loader image
Share This:

As digital marketing experts at SpreadMe Digital, we know how challenging it can be to stand out in your local market. We’ve seen countless businesses miss opportunities simply because they weren’t visible online to customers searching nearby. If you’re not actively working to attract local customers through digital channels, you could be losing a significant share of your market to competitors.

With more people relying on online search, maps, and social media to find services and products nearby, it’s never been more important to ensure your business appears in those searches. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what we’ve learned from years of helping businesses dominate local search—and how you can do the same.

Why Local Customers Matter

Visual representation of the importance of local customers, emphasizing loyalty, repeat purchases, and their role in business growth.

Local customers are more than just foot traffic—they are your most loyal and repeat buyers. For most businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, the local audience makes up a significant portion of their revenue. We always ask our clients one key question: Can your business grow without strong local support? For most, the answer is no.

Here’s why local customers are crucial:

  • Higher purchase intent: People searching locally usually need a solution now, which leads to faster conversions.
  • Frequent repeat business: Locals often return, bringing long-term value.
  • Valuable word-of-mouth: Local customers share their experiences with friends and neighbors, helping grow your reputation.
  • Trust factor: People prefer businesses they can physically visit or call nearby.

Insight from SpreadMe Digital: We’ve noticed that even businesses with great products struggle until they fine-tune their visibility for local audiences. That’s where we step in—to make sure you’re seen, trusted, and chosen.

Tip: Start by Googling your service with “near me” and see if your business comes up. If not, let’s change that.

Common Mistakes That Drive Away Local Customers

Alt text: Infographic titled "Common Mistakes That Drive Away Local Customers," highlighting key errors businesses make.

 

We’ve audited hundreds of businesses and found a few repeat mistakes that hinder local success. Avoiding these can make all the difference.

1. Ignoring Local SEO

Local SEO is not optional—it’s essential. Businesses that ignore it don’t show up in “near me” or city-based searches. We’ve helped clients move from page 3 to the top 3 local search results just by implementing proven SEO strategies.

Here’s what we see often:

  • No city/location keywords in website content
  • Missing meta descriptions with local focus
  • Zero backlinks from local directories or community websites

Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

    2. Incomplete Google Business Profile (GBP)

    Your Google Business Profile is your digital storefront. An incomplete or outdated GBP tells Google—and your customers—that you’re not serious.

    We always ensure:

    • Accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone number)
    • Complete categories and attributes
    • Weekly updates with images and posts
    • Timely responses to reviews

    3. Lack of Online Reviews

    In today’s digital world, reviews are your reputation. A business with no reviews looks suspicious, and bad reviews without responses look careless. We help you implement review generation campaigns to ensure you’re consistently building trust.

    Strategies we use:

    • Automated email/SMS review requests
    • QR codes for in-store reviews
    • Templates for professional review responses

    4. No Mobile Optimization

    Image of Speedline Digital, a digital marketing agency, emphasizing mobile optimization solutions for improved user experience.

     

    More than 60% of local searches happen on mobile. If your site is hard to navigate on a phone, you’re losing customers fast.

    We fix this by:

    • Creating responsive designs
    • Compressing images for faster loading
    • Making buttons and menus tap-friendly

    Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

      5. Inconsistent Business Listings

      If your business has different names, numbers, or addresses across directories, it confuses both Google and your customers.

      Our approach:

      • Perform listing audits
      • Update and sync all citations
      • Monitor ongoing changes for accuracy

      Tip from us: Consistency builds trust. A single wrong digit in your phone number on Yelp can cost you a lead.

      How to Attract More Local Customers

      Image illustrating strategies for attracting more local customers, featuring a diverse group of people engaging with a local business.

      We don’t just recommend these tactics—we use them every day with our clients. Here’s what works.

      1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

      Google search results page displaying optimized Google Business Profile tips for improved visibility in local searches.

      A complete and optimized GBP increases your chances of showing in the Google 3-Pack (the map and top 3 business results). We regularly manage our clients’ GBPs to keep them competitive.

      Make sure to:

      • Add high-quality, geotagged images
      • Post weekly updates, events, and offers
      • Ask customers to upload photos with reviews

      Note: Active profiles signal to Google that your business is alive and thriving.

      2. Improve Your Local SEO

      Image illustrating steps to use Google Maps for business visibility, emphasizing local SEO strategies and tailored services.

      We tailor our local SEO services based on your industry, competition, and goals. Here’s what we implement:

      • Local keyword research and usage
      • Content writing with city-specific targeting
      • Landing pages for each location you serve
      • Link building from niche directories and local blogs
      • Technical SEO audits and improvements

      Tip: Even service businesses (like roofers, cleaners, etc.) need location pages, even if they don’t have a physical address. We help you create those.

      3. Encourage and Manage Online Reviews

      Google reviews interface displaying user ratings and comments, emphasizing the importance of managing online feedback.

       

      Our review system helps generate consistent positive reviews. We also teach businesses how to ask for reviews without sounding pushy.

      Our review strategy includes:

      • Review request templates
      • Follow-up reminders
      • Dashboard to monitor reviews across platforms

      Note: Google reviews carry the most SEO value, but platforms like Yelp and Facebook matter too.

      4. Leverage Social Media and Local Listings

      Social media builds brand trust and local relevance. We help you:

      • Plan content calendars for consistent posting
      • Use hashtags and location tags strategically
      • Collaborate with local influencers
      • Run local giveaways and contests

      Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

        Listings we focus on:

        • Yelp
        • Bing Places
        • Yellow Pages
        • Apple Maps
        • Industry-specific directories

        Tip: A viral giveaway can bring more exposure than a month of paid ads. We’ve seen it firsthand.

        5. Run Localized Ads

        Targeted ads = better ROI. We create high-performing ad campaigns that only show to your ideal local audience.

        We handle everything, including:

        • Geo-fenced ads for events or neighborhoods
        • Retargeting local visitors
        • Conversion-focused landing pages
        • Local extensions in Google Ads

        Pro Tip: Don’t just boost Facebook posts—create proper ad funnels. We’ll show you how.

        6. Partner with Local Businesses and Events

        Partnerships aren’t just about co-hosting an event. They’re about shared audiences and mutual credibility.

        Ideas we recommend:

        • Co-promote on social media
        • Sponsor local sports teams or charity events
        • Offer bundled deals with complementary businesses

        Tip: Small collaborations can lead to big exposure. We’ve helped businesses double leads through the right partnerships.

        Conclusion

        At SpreadMe Digital, we’re passionate about helping local businesses thrive. We’ve worked with restaurants, salons, HVAC companies, clinics, and more—each with unique goals but the same problem: they weren’t reaching local customers effectively.

        By using the right mix of local SEO, review management, mobile optimization, social engagement, and local ads, we help our clients turn their neighborhood into their most powerful marketing channel.

        Here’s what we believe:

        • Local customers are the heart of sustainable growth
        • Visibility leads to trust, and trust leads to sales
        • Consistency and strategy always win over luck

        Ready to grow your local presence and stop missing out on valuable customers? Let’s talk! Contact us at SpreadMe Digital today. We’ll audit your local marketing and create a custom plan that delivers results.

        Share This:
        Share This:

        As we venture into 2024, the significance of digital marketing has never been more pronounced. With the quick growth of online platforms and consumer behavior, businesses must allocate their digital marketing budgets wisely to stay competitive. 

        This blog aims to guide you through the intricacies of budgeting for digital marketing, ensuring your investments yield maximum returns. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ROI? (Like discovering a $20 note in the pocket of your old coat).

        Understanding Digital Marketing Budgeting

        A businessman using a tablet to display graphs and charts, analyzing data for business purposes.

        A digital marketing budget encompasses all the expenses related to online marketing efforts. This includes:

        Paid Advertising: Pay-per-click (PPC) social media ads – Think of it as the high-octane fuel for your marketing engine.

        SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Enhancing visibility on search engines – Because if Google can’t find you, neither can your customers.

        Content Marketing: Blogs, videos, infographics – Content is king, queen, and the royal court.

        Email Marketing: Campaigns and automation – The digital equivalent of a handshake and a smile.

        Social Media Management: Engagement and brand presence – Where your brand gets to show off its personality and cat memes.

        Analytics and Tools: Software for tracking and optimizing campaigns – Because flying blind is for the birds, not businesses.

        According to a survey by Gartner, organizations paid an average of 11.2% of their earnings on marketing in 2023, with digital marketing accounting for a substantial portion of this budget. So, your digital marketing budget isn’t just a shot in the dark; it’s a strategic investment.

        Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

          Factors Influencing Digital Marketing Budget

          People standing around a red background with graphs and charts, discussing data analysis and insights.

          Business Size and Industry: Small businesses typically spend less, around 7-8% of their revenue, while larger enterprises might allocate 10-12%. It’s the difference between shopping at a thrift store and splurging at a designer boutique.

          Marketing Goals and Objectives: Your budget will be determined by your goals, including lead generation, customer retention, or brand exposure. After all, you wouldn’t buy a sports car if you were driving to the corner store.

          Target Audience and Market Competition: High competition may require more investment to stand out. It’s like trying to yell over the noise at a rock concert – you must be loud and clear.

          Historical Performance and Data Analysis: Reviewing past campaigns helps predict future needs. If you don’t learn from history, you’re doomed to repeat it – especially in marketing.

          Available Resources: Deciding between in-house teams and outsourcing impacts costs. It’s a bit like deciding whether to cook at home or dine out – each has its own set of costs and benefits.

          Average Digital Marketing Spend by Business Size

          A group of business people having a discussion in the background of the image.

          Small Businesses typically allocate $500 – $2,000 per month. This is like the cost of your daily latte habit but spread out for your business.

          Medium-sized Businesses: Spend between $2,000 – $10,000 monthly. Consider it the difference between a budget vacation and a luxury getaway.

          Large Enterprises: Can invest $10,000 – $50,000+ monthly. This is where we’re talking about private jets and champagne for your marketing.

          These figures, sourced from a study by the Content Marketing Institute, highlight the variability in digital marketing spending based on company size.

          Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

            Recommended Budget Allocation for 2024

            To optimize your digital marketing efforts, consider the following allocation:

            Paid Advertising: 30-40% – Critical for immediate visibility and traffic. Think of it as the fast lane to get your brand noticed.

            SEO: 15-25% – Essential for long-term organic growth. SEO is your steady, reliable investment – like a good savings account.

            Content Marketing: 20-30% – Builds brand authority and engages audiences. Content is your chance to tell your story, like your marketing fairytale.

            Email Marketing: 5-10% – High ROI through direct customer engagement. It’s the direct line to your customers – like sending them a friendly postcard.

            Social Media Management: 10-20% – Vital for brand presence and customer interaction. Think of it as your brand’s public social life – always on and always engaging.

            Analytics and Tools: 5-10% – Important for tracking and optimizing performance. Because what gets measured gets managed – and who doesn’t love a good spreadsheet?

            Trends Impacting Digital Marketing Spend in 2024

            AI and Automation: Expected to account for 30% of marketing tech budgets as per Forrester Research. It is comparable to a marketing staff operating nonstop without coffee breaks.

            Personalized Marketing: 80% of consumers are likelier to engage with customized offers (Epsilon). Imagine each of your customers getting a marketing message tailor-made just for them – it’s like a marketing fairy godmother.

            Video Content: By 2024, video will make up 82% of all internet traffic (Cisco). If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is the entire Library of Congress.

            Data Privacy: Compliance with GDPR and CCPA is critical, with 65% of consumers concerned about data privacy (Deloitte). Treat your customers’ data like your social security number carefully.

            Social Media Evolution: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram continue to grow, requiring adaptive strategies. Keeping up with social media trends is like staying hip to the latest dance craze – you’ve got to keep moving.

            Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

              Setting and Adjusting Your Digital Marketing Budget

              Establish Clear Goals: Describe the criteria for success. Is it more leads, higher sales, or just getting more followers than your competition?

              Monitor Performance: Use KPIs to track progress. It’s like checking your GPS during a road trip – you must ensure you’re on the right path.

              Flexibility: Be ready to adjust based on ROI. Think of it as fine-tuning your strategy – like changing the sails on your marketing ship.

              A/B Testing: Experiment to find what works best. Because in marketing, like in life, variety is the spice of life.

              Data-Driven Decisions: Use analytics to guide budget allocation. It’s like having a crystal ball that works – why guess when you can know?

              Common Mistakes to Avoid

              Common mistakes to avoid: lack of planning, poor communication, ignoring feedback, rushing decisions.

              Ignoring Diversification: Relying too much on one channel can be risky. It’s like putting all your eggs in one basket – and then dropping the basket.

              Neglecting ROI Tracking: Only with tracking can we know the possibilities. Flying blind might be thrilling in an action movie, but it’s disastrous in marketing.

              Over-Relying on Trends: Balance trendy tactics with proven methods. Chasing every new trend is like following every fad diet – you might lose sight of what works.

              Underestimating Tools: Budgeting for the right tools is crucial. Investing in the correct tools will improve your performance; it’s like trying to make a gourmet dish with a plastic spoon.

              Skipping Updates: Stay current with digital marketing trends and practices. It’s like trying to run Windows 95 in 2024 – you’ve got to keep up to stay relevant.

              Conclusion

              Allocating the proper budget for digital marketing 2024 is crucial for business success. Understanding the various factors and trends and continuously monitoring and adjusting your strategies can ensure your investments yield significant returns. Remember, a well-planned budget is like a well-tailored suit—it makes everything look sharper and more professional.

              SpreadMe Digital specializes in creating tailored digital marketing strategies that fit your budget and company objectives. Our team of experts meticulously analyzes your market, target audience, and past performance to create a budget plan that maximizes ROI. We help you allocate your funds wisely across various channels, such as SEO, PPC, content marketing, and social media, ensuring every dollar spent contributes to your growth and success. With SpreadMe Digital, you get a partner committed to driving your business forward with data-driven insights and innovative solutions.

              Talk About Your Marketing Budget With Expert

                Share This: