Bend’s energetic community of creative thinkers is the ideal town to launch a local business. The growing town of 80,000 people cultivates opportunities. Bend supports our entrepreneurs with farmer’s markets, First Fridays and a downtown that fosters local boutiques and restaurants. According to the Source Weekly, Bend ranks as having the 7th strongest local economy in the nation. Local retailers return an average of 52 percent of sales versus 14 percent from chain stores. Building a local online presence can be one of the most powerful methods to increase the appeal of your business and rankings on search engines. If marketing seems overwhelming than you are not alone! Thankfully, four simple local SEO methods can improve your online local presence. You might be surprised by how many you are already familiar with.
4 Methods to Building a Local Presence Online
Online Directory Citations
Searching for “Your Business” on search engines is typically the first step to a consumer’s search. Listing your address, phone number, photo and products on directories can greatly increase your probability of being found online. Popular directories include Google+, DexKnows and Yelp. Yext will list your business on 50+ directories for a fee. Directory citations can be time consuming and Yext can save your valuable time.
Top Online Directories
Online Directory Reviews
Reviews are the online version of word-of-mouth marketing. Customers trust products that others have already experienced. For example, the number of restaurants in Bend is growing quickly, which is great for foodies but tougher for restaurant owners. Your reputation can be strengthened by a few good customer reviews. If a customer loved your enchiladas than it is more likely that another person who is craving Mexican food will visit your restaurant.
Benefits of Online Directory Reviews
- Confidence in your product
- Establish authenticity of product
- Businesses can determine customer’s likes and dislikes
- Create target keywords which is great for SEO
Social media profiles
Social media allows businesses to stay in touch with customers without the high cost. These days, most people are connected to social media. Your business profile allows you to communicate openly with new and existing customers. Almost all social accounts are free, with the opportunity for advertisement, if you choose. As of September 2014, Facebook served 1.2 billion monthly viewers. A “like”, “tweet” or “+1” can reach hundreds of users. Social media can advertise holiday discounts, social events or seasonal offers.
Top Social Media Accounts for Marketing
Google + Business Listing
A Google+ Business listing give you an immediate edge to local SEO. The listing shows up high in search rankings and allows you to list location, hours, products, services and contact information, and your customers to write reviews. Simply listing your business increases your rankings on Google. The Google Map can also easily show up on people’s mobile devices when they are on-the-go.
What Google+ Can Do For You
- Phone number and address
- Google Map
- Business description
- Personalized postings
The number of local businesses arising within Bend does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon! Your new business can increase conversions by building a local presence. Contact Pro Q Solutions for guidance on improving your SEO.