Customer loyalty is incredibly important for any business. Repeat customers are known for being easier to sell to, spending more money, and promoting your business. Businesses are built on customer retention—the more people you’re able to reach in your area, the better your odds are of forming a pool of repeat consumers. If you’re interested in increasing your business’s profitability, check out our list of the most effective ways to reach local customers.
Maintain Social Media Presence
One of the easiest ways to reach people is to establish a social media presence. Update your accounts regularly and maintain a direct line of communication with your consumers. Shared posts, updates on your business, and announcing sales and new products are just a few of the things you can do to keep your followers engaged. Social media is a popular (and free!) advertising tool that has a huge impact on your business; be sure to keep up appearances.
Sponsor Local Events
Sponsoring local events is a great advertising technique to get your business’s name in the minds of local consumers. Typically, the event will list your business’s name in their promotion efforts with the local newspaper, radio, or television stations, providing a wide range of exposure.
Watch Online Reviews
Taking advantage of popular internet review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List is another great way to reach local customers. Make sure your business has a complete profile on these websites so customers can easily find you when they’re looking to leave a review. Periodically check in to see what customers are saying about your business. If there are any concerns, reply to these unsatisfied customers and do what you can to provide them with a solution to their problem. Review forums are a great platform to build a trustworthy relationship with your consumer base and show them that your business cares.
Utilize SEO Techniques
Search Engine Optimization can also help you reach more people in your area. Businesses use this technique to manipulate the SERPs (search engine result pages) so that their website appears before their competitors. Through factors such as technical SEO, keyword research, and planned content your company will be able to improve its search engine rankings, ultimately leading to increased traffic to your website.
Provide Coupons and Deals
Coupons and deals can be very beneficial to your business. Studies have shown that discounts and promotions can improve people’s lives, boost overall revenue, and positively influence purchases. Your business can distribute coupons in a variety of ways; we recommend including them on the back of grocery store receipts, in local newspapers and magazines, or through the mail.