Online Marketing for Rural Businesses
The Internet has made rural businesses every bit as visible and connected as their urban counterparts. No longer is your clientele limited to geographical proximity.
The fact remains that any business, whether in the city or the country, must have a web presence in order to be relevant. Furthermore, rural business owners are uniquely positioned to capitalize on several amazing advantages of a rural location and operation.
LinkNow Media has assembled this list of digital marketing tips and tricks, with a special emphasis on the significance to country-based business owners. From your perch amid the tranquility of rural life, reap the benefits of urban technology, connectivity, and promotion!
Local SEO in Rural Areas
Rural areas will typically have fewer competitors in each industry—particularly online. Therefore, the payoff for your high-ranking SEO keywords is likely going to be faster and easier. You also have way better ranking potential for your business and industry.
Make sure to set up your Google My Business listing with your (up-to-date!) business name, address, and phone number. In local SEO, we call this information your NAP. Your NAP allows people to find your business listing when they search on Google Maps. Make sure it’s correct!
Once you have your Google My Business listing set up, make sure you clean up your NAP on other business listing databases like Yellow Pages, Facebook, Yelp, SuperPages, etc.
And if you need help with a NAP clean-up or with managing your local SEO, why not contact the local SEO experts at LinkNow Media? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Websites for Rural Businesses
Even with the geographical distance between homes and business, news seems to travel faster in the country than anywhere else. Word-of-mouth and reputation also take on a special significance in close-knit rural communities.
For this reason, it is crucial that your rural business, regardless of industry or specialization, has a streamlined and navigable website. Consider what you’d want to see on a business website— mission statement, services or products, a short profile of your organization’s history and purpose. Showcase your abilities at their best.
Country residents are known to place special importance on supporting local businesses— if they can find you, they will do just that!
Connect with Your Community on Social Media
Harness the power of social media and interact with your clients in entirely new ways!
Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are the perfect visual platforms to display your products and services. However, the promotional aspects are just the beginning. Your social media pages create ideal discussion forums, where you can keep clients updated and give them a platform to ask questions.
Consider featuring video marketing content on your social media pages. Research shows that clients are 85% more likely to purchase a product if they’ve seen it in a video! Video marketing is a fantastic medium— whether you approach it with humor, drama, or simple spoken dialogue. It is simple and effective.
Your local clients will appreciate the chance to foster relations and learn more about what you bring to the table!
Need Help Marketing Your Rural Small Business?
Of our 10 000+ clients, a huge percentage are rural business owners. Over the years, we’ve developed specialized strategies that help rural businesses succeed online.
And we want you to take advantage. Whether you need to stand out on Google Maps or on Google searches, we have a plan that’ll get you the leads you need to run a thriving business.
Leave us a comment below or contact us at 1.888.667.7186!
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