Being a small business can be difficult online. Major chains can float through the internet and be spotted quite easily, making it harder for small independent companies to compete. However, there are things you can do to make yourself known to potential clients and customers.
Find your niche
The main way you can compete with big names is to target your services at a niche audience. Think about the industry you’re in and the type of services you offer. For example, if you are a coffee shop, what kind of customers would you like to bring in? Is it a family-friendly establishment? Do you provide plenty of plug sockets for students and freelancers to work? Does your venue have a space suitable for casual meetings? Think about what makes your business different and target those who you know will benefit from it the most.
Short-tail v Long-tail keywords
One thing that makes it difficult for businesses to be seen is to strive for only general keywords in searches. Instead, you may want to consider extending your keywords for Google AdWords and SEO. So, instead of finding yourself under “Ladies Boots”, try “Grey Ladies boots under £10”, or “Ladies boots for sale in Manchester.” Think about the specifics of your services and tailor your keywords around that.
Get personal
People don’t want to be “sold to” anymore. As a small business, your personality is what will get people on board. Personalise your site and social media profiles with what your team is up to, any charity events you may be supporting and much more. You should expect to see people take more notice of your business if you show yourself doing more.
Hire an external SEO expert
Of course, if you want to truly shine, you may want to consider hiring a local SEO expert for the job. At Search and More, we specialise in creating, managing and optimising our client’s online presence to ensure they get the most from what they put into their marketing. If you would like to learn more about the services we offer, get in touch to speak to a member of our team.
