Local Search Customers

Number one secret to getting more local search customers

Local search customers are people who are searching the internet for a product or service provider in their local area. It has become more popular for people to use the internet than to seek out their local phone directory when they are looking for something local and as a local business it is important you get their attention.

Using an example if I was on a business trip in an area I wasn’t familiar with and wanted something to eat I would type in “Italian restaurant in X” – With X being the local area name or postcode.

When the map comes up and shows me that in fact I am five minutes away from three local restaurants I can now decide which one to choose. By doing that search I have now become one of the local search customers these businesses will want to attract.

So how do you make sure that I choose your local business as the place I eat at?

There is one thing you can do that will work time and time again and ensure you attract new local search customers looking to buy – you offer an incentive.

The incentive can be anything you like but you need to make sure it is easy for them to take advantage of depending on whether they are at home or searching while out in the local area.

Coupons

Coupons make great incentives and you can offer up a coupon that someone can download, print off and show when they visit your business. Of course if I happen to be mobile and not near a printer a coupon won’t help me to take advantage of this discount so you may also want to think about.

A percentage discount

Tell people to mention it is their first visit to take advantage of a 10% discount on your product/service. You may ask them to quote a code or to say a phrase – whatever you like. You just need to ensure that you are sure they have seen the offer on your website, and of course you need to remember their face!

You might want to tell them to take advantage of the 10% offer they have to add their details to your database and that will also give you an added advantage of being able to send them future offers by email/post/mobile (which they can opt out of at any time of course)

Think about incentive programs that are relevant for your customer and relate to your business, it will be different depending on your size and what you offer.

Whether it is a loyalty program that provides an incentive for repeat business, the opportunity to be placed in a draw to win a prize or something as simple as giving out a free pen/mug incentives really work to help you bring in new customers and keep them around.

Remember too that you double your chances of building a regular income if you use your incentive as a way to build a subscriber list because you can continually send out information and offers.