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Best Lead Generation Tools for Local Business

by | Best of, Digital Marketing, Lead Generation

BEST LEAD GENERATION TOOLS

Generating leads is essential for any local business owner. Without leads, you won’t be able to bring in new customers and grow your business.

So, how can you generate more leads for your local business? 

Here are 5 Lead Generation strategies for any small business to get new leads and more customers both online and in your local community.

1. Use Lead Generation Tools

There are a number of small business lead gen tools available online that can help you connect with potential customers. These tools include search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and email marketing. By using these tools, you can reach more people who are interested in your products or services.

SEO FOR LEAD GEN

How Local Businesses Can Use SEO for Local Lead Generation

There are a number of lead generation techniques that local businesses can use in order to increase their website traffic and convert more visitors into customers. SEO is one of the most effective methods, as it targets users who are already interested in what you have to offer.

When done correctly, SEO can help your website rank higher in organic search engine results pages (SERPs), which means you will get more exposure and be more likely to attract leads. SEO will also allow you to show up in organic search results, meaning you are being shown to your audience for free. Organic SEO can take some time but is well worth it for your local marketing.

Here are some tips for optimizing your website for attracting local leads:

1. Make sure your website is user-friendly and easy to navigate. 

If visitors have a difficult time finding what they are looking for on your website, they will be less likely to stick around long enough to become leads.

2. Make sure your website is keyword-rich. 

This means including keywords and phrases relevant to your business in your website content. Not only will this help your website rank higher in SERPs and show up in organic search results, but it will also help potential customers find you when they are searching for information related to your products or services.

3. Use lead capture forms on your website. 

A lead capture form is a form that visitors can fill out in order to receive more information about your products or services. By collecting leads through your website, you can keep track of interested prospects and follow up with them later on.

4. Increase the frequency of blog posts and articles on your website. 

Regularly updating your website with fresh content will help you attract new visitors, as well as keep your current visitors engaged. This will lead to more qualified leads in the long run.

5 Use SEO Tools

Using SEO tools can empower you to understand how your website is ranking, what adjustments and corrections you can make and how to create a plan for moving forward.

Here are five SEO tools that can help your Local Lead Generation:

1. Google AdWords Keyword Planner
2. Moz’s Open Site Explorer
3. SEM Rush
4. Yoast’s SEO Plugin for WordPress
5. UberSuggest

Each of these tools has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to figure out which ones work best for your needs.

Google AdWords Keyword Planner is great for finding keywords that your target audience is using to find your website. You can also use it to get data on how many people are searching for a particular keyword, as well as the competition for that keyword. It is free to use.

SEMRush is perfect for analyzing the structure of your website. It shows you which pages are getting the most organic traffic, as well as which pages are being indexed. It also has a powerful free backlink tool and a Free SEO Academy where you can learn more about your local SEO.

Moz’s Open Site Explorer is good for figuring out where your website ranks in terms of backlinks. It also shows you the anchor text used for those links, which can give you some valuable insights into your SEO strategy. There is a free trial.

Yoast’s SEO Plugin for WordPress is great for optimizing your website for search engines. It analyzes your content and gives you tips on how to make it more SEO friendly. There is a free version that is very powerful.

UberSuggest is great for evaluating your website’s overall SEO health. It checks for errors in your website’s code, as well as missing or duplicate metadata. There is a free version, but the paid version is well worth it.

Figuring out which tools to use can be daunting, but it’s important to do your research and find the ones that work best for you. These five tools are a great place to start, but there are many more out there.

So don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the ones that give you the results you’re looking for.

6. Invest in SEO services. 

If you are not confident in your ability to optimize your website for online lead generation, it is a good idea to invest in local SEO services from an experienced provider. They will be able to help you identify the best techniques for your business and help you achieve better results.

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of generating more leads from your website using SEO.

PPC FOR LEAD GEN

How Local Business Can Use PPC for Local Lead Generation

PPC, or pay-per-click, advertising is a great paid strategy for lead generation. When done correctly, PPC can lead to a significant increase in website traffic and customer conversions.

What is PPC?

PPC is short for pay-per-click, a type of online advertising where you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. It’s one of the most popular forms of online advertising, and it can be used for lead generation for your business or to promote your products or services.

There are a variety of different types of PPC advertising, and each has its own pros and cons. The most common types are PPC, like google ads, which appears as sponsored links at the top or side of the search results page; banner ads, which are graphical ads that appear on websites; and social media PPC, which uses social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to target users with specific interests.

Search Engine PPC

Search engine PPC is the most common type of PPC advertising. It allows you to target people who are already interested in what you’re selling since they’re already searching for it online. It’s also the most expensive type of PPC advertising, so you need to make sure you’re targeting the right people and that your ads are well-crafted and relevant to your business.

Banner Ads

Banner ads are a less expensive option than PPC, and they can be a good way to reach people who aren’t already interested in what you’re selling. However, banner ads can be easily ignored or skipped over, so it’s important to make them eye-catching and interesting.

Social Media PPC

Social media PPC is a newer form of PPC advertising, and it can be a great way to reach people who are already interested in your products or services. Social media ads are also a good way to build relationships with potential and new customers and increase brand awareness.

An example of this is Facebook Ads, where you can pay to have your content natively placed in someone’s feed or as an ad in messenger or even marketplace. However, social media PPC, like Facebook advertising, can be expensive and tricky to fine-tune, but definitely not something to rule out.

Overall, PPC advertising is a great way to get more business for your business and to promote your products or services. It’s important to choose the right type of advertising for your business and to make sure your ads are well-crafted and relevant to your target audience.

Here are four tips for using PPC to generate local leads for your small business:

1. Choose the right keywords

When creating your PPC campaign, it’s important to choose the right keywords. These are the words and phrases that people will use when searching for your products or services. To find the best keywords, do some research online and use tools like Google AdWords Keyword Planner.

2. Create compelling ads

Your ads need to be compelling if you want people to click on them. Be sure to highlight the benefits of your products or services and make sure your ads are relevant to the keywords you’ve chosen.

3. Target the right audience

It’s important to target the right audience with your PPC campaign. You don’t want to waste money advertising to people who aren’t interested in what you have to offer. Use demographic information and other data points to target the right people.

4. Track your results

It’s important to track your PPC results so you can see how well your campaign is performing. Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, conversions, and other key metrics. This will help you fine-tune your campaign and make it more successful.

How Local Business Owners Can Use Email Marketing for Local Lead Generation

Email marketing is a great way to connect with potential customers and convert them into paying customers. It’s a cost-effective way to reach a large number of people, and it’s an easy way to keep in touch with current customers.

You can use email lists to target specific audiences and send them customized offers and promotions. Be sure to include a strong call to action in your emails so people will be motivated to take action

There are a few things you can do to make the most of email marketing:

1) Make sure your email list is up-to-date and includes contact information for current and prospective customers.

2) Make sure your emails are interesting and relevant to your target audience.

3) Use lead capture forms on your website or Facebook page to collect contact information from your audience.

4) Send regular emails, but don’t bombard people with too many messages.

5) Make sure your website is optimized for lead generation.

Be sure to use an email marketing service like Constant ContactGet Response, or Kartra to manage your email efforts. These tools will allow you to automate your lead generation, send broadcast emails, and manage your subscribers.

NETWORKING FOR LEAD GEN

2. Attend Networking Events

Attending networking events is a great way to meet local customers, get your name out in the local community, and build relationships with other local businesses. These local events provide the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself and your business and to share information about your products or services.

Here are tips for getting leads from your next networking event:

1. Make sure you have a good introduction.

When you first meet someone, make sure to introduce yourself and your business in a way that is interesting and catchy. Don’t just say, “Hi, I’m John from ABC Company.” Try something like, “Hi, I’m John. I’m the owner of ABC Company, and we specialize in ___________. What about you? What do you do?” This will help you stand out from the crowd and make a good first impression.

2. Bring business cards.

This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to bring plenty of business cards to any networking event. You’ll want to give them out to everyone you meet, so make sure you have enough.

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But instead of having a boring business card like everyone else, how can you make your business card engaging, unique, and a lead generator?

Tips to make your business card a lead generator:

First, instead of just listing off your contact information, have your business card be an offer. Create a freebie that is offered right on your business card that is irresistible to your perfect customers.

Next, have your business speak directly to your customers’ biggest pain points instead of rattling off more about you (yes, 25 years in business…there’s more important things to say here). Talk about the unique way you solve their problems.

And last, make it stand out. Have it be a little thicker, a little more colorful, a strange shape, something that will make it not go right into the trash.

3. Have a conversation starter ready.

When you meet someone new, it can be tough to know what to say. A great way to start a conversation is by asking them about their business or what they do. This will help you learn more about them and find potential leads.

4. Follow up with everyone you meet.

After the event, make sure to follow up with everyone you met. Send them an email, call them, or even better, set up a meeting to discuss how you can work together. By following up quickly, you’ll show that you’re interested and serious about doing business with them.

Networking events can be a great low-cost way to generate more customers for your business and connect with other local companies. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make the most of every local area event and get more customers for your company.

3. Promote your business online

One of the best lead-gen strategies for your local business is to promote it online. You can do this by creating a website or blog and by publishing articles and blog posts about your products or services. You can also use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and online websites like Google my Business to promote your business.

How Small Business Can Use a Blog for Local Lead Generation

There is no doubt that generating leads is essential for the success of any business, especially small businesses. And while there are many lead generation techniques, using a blog can be an effective, low-cost way to reach a wider audience.

Blogging allows you to share your expert knowledge with your audience, and it also provides an opportunity to connect with them on a more personal level. In order to generate leads through your blog, you need to provide valuable content that will interest your readers.

Here are some tips for lead generation through blogging:

1. Share your expertise. 

When you write about topics that you are knowledgeable about, you establish yourself as an expert in your field. This helps to build trust with your readers. When they know that you are an authority on the topic, they are more likely to contact you for services.

2. Optimize your blog for SEO. 

Make sure you include keywords in your posts that relate to your business. This will help your blog rank higher in search engine results pages, which means more new customers will see your content.

3. Include a call to action. 

When you finish writing a post, don’t forget to include a call to action. This is an invitation for readers to do something, such as contacting you for more information or subscribing to your email list.

4. Connect with social media. 

Make sure you connect your blog with each social media platform so that readers can easily share your content with their friends and followers.

5. Stay engaged with your readers. 

When you engage with your readers, they are more likely to become leads. Answer their comments and questions, and provide additional information when necessary.

Using a blog for lead gen can be an effective way to reach prospective customers. By following the tips above, you can create content that will interest your readers and help you achieve your lead generation goals.

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR LEAD GEN

How Small Business Can Use Social Media Sites for Local Lead Generation

There are so many social media sites out there that it can be tough to know which ones to use for lead generation. But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

Here are the two best social media sites for lead gen:

1) LinkedIn – LinkedIn is great for lead generation because it’s a site designed specifically for business networking. You can create a profile for your business, connect with prospects and partners, and even post job openings.

2) Facebook – Facebook is perfect for lead generation because of its huge user base. With over 2 billion active users, you’re guaranteed to find potential customers on Facebook. Plus, you can use Facebook Ads to target specific audiences and get your message in front of more people.

Each of these sites has its own pros and cons, so you’ll need to decide which ones work best for your business. LinkedIn is great for connecting with new customers and partners, and Facebook is perfect for targeting specific audiences.

GOOGLE MY BUSINESS FOR LEAD GEN

How Small Business Can Use Google My Business for Local Lead Generation

Another effective and sometimes overlooked way to generate leads is by using Google My Business. GMB is a free platform that helps business owners create a listing for their business on Google. And, when potential customers search for businesses in their area, they may see your listing among the results.

There are a number of ways you can use GMB to generate leads for your small business. For example, you can add photos and videos, create a website link, and post updates about your business. You can also add keywords to help people find your business online.

Another great feature of GMB is the ability to add coupons and special offers. This can be a great way to attract new customers and increase sales. You can also use GMB to manage your business reviews. By responding to reviews, you can show potential clients that you care about your customers and their experience with your business.

Google My Business is a great small business lead generation tool. By using GMB, you can create a listing for your business that will appear in search results, add photos and videos, post updates, add keywords, and manage your business reviews.

So, if you’re looking to generate more customers for your small business, be sure to check out Google My Business.

LEAD MAGNET FOR LEAD GEN

4. Use Lead Capture Forms + Lead Magnet

Lead capture forms are a great way to collect information from potential customers. You can use lead capture forms on your website or blog, or you can send them as an email opt-in offer. The best place for your lead capture form is on a landing page so that there are fewer distractions, and that leads to more conversions.

There are many options for building landing pages, most times your email marketing software will have one. If you want to skip the landing page creation you can use Smart Funnels, our ready-to-go sales funnel templates.

The Ebook Freebie Funnel Template is perfect for any business and includes the landing page, thank you page, form, and email delivery of the freebie. 

The best results with a lead capture form can come from using a lead magnet to entice people to sign up. A lead magnet is a piece of content that is attractive and useful enough to persuade someone to give their contact information in exchange for access.

Some best practices for creating high converting lead magnets include:

– Create a lead magnet that is specific to your business’ niche or industry. This will help to ensure that the lead magnet is relevant to the recipient and that they are more likely to find it useful.

– Offering something of real value in exchange for contact information. This could be a free report, e-book, template, or video tutorial.

– Make sure the lead magnet is easy to download and accessible on mobile devices.

– Including a strong call to action that encourages recipients to download the lead magnet.

How to Promote Your Lead Magnet

Once a lead magnet is created, it needs to be promoted in order to get your subscribers. 

Some ideas for promoting a lead magnet include:

  1. Posting links to the lead magnet on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
  2. Including the lead magnet link in email newsletters and other email marketing campaigns.
  3. Placement of the lead magnet link on your website or blog.
  4. Including the lead magnet link in paid advertising campaigns.

By using a lead magnet, small businesses can generate more leads from their digital marketing efforts. By creating a lead magnet that is relevant to your niche and offering something of real value in exchange for contact information, small businesses can increase the chances that recipients will download the lead magnet.

Additionally, by promoting the lead magnet using various marketing channels, small businesses can reach a larger audience and generate more leads.

The bottom line: lead magnets are a great way for small businesses to attract quality leads.

5. Provide Valuable Content

Another great lead gen opportunity for your small business is to provide valuable content. You can do this by publishing articles, blog posts, and e-books about your products or services. You can also offer free downloads or free trials of your products or services. By providing valuable content, you can attract potential customers and convince them to do business with you.

Here are some tips on how to create content that will attract customers:

1. Know your audience. 

When creating content, it’s important to keep your target audience in mind. What are their interests and needs? What kind of information would they find useful? Tailor your content accordingly.

2. Make it helpful. 

Your content should be helpful and provide value to your readers. Offer tips, advice, and information that will help them solve a problem or learn something new.

3. Be interesting. 

No one wants to read boring content. Make sure your writing is engaging and interesting to read.

4. Use keywords strategically. 

When including keywords in your content, do so in a way that is both relevant and interesting to your audience. Don’t just stuff your content with keywords for the sake of SEO; make sure they actually add value.

5. Promote it. 

Once you’ve created valuable content, be sure to promote it on social media and other channels. Share it with your followers and encourage them to check it out.

Creating valuable content is a great way to attract local leads and new business. By following these tips, you can create content that will attract more customers and convert them into buyers.

Conclusion

Lead generation for local businesses is crucial. By using the tips covered, you can increase the effectiveness of your marketing efforts, generate sales leads and grow your business.

  1. Use Lead Generation Tools
  2. Attend Networking Events
  3. Promote Your Business Online
  4. Use Lead Capture Forms
  5. Create Valuable Content

These lead gen strategies are an essential part of online marketing for any local business looking to increase its customer base. Using the right tools, you can easily find and connect with your local audience and new customers in your area.

Want to learn more about how to generate more leads for your local business? Sign up for my weekly email and get marketing tips, software suggestions, and lots of cool freebies to help you run your business smarter.

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About Digital Marketing Expert Torie Mathis

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs, like you, use digital marketing to grow your business without wasting time, money, or your sanity.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, speaker + trainer, and your digital marketing coach. You don't need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or dedicated staff to market your business. In fact, you don't even need a lot of time. What you need is to be SMART.

Torie hosts SMART AF, a show for non-techy entrepreneurs looking to grow their business, with her husband Sean and is the creator of SMART AF Magazine. Learn from Torie at the Smart Arsenal and on her channel.

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