As we come into the fourth quarter in 2020, we should know how the ground lays in terms of our business strategy. Perhaps you have moved your business online or re-imagined it in some way. Whatever your quick-fix solution has been this year, it’s definitely worth preparing your business for a successful winter season. We’re sure this can be accomplished with some insightful local SEO strategy, even in a challenging year such as this one.
Know Your Customer Base
Do you know what products and services are in high demand in your local area? What about hard to find products, what are they? And what is the preferred payment method these days? Survey software can give you exact answers to these questions and more for a small monthly investment that could prove indispensable for winter 2020. Survey software will tell you what products customers are having trouble finding, and what hours of operation are most suitable for them.
Put Your Heart Into it
There are brands you love and forgettable ones. Then there are the in-between ones, you might buy from them, but you’re basically indifferent. The ones we’re interested in are the ones you love. What is it about them that makes you a committed customer? Is it their friendly customer service, their social responsibility, or their commitment to diversity? Think about how your brand ticks. What connects your brand to customers in a meaningful way. But remember, your intelligent customers will see through a false flag.
Be Super Accessible
With many brick and mortar stores closed up this year and strict social distancing measures in place, the internet has become the hub of communication activity between brands and customers. If you haven’t already, you need to list your business in GoogleMyBusiness and keep it up-to-date. GMB is the number one way for customers to get in touch with your website, discover what you have on offer, and find out delivery details. Additionally, open up your social media channels and consider micro-blogging on the holiday period.
Embrace Local E-Commerce
Since the start of 2020, there has been a 30%+ rise in online sales according to a recent Internet survey. Since we are still in the middle of the pandemic, these numbers are fairly reliable and should be considered coming into the winter season. At the local business level, you can do yourself a massive favor but understanding the preferred method of delivery in your local area. This can be using survey software and e-commerce functions on your website. Put your products front and centre online and promote your local delivery options.
Make the Most of Reviews
Reviews are one of the best and most direct routes to customer engagement and optimization. Even bad reviews should be embraced as an opportunity to adjust your business model. Use predictive analytics and performance or software tools to keep track of all incoming reviews; you might even assign a member of staff to read, respond, and report on the data coming in. Keeping track of your local reviews in this way will help you to optimize your business and get a read on what your local audience actually behaves.