Lighthouse Marketing Inc. develops solid online marketing strategies for local businesses that want to grow their local customer base. We do this through responsive, inviting website design, creating custom content, and online marketing tactics that include competitive analysis, search engine optimization and social media integration.
Running a local business requires a lot of hard work, persistence and overall sound business decisions that will allow for added local market share and customer growth. What we have discovered is that small to medium sized businesses MUST rethink how to attract more local customers. Google has taken over the online search market and the majority of purchasers are using their smart phones and computers to find businesses locally.
The traditional ways of getting local customers are no longer ideal; Yellow pages and local newspapers no longer work the way they used to. We have seen a drastic decrease in the effectiveness of using these types of offline advertising strategies. Instead, we are seeing an ever-increasing shift from these mediums to effective online marketing strategies that focus on getting new customers locally.
We have consulted with all types of businesses and have identified 5 key areas that MUST be addressed if a local business truly wants to grow their customer base. Focusing on these 5 key components will be a giant step in the right direction.
1. Your local competitors are creating a website that looks professional, with an inviting look and feel
How many times have you Googled something and been directed to a local business that you think may be able to help you? However, when you visited the website it was ugly, confusing and just plain not a good experience.
What did you do?
Well, if you are like me you immediately clicked away from the website to go to one of their competitors. Your website represents your local business and if it does not provide what visitors are searching for, and invites them to pick up the phone to call you, you are losing potential business.
We can help your business by designing an attractive, inviting website that is geared toward your target market, and provides a great experience through simple, logical navigation and clear, persuasive language.
2. Your local competitors are creating a website that is mobile friendly
One of the most important things in developing a great website is to make sure that it is mobile friendly. Because of the huge number of smartphone users and the sheer volume of local searches done with smartphones, you had better make sure that your website is easy to read with an excellent call to action.
Did you know…
79% of local searches are on a mobile phone – How does your website look on a mobile device?
56% of all adults have a smartphone (91% of all mobile phone users have smartphones)
80% of mobile users use their devices for local search
78% of mobile phone searches resulted in a purchase or visit
Every website that Lighthouse designs is a mobile-friendly or responsive website. With the proliferation of mobile devices (and bearing in mind the stats above) it doesn’t make sense to have a older, static website. If you have an older website that needs to be converted, call us! We’d be happy to review your site and let you know what’s needed to incorporate the newest technology.
3. Your local competitors are developing a search engine optimization strategy
Creating and developing a website is not enough. This is probably one of the most common errors that business owners make regarding their website. Many local business owners think if they develop a website they will get more customers. In order to get more local customers an in-depth study, local competitive analysis, and a website audit MUST be first completed to allow for an effective online marketing strategy moving forward.
Once this report and analysis has been completed it is time to put together a successful online marketing strategy and we are experts; specializing in ranking local businesses on the first page of Google, usually in the top 3 positions. We’d love to show you some of the results we’ve achieved for our clients.
4. Your local competitors are developing a local social media strategy
Many of our existing customers have seen the excellent benefits of having a social media presence. Local businesses with a social media presence experience amazing results in their Google search rankings. As well, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to communicate and reach out to their local community.
Lighthouse Marketing Inc. can provide proof and case studies that will shed light on the benefits of having a social media presence and how it can literally set you apart from your local competition.
5. Your local competitors are meeting with us to consult and help with their overall online marketing strategy
In our meetings with a number of different local business owners, we encourage them to look at their current offline marketing budget (local newspaper, Yellow pages etc) and drastically decrease the amount they spend. We suggest ways of shifting a good portion of this offline advertising budget to a new online marketing strategy. In this way, the website and the ongoing marketing often pay for themselves in a short period of time with the added advantage of bringing in new customers.
At Lighthouse Marketing Inc. we want to know all about you and your business, your goals, your challenges, and who your competition is. To that end, we will meet with you for a free consultation, then develop a professional, inviting, relevant website (if you require a new website) that will invite visitors to call your business to get more information, or encourage them to buy.
Call Lighthouse Marketing Inc. today for a FREE no obligation consultation!
