That moment when a new customer walks in exclaiming, “I had no idea you were even here!”—any brick-and-mortar business owner has been there! Do you tell them, “Yep, it’s been years…” or grit your teeth in frustration?

What if someone could help you make that conversation a thing of the past? Increasing your local visibility is totally doable. Here are some tricks of the trade:

1) Website SEO

One of the best ways to increase your local visibility is by optimizing your website for search engines. Here are some places to include your location:

• Page Titles and Meta Descriptions: Mention your location in your page titles and meta descriptions. For example, you might be “Boston’s Bookshop” or the “Bookshop of the North Shore.”
• Subheadings and Content: Include your location in subheadings and throughout your content, but make sure it serves your readers and isn’t just “stuffed” in.
• Images: If relevant, you can also add location information to your image descriptions.

via GIPHY

If you have a physical location, be sure to create a dedicated page that focuses on it. Include your city or town, like “easily accessible in [City/Town].” If you serve multiple towns or a broader geographic area, mention that as well: “also serving [Town1], [Town2], and [Town3].” The goal is to make it easy for people to find your location and for search engines to find you!

2) Optimized Social Profiles

Your social media profiles are another key area to optimize for local visibility. Here’s how:

• Include Your Address: Make sure your clickable, searchable address is included in all your profiles.
• Consistency: Keep your information consistent across all platforms.
• Broader Geographic Area: If you serve multiple towns, mention that too.
• Engage with Local Audience: Post about local events, community news, and share photos to engage with your local audience.
• Encourage Visits and Shares: Encourage your followers to visit your space and share their experience online.

3) Google Business Profile

Having a Google Business Profile is essential for local businesses. Here’s what to do:

• Claim Your Profile: If you haven’t already, be sure to claim your Google Business Profile.
• Complete Your Profile: Include business hours, photos, and customer reviews to enhance your listing.
• Engage: Respond to customer reviews and questions to show active engagement.

It’s Time to Make “I Had No Idea You Were Here” a Thing of the Past!

Imagine turning that all-too-common phrase from new customers—”I had no idea you were even here!”—into “I found you online and couldn’t wait to visit!”

By implementing even a few of these visibility strategies, you can transform that missed connection into a vibrant local following eager to walk through your doors.

Ready to Attract More Local Customers?

One key to building your audience is truly understanding them. Check out my post on using your Ideal Client Profile to start crafting content and strategies that resonate with your community.