You’re looking for ways to drive traffic to your Local Business Website…

Gotta be quick, like today…

Gotta be cheap, better yet, Free… That Works!

Well here ya go…

With a little investment of time…

Here’re five of the quickest, easiest (and Free) ways to get drive traffic to your local business website today:

1.    Scout out Local Blogs. Add Value to the Conversation with Meaningful Comments
Blogs can be found on almost any subject so finding one that is interesting to your customers should be easy. For example, if your business relates to home improvement (handyman, paint store, hardware store, interior design, kitchen remodeler etc.)  look for home decor or real estate related blogs. Spend a few minutes reading though the recent posts and comments to get a feel of the community.

Go to Google Blog Search: search keyword plus your geographic area.

For example, “homes & gardens Lancaster,PA”

A blog with lots of comments and regular readers is the ideal place to post your comment. Remember a blog is a community, not a classified site. Offer some relevant information or contribute to the conversation. There is usually a spot for you to list your website in the same area where you enter your name and email address. Enter your website here and not in your post. Self-serving comments are usually quickly deleted, wasting your time and the blog owners. Don’t do it. If your comments are interesting people will look to your website for more information.

2.    Connect with others. Check out Local Message Boards /Forums
Many communities have message boards set up for talking about local events, politics, news and businesses. Check with the site rules (usually posted at the top of most boards) to see if links are allowed in forum postings. If so use this area to provide a link to your website at the bottom of each of your posts. This is another area where it pays to check out the community and observe before jumping in to the conversation. Be respectful. Be helpful. Set up a signature link that draws people to you without being in their face.

3.    Post ads on classified ad sites
There are sites, such as Craigslist, where classified ads are not only allowed they are welcomed. Write a brief, compelling ad and provide a link to your website for more information. You can repost your ad often, testing different formats and offers to find what works best.  (This is also a great, low cost way to test you ad copy for direct mail or other advertising as well).

4.    Exchange links or banner ads with other non-competing local businesses
Leverage the traffic of other local sites by exchanging links with a local site that caters to the same customers but is not in direct competition with you. For example, an insurance agent and a realtor.

5.    Add your business to local directories
Local directories often rank high on search engines for many different terms so being listed with them can only help build your traffic. Many offer free basic listings as well as paid premium listings. Consider a premium listing if your budget allows for it. It can give you a decisive edge over your competition.

More on Driving Traffic to Your Local Business Website:

• To Get And Maintain Website Traffic You Need Unique Quality Content (ronmedlin.com)
• Backlink Building – One Of The Most Reliable Online Business Growth Strategies (ronmedlin.com)

What’s Your Number One Current Marketing Challenge?

Is it…

• Driving traffic to your local business website?
• Generating leads from your local website?
• Identifying your target market… your Ideal Client?
• Figuring out how to use Social Media Marketing… Twitter, Facebook, YouTube?
• Communicating with current clients?
• Eliminating price shoppers?
• Something else?

Please share your Marketing Challenge in the Comments Below.

Photo Credit: Flickr