How to Grow a Local Business in a Digital World
Running a local business used to be about foot traffic, a great storefront, and word-of-mouth. While those still matter, growth in 2024 and beyond hinges on your digital presence. If you're a landscaper, dentist, roofer, or boutique gym, here's how to scale smart — online.
1. Don't Just Exist Online — Show Up With Purpose
Having a website is no longer optional, but simply having one isn't enough. It needs to:
- Load fast (under 3 seconds)
- Look great on mobile
- Clearly show what you do and how to contact you
Your site is your 24/7 salesperson. Treat it like one.
2. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
When someone searches "plumber near me," they're not going to page 2. Ranking in the Google Map Pack is mission-critical.
Steps:
- Claim your GBP listing
- Add photos of your work
- Respond to every review (good or bad)
- List accurate service areas and categories
3. Reviews Are Your New Word-of-Mouth
Ask happy customers to leave a Google review. Automate it. Incentivize it. Make it easy.
Pro tip: Don't buy reviews. They're fake and easy to spot.
4. Run Local Service Ads & Retargeting
Use Google's Local Service Ads to show up before your competition. Then use Meta (Facebook/IG) to retarget people who visited your site but didn't call. Simple. Cheap. Effective.
Conclusion
Growing a local business in today's world is about showing up online before the customer even knows what they need. Own your digital footprint and you'll own your market.
Ready to grow your local business?
Our team specializes in helping service businesses dominate their local market online.Contact us today for a free strategy session.
BigTechs.ai
We help service businesses like yours stand out online with professional websites and local SEO strategies. Our system helps local businesses appear at the top of Google searches with simple improvements anyone can implement—no technical skills needed.