Getting Started: Laying the Right Organic Groundwork for Your Local Business

Hey Opdee readers!

If you’re running a local business, getting noticed online can be a game-changer. Before diving into paid advertising, it’s crucial to establish a solid organic presence. Think of it as setting the stage before the main act. Here’s a friendly guide on how to set up the right organic groundwork using platforms like Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Facebook Business Page, and TikTok Business.

Step 1: Google Business Profile

First things first, claim and optimise your Google Business Profile. This is a must for local businesses.

  1. Claim Your Listing: Head to Google Business and claim your business.
  2. Complete Your Profile: Fill out all details – business name, address, phone number, website, and business hours.
  3. Add Photos and Videos: Showcase your business with high-quality images and videos.
  4. Collect Reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave reviews. Respond to them to show you value feedback.
  5. Post Updates: Keep your profile active by posting updates, offers, and news.

This helps in getting noticed on Google Maps and local search results.

Step 2: Bing Places

Don’t forget Bing! Setting up Bing Places is similar to Google Business Profile.

  1. Sign Up: Go to Bing Places and sign up for your business.
  2. Verify Information: Ensure your business name, address, and phone number match what’s on your Google Business Profile.
  3. Add Photos and Details: Just like with Google, add photos, business hours, and other relevant info.

By being consistent across these platforms, you improve your chances of appearing in local searches.

Step 3: Facebook Business Page

A Facebook Business Page is another critical piece of your online puzzle.

  1. Create Your Page: Go to Facebook and create a business page.
  2. Complete Your Profile: Fill in your business details, including a catchy description.
  3. Share Content: Post regularly about your business, share updates, photos, videos, and events.
  4. Engage with Followers: Respond to comments and messages to build a community.

Being active on Facebook helps build your brand and connect with local customers.

Step 4: TikTok Business

Even if TikTok seems like a platform for fun, it’s a powerful tool for business.

  1. Set Up Your Business Account: Go to TikTok and create a business account.
  2. Create Engaging Content: Post short, engaging videos showcasing your products or services.
  3. Use Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience.
  4. Engage with Users: Respond to comments and engage with your audience to build a following.

TikTok can help you reach a younger audience and create buzz around your business.

The Role of Web Traffic Data

Google uses web traffic data to determine if your website is a good match for specific keywords. This data includes how long users stay on your site, how many pages they visit, and whether they come back. This process of proving to Google that your site is a good match can take weeks, months, or even years. That’s where paid advertising comes in handy.

Amplify with Paid Advertising

Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to amplify it with paid advertising. Here’s why this combo works wonders:

  1. Immediate Visibility: Paid ads give you quick placement at the top of search results, offering instant exposure.
  2. Targeted Reach: With paid ads, you can target specific demographics and behaviours, ensuring your message gets to the right people.
  3. Increased Traffic: Paid ads can drive more traffic to your website, leading to more enquiries and sales.
  4. Insightful Data: Paid campaigns provide valuable data on user behaviour and keyword performance, helping refine your organic strategy.
  5. SEO Synergy: Insights from paid ads can inform your organic strategy, helping you optimise content for better search rankings.
  6. Prove Your Relevance: When you invest in paid advertising, you’re essentially telling search engines, “I believe my website should match these keywords and I’m willing to put my money on it.” This can signal to search engines that your site is valuable and relevant, potentially speeding up the process of ranking well for those keywords.

In Summary

Setting up a strong organic foundation with platforms like Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Facebook, and TikTok ensures your business is visible and engaging to local customers. Once that’s in place, using paid advertising to amplify these signals can boost your visibility even further. This balanced approach not only drives immediate results but also sets you up for sustained online growth.

Let’s get started on building that solid groundwork and watch your business soar!

Until next time, The Opdee Team