5 ways to turn online traffic into foot traffic

A lot of emphasis is placed on the digital realm when it comes to marketing these days. Nearly every business has a website and social media accounts, with the goal being to grow a following and gain website traffic.

When you own a local business that relies on local customers, having a lot of online traffic and many followers doesn’t necessarily equate to a lot of business. Owning a brick-and-mortar business requires foot traffic, not just web traffic.

So how can you turn your online community into a flourishing local community of loyal customers? Keep reading to find out.

It might seem like your online presence and marketing focus on getting online results, but that’s not true. You can use it to drive foot traffic to your physical location and make the sales you need. It just requires some strategic thinking and action.

Target your local area online

If you’re marketing on Facebook or running PPC ads, don’t just go after a broad group of people. Instead, start targeting your local area—and surrounding areas—specifically. After all, these are the people you need to give your business a boost.

But it’s not just about the online ads you run. It’s also about SEO. Make sure to include long-tail keywords that have your city’s name and your brand’s service or product throughout your website and blog. You can also tag your location on social media posts to stay more relevant locally.

In addition to these tips, be sure to create a thorough Google My Business listing. This will make your website more relevant in local online searches and allows you to share your business’ description, hours, and location upfront.

Make an unforgettable first impression

If you’re already driving local traffic to your site and not getting the results you want, then consider what kind of first impression you’re making. Is your website easy to navigate, well-designed, fast, and branded? If your site is lacking in any of these areas, users will lose interest in a matter of seconds.

The goal is to keep them on the site and guide them to multiple areas without bouncing. Make sure to take the time to optimize your site, and if necessary, hire a professional copywriter, SEO expert, or graphic designer to ensure everything is in tip-top shape.

Retarget website visitors

Unfortunately, most first-time website visitors won’t stop by your physical location after just one website visit. But don’t let that discourage you! Just make sure to include retargeting into your marketing strategy.

When visitors leave your website after clicking an ad or abandoning a cart, you can use that information to reconnect with them. Touching base will show that you care while keeping your brand fresh in their minds while researching competitors.

An excellent way to do this is through email marketing or retargeting ads. When you do this, remind them what sets your brand apart and even offer special discounts or promotions to entice them to return.

Encourage store visits

Now that you know the right audience to target, you have to communicate the right message to get them into your location. For example, show off items that are in your store or restaurant and mention that they’re “in-store only.” You can also offer discounts or specials that can only be redeemed in-store.

Build relationships

So you did all of the above, and now you got some more foot traffic. First of all, congrats! But the strategy doesn’t end there. You want to turn those first-time visitors into repeat, loyal customers.

Make sure whenever you make a sale that you deliver the best customer service possible. Get to know them, their needs, and don’t be afraid to share your business’ story. Taking the time out to build a connection will significantly increase brand loyalty and repeat visits.

Don’t just stick to online promotions

It’s easy to think that online marketing is the only type of marketing you need in today’s digitally-driven world, but that could be one of the biggest mistakes of all.

As a local business, you have even more opportunities to advertise through printed media.

That means utilizing postcards, flyers, posters, banners, and business cards as much as possible. These things give you the chance to engage with your target audience outside of the internet while also building local brand recognition.

If you’re a St. Louis based business, then Infantile Industries can help you grow your local customer base through expertly crafted commercial printing . We offer everything from custom signs, apparel, flyers, business cards, and more.