Attracting local clients is more essential than ever for businesses looking to thrive in their communities. Local SEO, a powerful and often underutilized tool, can significantly boost your visibility to nearby potential customers. At GoMarketing, we specialize in helping businesses utilize local SEO to boost traffic and drive sales. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to harness the power of SEO to attract clients in your area.

What is Local SEO and How Does It Work?

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on improving your online presence to draw in more business from local search queries. These searches are conducted on platforms like Google and often include phrases with local intent, such as “best plumbers near me” or “plumbers in [city].”

How Does Local SEO Work?

Local SEO works by emphasizing local signals to search engines. When someone performs a search with local intent, search engines consider various factors to deliver the most relevant results. These factors include:

• Google My Business Signals: Information from your Google My Business profile, such as proximity, category, and keywords.
• On-Page Signals: Presence of NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information and keywords on your website.
• Online Reviews: Quantity and quality of reviews on Google and other review sites.
• Citations: Online listings that include your business name, address, and phone number across different websites.
• Behavioral Signals: Click-through rates, mobile clicks to call, check-ins, etc.
• Social Signals: Engagement on your social media profiles.

Optimizing these elements enhances your chances of appearing in local search results, map packs, and increasing your visibility among local searchers.

Why Local SEO is Important for Your Business

In a world where consumers rely heavily on search engines to find local services, local SEO ensures your business stands out. Local searches will often lead to higher conversion rates because they are performed by users who are ready to make a purchase or require a service immediately. For example, someone searching for “best HVAC company near me” is likely looking for a company to help them right away, making them a highly motivated customer. By optimizing for local SEO, you position your business to capture these high-intent customers, ultimately driving more foot traffic, inquiries, and sales.

Local SEO Strategies to Utilize

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

Your Google My Business (GMB) listing is a critical component of local SEO. It’s often the first point of contact between you and potential clients. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Claim Your Listing: If you haven’t already, claim your business on Google My Business.
• Complete Your Profile: Fill out all the information, including your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
• Choose the Right Categories: Select categories that best represent your business to help Google understand what services you offer.
• Add Photos and Videos: Visual content can attract more views and increase engagement.
• Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews can boost your ranking and attract more clients. Respond to reviews to show that you value customer feedback.

2. Optimize with Local Keywords

Your website needs to be optimized for local keywords to rank well in local search results. Here’s how to do it:

• Conduct Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz, or Ahrefs to find local keywords relevant to your business.
• Incorporate Keywords Naturally: Include local keywords in your website’s meta titles, descriptions, headers, and content.
• Create Location-Based Content: Develop blog posts, landing pages, and service pages that focus on local topics and include local keywords.
• Add a Local Schema Markup: This code enables search engines to recognize the geographical location of your business, thereby enhancing your visibility in local searches.

3. Build Local Citations and Listings

Citations refer to online listings of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). Ensuring these citations are consistent and accurate can greatly improve your local SEO performance.

• Submit to Local Directories: Ensure your business is listed in local directories like Yelp, Yext, and industry-specific sites.
• Check for NAP Consistency: Ensure that your NAP information is consistent across all listings to prevent confusion for search engines.
• Use Data Aggregators: Services like Moz Local or BrightLocal can help manage your listings and ensure consistency.

4. Create High-Quality Local Content

Creating quality content that speaks to your local audience can improve engagement and help you rank better in local searches.

• Blog About Local Events and News: Share your insights on local events, news, and trends that are relevant to your industry.
• Highlight Local Customer Stories: Feature case studies or testimonials from your clients to build trust and authority.
• Develop Local Resource Pages: Create guides or resource pages that provide valuable information about your area.

5. Optimize for Mobile and Voice Search

As mobile devices and voice search assistants become more prevalent, optimizing for mobile and voice search is essential for effective local SEO.

• Ensure Mobile-Friendliness: Use responsive design to make sure your website looks great and functions well across all devices.
• Focus on Local Intent Keywords: Voice searches often include local intent keywords like “near me” or “in [city].” Optimize your content to address these queries.
• Speed Up Your Website: A fast-loading website improves user experience and can positively boost your search rankings.

6. Leverage Social Media for Local Engagement

Using social media platforms can amplify your local SEO by attracting more traffic and promote higher engagement.

• Engage with Local Audiences: Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to connect with local customers and participate in community conversations.
• Promote Local Content: Share your local blog posts, events, and promotions on social media to increase visibility.
• Use Location Tags and Hashtags: When posting, use location tags and relevant local hashtags to reach a broader audience.

7. Monitor and Measure Your Local SEO Performance

Consistently tracking and evaluating your local SEO efforts helps you to make informed decisions and refine your strategy.

• Use Google Analytics: Track website traffic, user behavior, and conversions from local search.
• Check Google Search Console: Monitor your search performance and identify any issues that need addressing.
• Track Rankings with Local SEO Tools: Tools like Moz, SEMrush, or BrightLocal can help you track your local keyword rankings and overall SEO performance.

Why You Should Hire a Digital Marketing Company

While local SEO can significantly enhance your business’s visibility and attract more clients, it can be complex and time-consuming to manage effectively on your own. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a digital marketing company like GoMarketing:

• Expertise: Digital marketing companies have the knowledge and experience to implement effective local SEO strategies. They stay updated on the latest trends and algorithm changes to ensure your business remains competitive.
• Time Savings: Managing local SEO requires ongoing effort and attention. By hiring professionals to handle your SEO needs, you can focus on running your business.
• Access to Advanced Tools: Digital marketing agencies have access to premium SEO tools and resources that can provide deeper insights and more effective optimization.>
• Comprehensive Local Strategy: A professional digital marketing company can create a comprehensive local SEO strategy tailored to your specific business needs and goals.
• Improved ROI: With expert management, your local SEO efforts are more likely to yield positive results, leading to a higher return on investment through increased traffic, leads, and sales.

Summing Up

Local SEO is a powerful tool for attracting clients in your area and growing your business. By following these strategies, you can enhance your online presence, connect with your local customers, and drive more traffic to your website. At GoMarketing, we are dedicated to helping home services businesses and more succeed with tailored digital marketing solutions. Contact us at 805-413-7893 to learn how we can help your business optimize your local SEO strategy and achieve your business goals.

The post Boost Your Business with Local SEO Strategies to Attract More Customers appeared first on GoMarketing.

Online Reviews to Boost Your SEO Strategy

Online reviews have become an integral part of consumers’ decision-making process. For home service businesses, in particular, leveraging the power of online reviews is crucial for enhancing their online visibility, reputation, and ultimately, their search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. In this article, we will explore the importance of online reviews for home service companies, how they can positively impact local SEO, and the benefits they bring to businesses. We’ll also delve into the significance of Google My Business and provide valuable insights on how GoMarketing can help you leverage the potential of online reviews to boost your SEO strategy.

Importance of Online Reviews for Home Service SEO

Online reviews play a pivotal role in home service SEO, as search engines increasingly prioritize user-generated content when determining search result rankings. Here’s why online reviews are essential for your home service business:

» Enhanced Local SEO

Online reviews provide search engines with valuable signals of your business’s credibility and authority, which are critical factors for local SEO. Positive reviews act as a vote of confidence, leading search engines to consider your business as reliable and trustworthy. As a result, your website and Google My Business profile are more likely to rank higher in local search results.

» Increased Visibility and Click-through Rates

Reviews also impact click-through rates (CTRs) for home service businesses. Potential customers are more likely to click on listings with positive reviews, leading to increased website traffic and potential conversions. This higher CTR indicates to search engines that your business is relevant to users’ search queries, further boosting your SEO efforts.

» User-Generated Content and Freshness

Search engines value fresh, relevant content, and online reviews contribute to this by continuously generating user-generated content. Each review adds unique keywords, phrases, and long-tail queries, expanding the breadth of your website’s content. Regularly updated content signals search engines that your website is active, leading to improved SEO performance.

Also Read: Top 10 Digital Marketing and SEO Actions to Take for Home Services Companies

Benefits of Online Reviews for Businesses

The benefits of online reviews extend beyond SEO. Here are some key advantages that businesses in the home services industry can gain:

» Social Proof and Trust

Online reviews serve as social proof, influencing potential customers’ trust in your business. Positive reviews highlight your expertise, reliability, and customer satisfaction, fostering trust and encouraging new customers to choose your services over competitors.

» Reputation Management

Monitoring and responding to online reviews allow you to actively manage your business’s reputation. Addressing both positive and negative feedback demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and showcases your responsiveness. This proactive approach builds a positive reputation and fosters customer loyalty.

» Customer Insights and Feedback

Online reviews offer valuable insights into customers’ experiences, preferences, and pain points. Analyzing customer feedback helps you identify areas for improvement and refine your service offerings. By actively responding to reviews, you can show customers that their opinions matter, fostering stronger relationships.

» Competitive Advantage

Having a strong online review presence gives you a competitive edge. When potential customers compare similar home service providers, positive reviews can be the deciding factor in their decision-making process. A stellar review profile sets you apart from competitors and positions your business as a trusted industry leader.

Responding to Positive Reviews

Responding to positive reviews is just as important as addressing negative ones. Here’s how you can effectively respond to positive reviews:

» Show Appreciation

Begin by expressing your gratitude and appreciation for the positive review. Thank the customer for taking the time to share their experience and choosing your services.

» Personalize Your Response

Tailor your response to the specific content of the review. Highlight specific details or aspects mentioned by the customer to show that you have read and acknowledged their feedback.

» Reinforce the Positive Experience

Reiterate the positive aspects highlighted in the review. Emphasize the customer’s satisfaction with your services and the value they received. This reinforces their positive experience and showcases your commitment to delivering exceptional service.

» Encourage Future Business

Take the opportunity to invite the customer to return for future services. Let them know that you look forward to serving them again and maintaining their satisfaction.

Responding to Negative Reviews

While positive reviews are invaluable, negative reviews can also present opportunities for growth and improvement. When facing a negative review, keep the following in mind:

» Stay Calm and Professional

Take a deep breath and approach the situation with a calm and professional demeanor. Responding in a defensive or confrontational manner will only escalate the situation.

» Address the Issue Promptly

Respond to negative reviews promptly to show that you value customer feedback. Acknowledge the customer’s concerns, apologize if necessary, and offer a resolution to rectify the situation. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.

» Take the Conversation Offline

Whenever possible, provide contact information or encourage the reviewer to reach out privately to discuss the issue further. This allows you to address the problem in a more personal and private setting.

How to Get More Online Reviews

To generate more online reviews and strengthen your online presence, consider the following strategies:

1. Request Reviews: Reach out to satisfied customers and politely ask them to leave a review on relevant platforms. Personalize your request and make it easy for them by providing direct links or instructions.
2. Incentivize Reviews: Offer a small incentive, such as a discount or a free service, to customers who leave a review. However, ensure that your approach complies with the policies of the review platforms you use.
3. Streamline the Review Process: Make it as simple as possible for customers to leave a review. Include review links or buttons on your website, in email signatures, and on social media platforms. The easier it is for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do so.

Business Reviews on Social Media Platforms

To maximize your online review presence, it’s essential to utilize popular social media platforms where customers can leave reviews. Here are some key platforms to consider:

» Google Reviews

Google reviews are highly influential as they appear prominently in search results. Claim and optimize your Google My Business profile to encourage customers to leave reviews on your listing.

» Facebook Reviews

Facebook provides a platform for customers to review your business, recommend your services, and share their experiences. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Facebook Page.

» Yelp Reviews

Yelp is a popular platform for customers to discover and review businesses. Claim your Yelp Business Page and actively engage with customers who leave reviews.

» Industry-Specific Platforms Reviews

Depending on your home service niche, there may be industry-specific platforms or directories where customers can leave reviews. Examples include Houzz for home improvement services or Angie’s List for contractors. Identify relevant platforms in your industry and optimize your presence there.

The Importance of Google My Business

When it comes to online reviews and local SEO, Google My Business (GMB) is an invaluable platform for home service businesses. Here’s why GMB should be a key focus for your online review strategy:

» Local Search Visibility

A well-optimized Google My Business profile increases your chances of appearing in local search results, especially on Google Maps. Positive online reviews on Google My Business act as social proof, attracting more clicks and driving traffic to your website.

» Customer Engagement

Google My Business allows customers to leave reviews, ask questions, and interact with your business directly. Engaging with customers on this platform demonstrates your commitment to customer service and boosts your online reputation.

» Business Information and Insights

Google My Business enables you to provide essential information about your home service business, such as contact details, business hours, and service areas. Keeping this information up to date ensures that potential customers can easily reach you and have accurate expectations. Additionally, Google My Business offers valuable insights into customer behavior, such as the number of views and actions taken on your profile, allowing you to analyze customer engagement and make informed marketing decisions.

» Google Knowledge Panel

A well-optimized GMB profile can lead to your business being featured in the Google Knowledge Panel, a prominent display that appears alongside search results. The Knowledge Panel showcases key information about your business, including reviews, contact details, website link, and even photos. This increased visibility enhances your online presence and further boosts your credibility in the eyes of potential customers.

Summing Up

In the dynamic world of online marketing, leveraging the power of online reviews is a game-changer for home service businesses. At GoMarketing, we understand the significance of online reviews in boosting your SEO and helping your business stand out from the competition. Our home services digital marketing expert team is well-versed in creating effective digital marketing strategies that harness the potential of online reviews to drive more leads and conversions for your business. Don’t miss out on the tremendous benefits of online reviews. Contact us today at (805) 413-7893 to embark on a journey towards enhanced visibility, a stellar reputation, and long-term success in the home services industry. Let’s make your business shine!

The post The Power of Online Reviews for Home Service SEO appeared first on GoMarketing.

You need clients to survive in business. But you’ve got plenty of competition, considering the US has over 118,000 heating and air conditioning contractors. 

The industry looks promising, though. According to Statista, the global HVAC market will hit $367.5 billion by 2030. Further, it is projected the US HVAC market to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 6.0% in the next 6 years. 

Even if the above figures point to increased opportunities, you must work towards a competitive edge that will keep your business flourishing. This blog post will teach you how to get HVAC customers for free or close to it this year. 

What is an HVAC Lead?

An HVAC lead is a person or business interested in heating and cooling services. The prospects can demonstrate interest by requesting a quote or more information about a particular HVAC service or product.

While you might buy HVAC leads, that could do more damage than good to your business. You run the risk of wasting money on low-quality or unverified prospect data, not to mention the enormous energy and time required to nurture uninterested parties towards sales. 

Furthermore, buying HVAC leads doesn’t just create a false sense of meaningful marketing activity. It could also harm your reputation. You want to avoid the impression that you use underhand techniques to find prospects. 

Remember that some HVAC lead companies charge an upfront fee without guaranteeing expected results. It is not surprising that their level of customer service declines once they pocket your money. 

And so the question is: how do you get free HVAC leads? The following section will guide you on becoming an HVAC lead pro without spending a fortune. 

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Free HVAC Lead Generation Techniques

Optimize Your HVAC Website

Most HVAC contractors have a website, but only a few sites get the phone ringing and generate qualified leads.

Your website is the first impression most people have of your HVAC company. More importantly, it plays a significant role in how search engines decide whether to show your business on the organic results pages. Consider that most HVAC repair shoppers run a search online before booking an appointment. 

If you don’t have an optimized website, it doesn’t matter how many people search for air conditioning or heating services in your area — they won’t find you online.

Luckily, there are plenty of tools to help you optimize your HVAC site and ensure you don’t miss out on any qualified leads and business opportunities. On the basics, ensure the site is well-structured, fast, mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, laser-focused on SEO.

Use your website to build trust with your target audience. It’s where you can showcase your work and testimonials and start a blog to teach homeowners about HVAC topics like regular AC tune-ups or choosing the right thermostat. And it’s also where you can offer incentives (including discounts) augmented with compelling call-to-actions (CTAs) to drive more leads to your business.

Capitalize on Local SEO for HVAC

Local SEO is a powerful asset for HVAC lead generation. It involves optimizing your website to show up prominently in organic results for searches that include a geographic location.

Most people who need HVAC services use the internet to find a reputable company in their area. For example, a homeowner in need of AC installation will type “air conditioning repair near me” into Google and look at the first few results that pop up. If your business shows up at the top of these search results, you’ll have a better chance of converting these searchers into leads and paying customers. 

Below are two primary ways to optimize your online presence for local searches:

• Use Local Keywords: While broad HVAC phrases (like furnace repair and AC installation) can drive substantial traffic to your website, local keywords (e.g., furnace repair in Los Angeles, CA) do an excellent job of bringing more qualified traffic and leads. Spread the long-tail keywords across multiple service pages on your website, rather than stuffing them in one or two pieces of content. 
• Optimize Your Google My Business Profile: An optimized and verified Google My Business profile could land your business in the highly sought-after Local 3 Pack. These are the top three businesses Google considers the most relevant for a local search. 

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Encourage Online Reviews

Online reviews help you build trust with potential customers and demonstrate that you’re worth their time (and money). Nearly 90% of consumers read reviews online before making a purchase. 

But how do you make customer testimonials a reliable HVAC lead generation magnet?

First, deliver superior customer experiences. After which, ask for reviews at the right time. 

The best time to ask for a review is when a customer is satisfied with the service. Disappointed customers will likely provide negative feedback, which could repel about 60% of prospects. 

Ease the process by providing links to your social media pages, company website, or other sites where they can leave reviews. The most visited review sites are Google (81%), Yelp (53%), and Facebook (36%). 

Offer an incentive (like a discount or free service) for each positive feedback if possible. It should not be too big; otherwise, people might start leaving fake reviews to get free stuff.  You can always request short video testimonials to showcase the “before and after” of your customer experiences.

Amplify Your Social Media Presence

Social media is another effective way to generate free HVAC leads. It helps to register with all the social media platforms that matter to your target audience—we suggest Facebook, NextDoor, and Instagram (at the minimum).

Start by sharing your best customer reviews on social media. Then, follow up with posts about industry news, like energy-saving tips or new technology in the world of HVAC. Bonus points if you include pictures or videos from job sites. 

Make sure your posts are engaging, interesting, and compelling enough that your followers want to share them. Use a posting schedule to maintain consistency with your posts and promotions. By keeping your social followers on the radar, they’ll remember who to consult for their heating or cooling needs in the future.

Harness Targeted Email Marketing

Email marketing stands as a cost-effective way to generate business for HVAC companies. Email marketing allows you to create targeted content for different audience segments, ensuring each subscriber receives relevant and helpful information. But how do you get the most out of email as an HVAC lead generation tool? 

First, build an email list with the customer’s permission. People added without permission will likely unsubscribe. Your ESP might penalize you for violating anti-spam laws. Include an opt-in form on your website or social media pages that visitors can fill out to sign up for your newsletters. 

Take the time to segment your email contacts based on their location, interests, and behaviors. From there, start sharing valuable content that resonates with respective email segments for improved open rates, engagement levels, and, more importantly, higher conversion rates. 

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Bottom Line

Effective HVAC lead generation calls for a personalized blend of multiple marketing techniques. We hope that the methods we’ve shared here will help elevate sales opportunities for your business. 

Are you a Southern California HVAC contractor looking for HVAC leads near me? GoMarketing can help! We are your online marketing partner, providing top-level solutions to help contractors like you reach their maximum potential. Feel free to contact our team at 805-413-7893 for assistance with HVAC lead generation. 

The post How to Get HVAC Leads and Service Calls in 2023 for FREE appeared first on GoMarketing.

Here, we give you actionable tips to help grow your online presence and drive more clients to your business, without a sweat. Let’s dive in.

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1. Local SEO for Plumbers: Be “the Plumber Near Me”

1.1   Local Content Optimization for Plumbers

In the digital era, people rely on search engines like Google to find the information they need, whether it is how to fix leaking pipes or find the local plumber in their area. If you want to rank for geo-targeted searches on google, the website must be optimized for “near me” searches along with high traffic keywords.

The objective of digital marketing is to generate online leads in your service area. If you offer plumbing services in Los Angeles, in that case, your website must be optimized for geo-targeted keywords like:

• “Plumber near me”
• “Plumber Los Angeles”
• “Emergency Plumber”
• “Los Angeles Plumbing phone number”
• “Drain Cleaning in Los Angeles”

1.2   Optimize Your Google My Business Page

Yellow Pages books are quickly fading into a past as local searches migrate online. But there remains a similarity between paper directories and local online searches: customers cannot find you if your business is not listed. And Google regularly updates its algorithms to accommodate online search trends and continually offer the best user experience. It is, therefore, common to see top-ranking businesses featuring in the Google maps.

The top three businesses on Google Maps make up the coveted local pack. Ranking your business here doesn’t have to be a struggle provided you do the right thing. First, ensure your website content is relevant to your area of operation, even if you serve multiple places. Secondly, keep your NAP(Name, Address, Phone Number) information consistent across your webpages and other websites. NAP is critical to local organic search results as Google takes the data into account to provide the most relevant results for geo-targeted searches.

It would be best if you optimized your Google My Business profile with local keywords. And ensure you input the correct NAP information and all the plumbing services you offer in a particular area. Also, optimize your website for mobile, so you don’t lose potential customers to competitors with faster-loading websites.

2. Target Your Customers with Paid Search Campaigns

Paid search campaigns can incredibly complement your SEO efforts by targeting people looking for your plumbing services and generating traffic and sales faster. Leverage the following tips to crack paid search campaigns for plumbing services.

2.1   Focus on Emergency Plumbing Keywords

Often, plumbing issues occur unexpectedly or even during the wee hours of the night. A homeowner facing such a situation doesn’t have the patience to book plumbing services and wait for days before help comes their way. They need immediate assistance.

Tap into this urgency and see your revenue grow dramatically by adding plumbing keywords to your ad campaigns like:

• emergency plumbing + your operation area
• 24/7 plumbing services near me
• plumbing after hours

Your ad copies should emphasize you are the best emergency plumber in the target area, so customers know your services are exactly what they are looking for. Ensure these prospects can see your emergency phone number on your website for a quick connection to your services.

2.2   Run a Call-only Campaign

Another trick to cater to emergency plumbing situations and quicken lead generation is by eliminating website visits from the conversion process. Call-only campaigns can help with that. Here, your number shows in your ad’s headline so potential customers can call you directly from your ads…instead of customers having to visit your website.

Call-only ads are the perfect tools to target customers who do not have the time to compare several options, they need a fast solution for their plumbing issue. And do not forget to optimize these ads with emergency keywords, as discussed earlier.

2.3   Relevancy with Ad Group & Keyword

Generic paid ads will not get you meaningful results. But a clear demonstration of relevancy is sure to instill trust in potential leads and elevate your lead generation. Show that you understand your target specific problem, and you can offer them a unique solution. But how?

Create an ad group for each service you offer, adding only keywords relevant to the specific service. Then create matching ads for the ad group. For example, if you offer commercial plumbing, create a commercial plumbing ad group targeting “commercial plumbing” keywords. Then craft specific ads just for commercial plumbing.

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3. Manage Online Client Reviews

It is no secret that most customers rely on online reviews to decide on the plumber they can fully trust with their property, family, and plumbing needs. A good reputation is an excellent marketing tool as it instills hope and trust in your prospects.

Even if you are just getting started, managing your reviews should not be daunting and costly. It begins with a simple request for a review from a customer whose project you have just completed. The best thing is to write each of them a personalized email requesting feedback. For positive feedback, send the customer an email with a link to your Google My Business page, where they can leave their reviews. It is not just about ratings. Encourage your customers to write what they liked about your plumbing services and why they would recommend friends and relatives to you.

It is important to address negative feedback diplomatically. Seek to know why a particular customer was unsatisfied. And remedy the situation as quickly as you can.

4. Write a Blog and Resources Related to Plumbing

A critical part of distinguishing yourself as an industry leader and earning customer trust is publishing helpful and relevant blogs on your website. Offer your visitors practical tips related to plumbing. For example, you can teach them ways to prevent drain blockage.

Blog consistently to build your authority in the industry, complement your SEO efforts, and rank favorably on search engines. Leverage long-form content to provide as much information as possible and generate links from industry-related websites. Useful content can also help increase the time visitors spend on your website (lower bounce rate), signaling to Google that your site is helpful to the readers.

Ideas for Plumbing Blogs:

• Why Does My Sewer Keep Backing Up?
• Tips on How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
• Plumbing Tools The Homeowner Would Use
• Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?
• How to Find a Water Leak Inside a Wall
• How to Use a Plumbing Snake
• Benefits Of High-Pressure Drain Cleaning

Even as you make your blog posts reader-friendly, you will want to optimize them with relevant keywords, especially the long-tail phrases. Do not forget to share helpful information through email newsletters, but keep the subscriptions optional. Stick to an email newsletter schedule to keep your brand always in the mind of your subscribers.

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5. Invest in Social Media Marketing

Leverage social media to elevate your online presence and engage with your target audience on a more personal level. Post high-quality, relevant, and engaging posts, including videos and images, on your social accounts, to increase awareness and build a loyal social community. And respond to feedback on your timeline and in private messages to establish trust and authority.

Target specific audiences with social ads to engage high-intent social users and drive qualified leads to your website. Post regularly to keep your brand on your audience radar. You can use social media management platforms like Sprout Social and HootSuite to streamline your social media tasks.

Conclusion

There you have them, practical digital marketing tips for plumbers to improve your online presence, drive traffic to your website, establish authority, and grow your revenues. Implement them one by one, testing and improving their effectiveness to make your plumbing business stand out from the crowd.

The post Top 5 Online Marketing Tips for Plumbers appeared first on GoMarketing.

Whereas there are numerous ways to showcase your products to encourage purchase, picking the right options for Black Friday sales can be quite tricky. Thankfully, in this post, GoMarketing experts have compiled simple and actionable Black Friday campaign ideas that will distinguish you from the pack of competitors aggressively vying for customers’ attention. Sounds interesting? Let us dive in.

Following 9 Black Friday Marketing Ideas [+Examples]

• Run Daily or Hourly Flash Sales
• Create a Discount Wheel
• Publish Black Friday Gift Guides
• Create a Customer Referral Program
• Offer Mystery Boxes or Product Bundles
• Capitalize on Gift Card offers
• Cross-Sell with a Discount
• Give Your Loyal Fans a Royal Treat
• Social Media Contests and Giveaways

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Run Daily or Hourly Flash Sales

Harness the potential for flash sales to increase the rate of impulse purchases, encouraging consumers to buy your products on the spot.

Flash sales can improve your transactions by at least 40% when done right. More so, you enjoy better results when you incorporate email marketing in this campaign. Flash sale emails sent late afternoon tend to generate better results than lunch-time or midday flash sales.

The campaign can run for three to six hours, but hourly flash sales implemented by stores like HauteLook are sure to create more urgency, especially if you want to clear unpopular items in your stock.

Understandably, you want to sell virtually everything on Black Friday, but be careful to limit your product offerings and time wisely to maintain this strategy’s profitability.

Create a Discount Wheel

Add some element of gamification and mystery to your Black Friday Sales with a discount wheel. Here, you set up a spinning wheel on your site, which customers can “spin” to win various temporary discounts/coupons. It is a surefire way to bring some sense of fun and increase engagement, improving the likelihood of customers buying your products, especially when they feel they have won a reward available for a short time. Check out how UbiSoft practices this concept.

Publish Black Friday Gift Guides

Gift guides are a timely solution to your target customers, helping them pick the right gifts for their friends and family seamlessly. Most importantly, gift guides are a creative way to present your products to your targets without coming off as being salesy. They also direct buyers to purchase the gifts in your store, becoming an excellent tool for navigating your product pages. Check out how Amazon capitalizes on this trend on their website.

Strive to make your gift guides stand out from the pack to generate those Black Friday sales you desire. Make them specific to a certain group of people, for example, fashionistas, kids, women, men, foodies, etc. And ensure the titles grab the visitors’ attention. But do not overwhelm buyers with too many options. A good rule of thumb is to feature a maximum of 30 products in your gifts.

Create a Customer Referral Program

Referrals rank among the most trusted marketing forms because customers often rely on other people’s opinions when deciding on a purchase. A referral program is a cost-effective method for short-term and long-term gains. You can leverage the program to drive more sales on Black Friday and still use the new customers to drive more customers to your business.

PlushBeds referral program offers customers a $50 Amazon gift for every referred customer that purchases a mattress from the retailer using a referral link.

Learn what interests your customers the most to create an irresistible referral program while maintaining your profitability. And instill a sense of urgency by indicating the reward’s expiration.

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Offer Mystery Boxes or Product Bundles

Incorporate some suspense and fun in your Black Friday Campaign with mystery boxes. A mystery box is a bundle of gifts whose combined retail value is higher than the offer price. The best part is that the customer does not know the package’s constituents-it could be a premium gadget like iPad Pro or some other useful items. All in all, the customer gets value for their money. Still, the gambling nature associated with mystery boxes can entice customers to buy several boxes.

For customers looking for offers on several items but not ready to risk gambling on a mystery box, you can entice them with bundle products-a set of pre-bundled items sold at a discount. For instance, you can bundle certain groceries such as cornstarch, rice, green grams, and cooking oil and sell the whole bundle at a 25% discount off the total price. This McDonald’s Happy Meal is an excellent example of a bundle product.

Capitalize on Gift Card offers

Businesses often concentrate too much on product promotion that they forget that customers love buying gift cards too. Promoting your gift cards on Black Friday is a clever way of planning for your company’s future. One way is selling your gift cards at a reduced price. For instance, you can sell a $60 gift card at $50. Note that the card’s value remains at $60, only that customers can access them more affordably on the sales day. Down the road, the card recipients will buy your products and possibly become loyal customers.

Another way to promote gift cards is by offering a bonus on each card purchase. An ideal example of this is Taco Bells, which offered customers a free $5 eGift card for every $15 eGift card purchase.

Cross-Sell with a Discount

Cross-selling is an excellent way to take full advantage of making more sales to a current customer who is already on your website. It involves selling combos of 2-4 products that complement each other at a particular discount on the total. Complementary products are often displayed on a pop-up screen that allows customers to reject or accept the offers.

Take, for example, a customer buying a $49 striped dress from an online store. Products that can go well with the dress can be a $48 embroidered bag and $89 heels. Cross-selling comes in when the store offers to sell the 3-product combo at $166 rather than the total retail price of $186, giving the customer a $20 discount.

To crack cross-selling, ensure the copy message delivers true value to the customer. Secondly, create a sense of scarcity or urgency by stating that the offer is only valid for a certain duration or you have very few stock items.

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Give Your Loyal Fans a Royal Treat

If you have a loyalty program, email blast your loyal fans about exclusive offers you have in store for them ahead of the Black Friday marketing influx. This can help generate a buzz around your business when your competitors are still figuring what to do on the sales day.

Treat your loyal customers to some perks uniquely tailored to them. An excellent example of this is the Target Circle loyalty program. It gained over 20m members in the first two weeks after launch, becoming the country’s fastest-growing loyalty program. Besides earning 1% cashback on each purchase, Target Circle members received early access to 2019 Black Friday exclusive deals. The program saw Target customers spend 2-5% more on each visit.

Social Media Contests and Giveaways

Take customer engagement to the next level by hosting competitions and giveaways on your social media pages throughout Black Friday. A customer only needs to share, comment, or like a particular post on your page to participate. The effort on the user’s end may be minimal, but the prize is fantastic to you and them. They get a chance to win a gift, and you generate more traffic and possibly sales from increased post visibility. Derive some inspiration from these brands to create engaging and fun-filled social media posts that will boost your Black Friday goals.

Need Help with Your Creative Black Friday Ideas?

There you have them, creative ways to intensify your Black Friday Campaigns. Execute as many as you can, but wisely to sustain their profitability.

If you need a hand implementing these strategies, GoMarketing can help you build Black Friday campaigns that drive and exceed your desired results. Message us online today or call us at 805-413-7893 to initiate a conversation around your marketing needs.

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It is scary times right now all around the world. The Coronavirus has locked us all up in our homes, and we’re scrounging for necessities like toilet paper when we do get out. Is life ever going to be “normal” again? Yes, it will, but it is going to get worse first. Slowly businesses will be reopening, and more people will be returning to work.

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1. Use Social Media to Connect With Your Customers During This Critical Time

The impact of this Coronavirus outbreak is something to be dealt with by everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’ve tested positive or not. We’ve all be locked in our homes, and we’ve all had to take extreme cautions.

We’ve had to quit gathering with family and friends and haven’t been out to eat at our favorite restaurants or go to the movies or shopping in months. We aren’t going to work, and we have to homeschool our kids. What we may have thought to be a significant life change has now been downgraded to minor inconveniences, but it’s all been jarring and unsettling, nonetheless.

Now is a time when expressing empathy to those around us virtually. Now is the time to offer to help out and be sensitive. Now is not the time to be pushy or salesy, but it is an opportunity for making your brand stand out as that caring, concerned business. There are more of us on social media right now because we can’t go to work or unlock the doors to our businesses. We have the means to stay connected through this pandemic and a business owner. You can make the most of this captured audience.

Contribute to food banks in your immediate area on behalf of your company. Volunteer to do the grocery shopping for the elderly. Use social media to promote your good deeds and build your brand. GoMarketing has several ideas that we’ll be glad to share with you and help you get implemented. And promote your good deeds to help build your brand.

2. Make Sure Your Business Is Easily Found Online

With less time in our cars or walking, we’re spending more time indoors and on the internet. Until they ‘release’ us and we all feel comfortable getting out and about again, that internet time is going to increase. Until then, shopping online, we shall do!

If everyone is online shopping, then that is where you need to be! If you’ve haven’t been in the virtual world, now is the time. You need to find what search engine optimization strategies are getting businesses to the top ranking on Google and make it happen for your website. Find out what you need to get found easier on search engine results pages. Get out of your protective shell and see what’s happening around you, then join in. GoMarketing is keeping a watchful eye on internet trends. Let us help you find the trend that fits your business through our Online Branding Services!

3. The Smart Advertising Move Right Now: Pay-Per-Click (PPC)

With more of us on the computer, the timing is right for PPC marketing. If you’ve tried it before and had poor results, try it again. If you have never tried, now is the time to gain in the competitive online race and take advantage of the drop in cost-per-click rates. Get more exposure and save money doing it – how great is that? With the team at GoMarketing on your side, we’ll help you make a PPC campaign that sends your numbers soaring upward.

4. Take This Opportunity To Make a Special Offer During These Unique Circumstances

SEO increases organic traffic and pushes you up past the competition. People have nothing but time on our hands, and we’re surfing the internet more, but they’re still going to choose from the top 5 businesses on a Google search. GoMarketing can get your website to the top, but you need to put some effort into it and create an optimization strategy. The daily content is required with your optimization strategy in play, because if you aren’t on top of it daily, your competitors will be, and you’ll be on the losing end of this scenario.

Yes, budgets are tight right now, but stopping your SEO campaign would be a critical mistake. Your business will suffer from lost leads and lost revenue. Your competitors may be putting a temporary hold on their SEO campaign, so take advantage of that weakness and push with all you have to muster.

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5. Local SEO and Online Reviews Are Substantial Right Now and Later

As we mentioned earlier, the coronavirus outbreak will fade, and life will return to a normal state. All good things come to those that wait and prepare, which is what you should be doing right now – preparing. Keep in mind that SEO is a long-term strategy, and what you do today with your SEO campaign will affect the organic search traffic that lands on your website even two months later. Your revenue will suffer if you pause your SEO campaign now because, in two months, your website will be down at the bottom of any Google search. Let GoMarketing help you stay at the top of page one now and still be there two months later.

6. Keep Your Customers Informed and Spin How You Present Your Company To Fit The Time

Customers should easily find your website in your geo region, and GoMarketing can help you make that happen. Right now, everyone is looking for convenience aid. If your business can be that convenience, they’ll remember you later when the world is going to open up again, and they’ll be more likely to give you’re a positive review now. With our help, we can build up your online reputation and help you manage it later, keeping you in contact with your target audience during this chaotic, yet quiet time. Your product or service needs to be presented in a way that people see it as helpful, and we can help you make that happen.

7. Now Is The Time To Work Those Digital To-Do Lists

One good thing we’ve all had to happen is the free time we have now. Not having that commute to and from the office has added 2 to 3 hours to our day. The impromptu meetings aren’t happening now, either. Now we have the time to check those cracks where things fell and address them.

Get your website updated. GoMarketing can help you revamp your site, give it a new look, making sure it has a clear call-to-action, and perform a CRO audit to make sure the CTA is on-spot with today’s trends. We’ll audit your SEO, too, and make sure your optimization strategies are maximized to give you the most edge possible.

During This Coronavirus Pandemic, All Sizes Of Businesses Are Finding A Way To Market

While the streets have gotten quiet and the world seems to be at a standstill, small and large businesses are trying to stay afloat. A local art teacher wanted to stay connected with kids while they’re being homeschooled and separated from friends and teachers. Using Facebook Live, she started offering free art activities. Now there are 100s of kids and their parents tuning in to see today’s activity. When this pandemic is over, she has an excellent chance to see a lot of new students signing up for her art classes.

Business owners, executives, even musical and stage artists are reading books online for kids to enjoy and listen. These are one way of connecting that will be long remembered after things return to normal. If you’re afraid that everyone will forget what they’ve learned, a photographer has found a way to help remember with pictures. She takes pictures of families on their front porch in the stay-at-home garb—a real reminder of real times.

Big companies are suffering too, and they are looking for any way they can keep their doors open now, and when life returns. Smart advertising and digital marketing that is promoting what they are doing to keep the virus at bay with positive can-do messages. Like KFC, for instance.

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KFC
KFC has loaded onto Instagram a social distancing campaign that promotes their chicken too. Reminding everyone that you order online for pick up or delivery, stressing the fact that they are practicing touchless service and using the latest in handwashing and sanitation policies.

Starbucks
Starbucks’ COVID-19 strategy for their marketing during this time was to use compassion and empathy and offered first responders and healthcare workers a free beverage. They went to Instagram with their thanks and this announcement, which is sure to get them more business after life returns from people that may not have frequented them before.

ALDI, Walmart, and other like stores
ALDI, Walmart, and other like stores have established certain hours each day for senior citizens and vulnerable customers to do their shopping. Kroger has taken their marketing ploy in another direction, by advertising how they are taking care of their employees by extending their guidelines for emergency leave and issuing bonuses for both full time and part-time employees. They didn’t forget about their customers, though. They have eliminated their curbside pickup fee of $5.00, so you don’t have to get out of your car during this uncertain time.

Wrapping Up

No doubt about it, the world is going through some challenging times, but that doesn’t mean your business can’t flourish and grow. Take a different and new approach. Don’t pull back on your marketing efforts. In these critical times, you need to be compassionate and empathetic, let your customer base know you’re in this with them to help them. Let GoMarketing work with you in finding the insight that will make this time a time for growth and memories. Don’t hesitate to contact our team of professionals at GoMarketing to answer any and all questions concerning your digital marketing strategy during and after Coronavirus: 805-413-7893!

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