6 Internet Marketing Tips for Local DC Businesses
If your local DC business wants to attract and convert more customers online, you came to the right place.
The development of the Internet has created many new opportunities for your business to reach consumers. On this page, we’ll take a look at six tips for creating successful Internet marketing campaigns.
Keep reading to learn more, or contact us to speak with a strategist today.
1. Use search engine optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization (SEO) is extremely valuable because it boosts your website’s rankings in search results for keywords and phrases related to your business.
If you aren’t using SEO right now, do a quick Google search for your business. Think of a phrase a consumer would type in to find your business (like “plumbers in Washington DC”).
Look at the first page of results. Do you see your website anywhere? If your website isn’t on the top page of results, people won’t find you.
Ideally, you want to rank in the first three result listings because they have the highest clickthrough rates (CTR) of all the positions.
As a local DC business, you can also utilize local SEO. Local SEO focuses on helping you reach more local customers in your area, and it targets people searching online for products or services related to your business.
Google My Business is a helpful tool for local DC businesses. By creating a listing with Google My Business, you can share important info like how to contact your business, photos, and updates about your company.
This feature also allows you to review and respond to reviews people leave about your business.
Google My Business listings appear when people conduct “near me” searches or search for a specific type of a business in an area. And it’s a great way to gain exposure for your business and help consumers find you.
2. Create valuable content
Creating and posting helpful content helps drive qualified traffic to your website.
Content marketing includes written information like articles on your website, blogs, and guides. And it also refers to visual content like infographics, photos, and videos.
Consumers are constantly seeking out information. They want answers to their questions and want to go to trusted professionals to find it. Your content contains information that potential customers want to know.
For example, you can use content to address helpful tips, frequently asked questions, and key information about your business that helps to move readers through the sales funnel.
Let’s say you own a car dealership or an auto body shop. Winter is quickly approaching and people are searching for information on how to winterize their cars. So, you create a blog post about the steps people can take to do that.
People find your blog post. They read all the helpful information and put it to work.
This content isn’t always going to bring immediate conversions. You may get an immediate conversion if someone sees that winterizing their car is too big of an undertaking and they would rather have a professional do it.
The point is people will remember your business. If they don’t convert right away, they will remember you provided the helpful information. When they need services you provide, they’ll remember your blog, and they will be more likely to pick your business over another because of the information.
Content marketing allows you to become an authority in your field. Consumers trust your business more when they read helpful content you create.
3. Update your website
First impressions are crucial. Your website is the first impression someone gets of your business.
You need to make sure your website is updated in all aspects, especially design. Poor website design will send visitors searching for the back button.
They want to see websites that are clean and colorful. A boring website won’t keep consumers browsing.
Your navigation also needs to be updated. Complicated navigation creates frustration for consumers. Make sure your navigation is simple and easy to use.
For example, you can add a navigation bar at the top of your site that has clear titles and helps visitors easily find the information they need.
If you are posting information that changes with time, you’ll want to update that too. If you change a product or service, you need to add the necessary updates to your service pages. You don’t want users to come across old information, so make sure to keep your pages current so users get the most recent information.
4. Send personalized emails
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective methods of advertising. It’s estimated that for every $1 spent, you make $40 in return. This gives you a great return on investment (ROI).
You can make the most of your investment by personalizing emails. You can personalize emails by using someone’s name or including similar products to ones they looked at before.
Personalized email messages have a strong effect on consumers, and they encourage them to purchase. Emails that have a personalized message improve CTR by 14% and boosts conversion by 10%.
Personalization has a strong effect because consumers feel as though the company is talking to them. They anticipate that the email will be pertinent or tailored to their likes and needs. It entices people to open it more than a generic email.
If you are using email marketing, you’ll want to make sure you are personalizing your emails whenever you can. It will help you build a better relationship with your potential consumers.
5. Maintain a presence on social media
With social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, you can connect with current and potential customers for free.
These free sites are great because they only cost time if you use them at a basic level. There are options to create paid advertisements on these social sites, but the base price is free.
Social media platforms are a great way to share content and connect with consumers. You can generate more buzz around your business by posting updates and interesting information.
In addition, if people have questions about your business, products, or services, they can ask you directly on social media. And you can provide them with the information they need to move them through the sales funnel.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Internet marketing is a huge undertaking. If you are utilizing multiple methods, it can feel overwhelming. It’s more things for you to juggle, all while running your business.
This doesn’t mean that you should forego internet marketing altogether. What it does mean is that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.
Old City Interactive is a top Internet marketing company, and we can help your local DC business create an Internet marketing plan to reach and convert more customers.
Let Old City Interactive help you
At Old City Interactive, we don’t want you to miss out on the benefits of Internet marketing. We know how important it is to help your business thrive in the digital world.
We’ll help you create a plan that works best for your business and your budget. Give us a call today, and we’ll get you started on creating your ideal Internet marketing plan!