Customers are inundated with shopping options, from small businesses to large corporations online. It’s important to remember that even in this saturated market, buyers still value human connection, excellent service and high-quality products and services. Taking the time to advertise your business carefully and strategically can help you stand out from the competition. Here are 15 of the best ways to advertise your business:
Establish a website
Potential customers love having a business website to visit, even if it’s simple. A website serves as a central place to share your brand story, information about products and services, updates, special events, and so on. All of this serves as a way to promote your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Claim your Google Business Profile
Once you have a website, claim your Google Business Profile, a free tool small businesses can use to manage how they appear in search results. Verifying your profile and listing means you appear on Google Maps and makes your business more trustworthy, which in turn drives more customers your way.
Create local listings
Third-party sites like Yelp, Bing, and the Better Business Bureau serve as directories for business listings, so be sure to get added to them. Add as much information as possible to your listing, including address, phone number, website and opening hours, and update it regularly as needed.
Prioritize social media
Although social media may seem overwhelming, it is a big part of successful advertising for businesses today. Connecting with your target audience via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) allows you to share content, answer questions and attract new customers.
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Use influencers
Many companies choose to utilize social media influencers to help with their advertising efforts. Local accounts with large followings are often receptive to partnering with businesses for promotions or giveaways, which helps increase their reach as well as yours.
Optimize your SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a completely free way to improve your website’s ranking in search results. Using relevant keywords, titles, images, and links helps Google and other engines find your site faster, which in turn brings you closer to the top of the results pages.
Start a blog
Another part of SEO is publishing high-quality content, and one of the easiest ways to do this is through a blog. Sharing content that provides value to your readers is an excellent form of passive advertising that can be done in many different ways. Think about creating posts that offer information, entertainment, testimonials and resources.
Run paid ads
Ad serving is a more expensive form of advertising, but it also offers a high return on investment. Paid advertising can be seen everywhere, from Google search results pages to social media, to appearing in the sidebars of the websites you are browsing.
Share interactive content
Improving the consumer experience through interactive content is another way to subtly advertise. Customers who are able to interact through e-books, quizzes or infographics enjoy these experiences and remember the brand that provides them with the content.
Host a webinar or workshop
Another way to promote your business is by sharing knowledge yourself, through a webinar or workshop. Hosting an online or in-person event where attendees can ask questions, gather information or learn a new skill is a highly effective way to make your advertising more personal.
Gather reviews
Receiving positive reviews from real people helps build momentum and legitimacy around your business. Potential buyers trust reviews posted on Google and Yelp before deciding to make a purchase, so take the time to ask for feedback from satisfied customers.
Go back to basics
Advertising has changed a lot over the years, but there is still value in many traditional methods. While business cards, magazine or newspaper ads, and paper correspondence may seem outdated, for some brands they are still a worthwhile investment for reaching certain target audiences.
Launch an email campaign
Email advertising campaigns are a low-cost way to reach new and existing customers. The key is to send emails strategically and ensure they add value, such as business or product updates, special events, and seasonal discounts.
Reward Loyalty
Customers love being rewarded for brand loyalty, which makes this another effective avenue for advertising. Offering thank yous like discount codes and freebies to customers who make purchases or refer your business to others is a way to get big results for a small price.
Local support
If you’re a small business, getting as involved as possible in your local community is another great form of advertising. Attending events, offering sponsorship, making in-kind donations, or volunteering with an organization or board gives you the opportunity to share about your business.
