How to Promote a Business Locally on the Internet

People used to consult phone books to find contact informaton for local businesses, but today most individuals search online for the same info. So business owners must learn how to promote their businesses on the Internet if they want to expand their customer bases.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Set up an efficient website that includes the history of your business, the products and services you provide, prices, photographs, a map to your location and contact information. Include an email address associated with your website.

2. Optimize search engine results by using keywords all over your website that pertain to the location of your business, such as the name of the town and county, street names and landmarks and area attractions.

3. Trade website links with other local business. Recommendations for your business from a business the customer already trusts will bring more people to your doors.

4. Verify that your business listing information on online portal sites, such as the Internet version of the yellow pages, is accurate. Perform a search on these sites for your business name and make sure the address, phone number, website and map information are correct.

5. Include your website URL on all local advertisements, such as television and radio ads, billboards, fliers and business cards.

6. Implement email marketing into your advertising strategy. Obtain email addresses from current customers and send periodic updates and newsletters about your business. Provide a means of subscribing to your email newsletters on your website for new customers.