I realize that most people who are reading this already understand the importance of internet marketing. My hope is that you will share this with the local bar and grill owner who doesn?t.
As an avid traveler and fan of a good road trip, I like to plan ahead by using various online tools like Google Maps, Trip Advisor, and reservation sites like Travelocity. These tools allow me to research local establishments in the areas I am visiting ahead of time and create a general list of to-do options before I leave. You of course have surely heard of all three of these web sites and no doubt have even used them. So I am not alone when it comes to researching and preparing for trips online prior to leaving.
What I have discovered however, is that many local businesses (especially restaurants) in rural areas are lacking any type of web presence. This matters because many travelers take to the internet to look up business hours, menus, reviews, addresses and other information. And thanks to smart phones and wireless tablets like an iPad, travelers can continue to do last minute research while on the road.
Not every traveler wants to stop at McDonald?s and many prefer to stop at the local town restaurant instead. If your business doesn?t make the information needed to discover your establishment available to out-of-towners, you are potentially losing out on thousands of dollars from extra business. Here are 3 super basic and easy things you can do to make it easier for internet savvy individuals (people ages 6 and up) to stop in.
Google Places for Business
This is a free service that will get your listing onto Google Maps. Anyone who has needed precise directions has most likely gone to Google Maps. Google has invested large amounts of time, effort and money (or pocket change for them) into creating the most accurate and informative location based service online.
As a business owner, you can create a listing that will allow you to appear on their map. So if a traveler is heading west on Interstate 80 in Nebraska around lunch time and is approaching the town of York, they can go to Google Maps and do a search for ?restaurants near York, Nebraska?
Here a listing can show the exact location, address and directions to the business. The listing can also include:
- Phone number
- Website address
- Links to specific pages on the website (i.e. a link to the menu)
- Service offerings or menu basics
- Photos
- Reviews
- Google?s own streetview of the establishment
What an easy and great way to bring in customers!
Google has also acquired Zagat, the long-time authority on restaurant reviews. They have integrated Zagat into their Google Places and Google+ social media accounts. So now these pages can also display Zagat scores and reviews. If you have a Google+ account (Google?s version of Facebook), you can see any reviews people you know have left on any business page.
Google isn?t the only search engine in town, there are also similar tools found within Bing and Yahoo.
Surprise! Facebook isn?t just for connecting with friends; it?s also for connecting with customers. Facebook is all about bringing communities together, so it is an ideal way for businesses to directly connect and draw in real customers to their establishments. Plus it?s free.
A Facebook business page is almost like a mini-website that takes very little time and effort to set up something basic. On this page, a business can post much of the same essential information as the Google Places account. And since it is like a mini-website, anyone who searches specifically for a business? name in a certain town on a search engine like Google or Yahoo! will more than likely find its listing.
The bonus is that pretty much everyone uses Facebook. So more than likely regular customers will find the page and ?like? it. This will allow the business to post direct messages onto the customers Facebook account because the customer has allowed them to.
As an example, a restaurant can post that this upcoming Tuesday is all-you-can-eat taco night for $9.99. This will alert all of the people who have ?liked? their page about this promotion and can draw in extra business.
Additionally customers can post comments and ask questions which an owner can respond instantly to.
Website
Having a website is such an obvious solution, yet many businesses still do not realize it. With a website, an owner can tell customers so much more about their establishment and offerings. The owner also has complete control over the look and information posted.
I do recommend that one hire a professional website designer to assist with the creation of the site. Finding an unprofessional, amateur website is like walking into a restaurant that was last decorated in 1987 by Sugarbakers.
Websites are especially great for businesses in more urban areas, as the competition is much greater there. So an owner will want to provide as much information as possible and create as many opportunities for a potential customer to find them.
It?s been said that 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Each day, more and more people turn to the internet first before they reach for the phone book when looking for a local place to eat or even for finding a local contractor.
Customers are knowledgeable and equipped with devices that allow them to look up information wherever and whenever they need to. Give them the chance to find your business by engaging in these 3 basic tactics and you can help your business stay ahead of the curve.
Source: http://blog.allwebpromotion.com/super-basic-marketing-strategies-for-local-businesses/
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