Whether your company is based in a brick-and-mortar location or an online store, buying local is an important part of ensuring your success. Buying local reduces the environmental impact of travel and the production of greenhouse gases. It also helps promote sustainability and environmental accountability. Moreover, consumers tend to spend more money at local businesses than in online stores.
To be found in local searches, your website must be optimized for Google My Business. This will help your business get into the local 3-pack, the Knowledge Graph, and local maps. Also, make sure to use the appropriate keywords in your listing. This will help you generate more leads and increase the likelihood of your customers returning to your business.
You can also increase the reach of your business by using direct mail. It is a cost-effective way to reach consumers because it doesn’t require mailing lists or professional targeting. You can target prime neighborhoods and demographics. You can also make partnerships with other businesses in your area to increase your total outreach. However, you must make sure that the businesses have similar values and don’t compete with yours.
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They create two-thirds of all new jobs. They also drive the local economy. In addition, small businesses account for 25% of all US GDP. In addition, one-quarter of all US exports are produced by small businesses, and they account for six million jobs related to exports. The good news is that 72% of consumers are willing to spend more money with local businesses.
Your listing may appear prominently in Google’s search results. Additionally, Google might display a carousel of nearby businesses that are related to yours. In addition, you can specify your business hours and departments to Google. Moreover, you can add payment options to your listings. All this will help your business to become more efficient and profitable.
Your business needs to be visible in search engines to reach the maximum number of potential customers. Digitalization has changed the way customers find local businesses. In fact, 70% of American consumers support local businesses exclusively online. Furthermore, 57% of consumers admit to buying from a local business exclusively online. This statistic shows that local businesses are now becoming essential for attracting customers and generating profits.
To be eligible for certification, a company must operate a principal place of business within Howard County. To apply, submit a Local Business Initiative Certification Application. The application will also require your company to meet certain requirements. This will make your business more competitive compared to other companies. There is also a database where you can search for certified vendors.
