Are you thinking about setting up a local business? If so, then it’s important to be aware that the requirements and challenges are not the same as running a website online. Instead, you need to think about how to make your business stand out in a much smaller environment where there could still be a lot of competition. This is easier said than done. So, let’s explore 9 of the key strategies that you do need to consider here and get right.
By Team Savant
Image: Tim Mossholder
Sustainability
First, you need to make sure that you are thinking in terms of sustainability. The right choices in terms of sustainability will mean that it is far easier for you to stand out because your business will be perceived as green. This is more important than you might realise today with a lot of clients being aware that eco conscious businesses are playing an important role in helping the planet. So, how can you make your business more sustainable without making things too complicated? Well, there are a few possibilities to explore here. For instance, you might want to think about your business packaging. Using sustainable materials is a great way to ensure that your business is green without it weighing down your business model.
Location
Location, location, location. This is something that you need to keep in mind when you are in the throes of setting up your business because it will have a tremendous impact on your company in the future. For instance, your location could determine how much foot traffic you are likely to receive. That’s important, particularly if you don’t have a strong social presence. Although we are going to look at how to market your local business online, ensuring that you gain a solid level of interest from your business clients.
Deliveries
You should make sure that you are thinking about exploring how to improve your deliveries. The simplest answer here is to cut out delays with your deliveries and guarantee that they are completed as quickly as possible. This is usually far easier for smaller companies as their team are always going to have far less distance to travel which is great news. You just need to ensure that you are checking the perception of whichever delivery solution you choose to use in the future.
SEO
SEO is key if you want to guarantee that your business is going to be found online. If you don’t have SEO it’s akin to setting up a business in a location without putting a sign outside the door. It’s important to note that the SEO strategy you need is not the same as the one that you would use for an online company. Instead, you need to make sure that you are exploring the right local SEO strategy. This will help ensure that your business appears for the right company in Google business when they are looking for a company offering services or products like yours in the local area.
Team Members
It’s always worth thinking about your team members when you are running a company like this. Without the right team members in place, then your company is going to struggle to stand out from the crowd of other companies in your area. It’s also why you might want to think about hiring a recruitment agent. They will complete the legwork for you and ensure that only the best CVs and resumes land on your desk. This will mean that you never have to worry about accidentally hiring someone who is not going to live up to the potential of your company in the future.
Community Efforts
If you want to appeal to a local audience then you need to make sure that you are thinking about what is going to appeal to them specifically. Again, there are lots of different possibilities worth exploring here. For instance, you might want to think about how you can help improve the local community with your business. Of course, this does mean that you need to have your ear to the ground and understand what’s going on in the local area around your business.
Guerilla Makreting
Another point worth thinking about is guerilla marketing. This is something that’s a cut above the traditional marketing strategy. Due to this, you can use it to make far more of an impact overall. For instance, you might want to think about putting someone outside your business with a mic to engage with potential customers. This can be a strong strategy if you are setting up a company in an urban environment with a high level of foot traffic.
Web Design
Another point worth thinking about is web design in your company. The right web design strategy will ensure that your business does not turn off customers. You might think that if you’re running a local business then a website is going to be less important. This might be true, but it’s still going to have an impact overall. A lot of customers will check your business website before the decide to visit your company in person in the future.
Products or Services
Finally, you need to make sure that you are thinking in terms of your products and services. These need to be built and designed to the highest standard of quality. An issue with quality is the easiest way to ensure that your business looks worse than a significant competitor. If you are worried about how to ensure that your products and services do stand out, then it’s best to think about speaking to a marketing consultant. They will be able to help you get on the right path in the future.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should take to ensure that your local business is going to stand out in the future. In doing so, you can guarantee that you obtain the level of success that you hoped for on the market, when your first conceived of your original business idea.