There are lots of ways small businesses can grow, and although you might first think of bigger teams, new markets, and more locations, for a lot of them, the best growth strategy is actually thinking local. That’s what can be one of the most effective ways to build a strong reputation, get loyal customers, and have a business that stands the test of time. And with that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how small businesses can grow by thinking local.
Local Doesn’t Mean Limiting
You don’t have to limit yourself and your business plans if you want to think local – in fact, there are some great benefits to staying in one spot, at least for a little while, and one of them is that you can get your foundations in place and be sure you’re working in the right way before you start to expand in other ways. The point is, when your business is known and trusted in your own community, that reputation can get you a lot further than almost anything else.
It also helps that local audiences are much easier to understand, and you can tailor your products, services, and messages around what you already know people actually want, rather than trying to please everyone everywhere. If you can be that focused, you’ll save money and you’ll be able to stand out more.
Use Digital Marketing
Something to bear in mind is that even if your goal is to reach people nearby, you’ve still got to be visible online, and good digital marketing is what can make that happen for you. When it’s done right, you’ll show up in search results when people add ‘near me’ to their searches, for example, and as long as you also keep your website up to date and have a consistent brand voice on every platform you use, you’ll soon find a good, local audience to support you.
It’s best to start with the basics, as always, which means making sure your business appears on Google Maps, complete with opening hours, photos, and ideally some recent reviews too. Then you can use social media to share updates, behind-the-scenes stories, customer testimonials, and so on. And paid advertising is a good idea as well, especially when it comes to the more local level because instead of casting a pretty wide net, you can target ads to your region, meaning you’ll reach the people you know want to buy from you.
Collaborate With Other Local Businesses
Partnerships are also one of the most underrated ways to grow because when you collaborate with other local businesses, you can expand your reach and strengthen community ties at the same time – always a good thing to do. For example, a cafe might partner with a nearby bakery, or a fitness studio could team up with a local clothing shop, and so on.
These connections are great for reaching new audiences, and they’ll show customers you care about the local area you’re part of. People love to see local businesses work together, and it’s only going to improve your reputation if you do it.
