3 Simple Things You Can Include in Your Website That Increases Customers to Your Offline Business

By Catherine Henry

Local marketing has been a big topic lately. Reaching your community through your website is critical to gaining traffic to your offline business location. Let's face it, you want more customers to come through your doors. That is one of the goals for any small business website. But many web designers forget three very key elements that will bring customers to your location.

A map and directions on how to get there. It seems like such a simple thing, but letting people know exactly how to find your store is one thing that many business owners forget to put on their website. Do not assume that your customers know where your store is. Yes, your existing customers do, but you are mainly targeting new customers who have not visited your place of business yet. Mark your location on a street map of your city as well as give them written instructions on how to get there. Make sure it is mobile friendly as many customers may have looked you up on their cell phones while they are out shopping and are trying to find you.

A printable coupon. If you want people to take the next step and go from your website to your store, including an online coupon that is only redeemable on-site. This will draw customers to your shop. Make sure the coupon gives a good enough discount to make it worth their while to visit your store.

A picture of your store or office. This is a form of branding that may trigger a customer to come through your doors if they associate the picture of your store with what they saw on your website. If they happen to be driving by or walking by and the sight of your store triggers a memory about your website, they may be curious enough to drop in and check you out.