Marketing is important for any business, but it can be expensive. If you run a cafe with a limited budget, don't worry! There are ways to promote your business for free. Here are three ideas:
1. Create a Google Business account.
2. Optimize for Local SEO:
3. Host a social media contest
By using these simple and free marketing strategies, you can attract more customers to your cafe without breaking the bank!
1. Create a google business account
Google my business is an excellent way to do some free marketing.
What is a google business account?
Google My Business—now called Google Business Profile—allows business owners to reach customers via Google Search and Google Maps.
It is a free tool provided by Google that allows businesses to create an online listing with information about their company.
Creating my Google business account can allow you to show up on searches related to your business.
Benefits of a google business account
1. Search results:
When someone searches for a cafe in your area on Google, your business listing may appear in the search results, providing them with information about your location, hours, reviews, and more.
2. Google Maps:
Your business listing will appear on Google Maps, making it easy for people to find your cafe and get directions.
3. Reviews:
Customers can leave reviews on your Google My Business listing, which can help to attract new customers who are searching for a cafe with positive reviews.
4. Business information:
Google allows you to add in basic and essential information about your business. This gives a customer all
the information they need to find your location to know your opening hours to be able to get in contact and much more
How to create a google business account?
Creating a google business account is a simple straightforward process that invloes you inputing inforamtion about your business so that google can display the information to potenial customers.
Click here to see googles step by step guide to setting up a google business account.
2. Local SEO
Google will Award the most relevant listings into their "3 pack listings”
Attaining a spot on google 3 pack listing is free real estate and will sky rocket the discoverability of your cafe!
How to attain a spot on googles 3 pack listing:
1. Fill out your Google Business Profile page entirely
Fill out your listing completely, so users can gather specifics about your cafe.
The more information on your account the more Google will trust you and in return will reward you with eventually getting a 3 Pack listing.
2. Get reviews on your Google profile
Google's algorithm takes into account the quantity and quality of reviews when determining search rankings. The more positive reviews you have, the higher your business will rank in Google search results.
3. Build a social media presence
Having a social media presence can enhance your Google listing by directing more traffic to your listing.
Engaging with your audience on social media can encourage them to visit your website and leave reviews which can increase your organic traffic and improve your Google ranking.
3. Host a social media giveaway
Social media giveaways are a great way to:
- Increase brand awareness,
- Attracting more customers
- Increasing your followers
- Spreading goodwill and applying "the Law of Reciprocity"
- Encourages user-generated content
Contest details
To allow people to enter your giveaway they must complete some sort of action, here's an example of actions that may benefit your cafe
- Tag 2 of your friends
- Encourage engagement by asking an open ended question "tell us your go to coffee"
- Repost to their story
- Make sure their following your page
These are a few ideas for actions you may want your customer to complete to be entered to the giveaway.
Here's an example of a restaurant that utilised giveaways to grow their audience.
To maximize the effectiveness of social media giveaways, you should ensure that the giveaway is relevant to their target audience and the prize is enticing.
They should also make it easy to enter and share the giveaway on social media. By doing so, you can increase your online presence and attract more customers to your cafe.
Conclusion
Creating a free Google Business account and incorporating local SEO can provide your café with many benefits:
- Appear in search results.
- Appear on Google Maps, allowing potential customers to find your location and get directions.
- Allow customers to leave reviews, which can attract new customers who are searching for a café with positive reviews.
- Display essential information about your café, such as opening hours and contact information.
Hosting social media giveaways is also a great way to increase brand awareness, attract more customers, and engage with your audience:
- Increase brand awareness by reaching a wider audience and attracting new followers.
- Encourage user-generated content by having participants post about the giveaway on their own social media accounts.
- Boost engagement by encouraging people to comment, like, and share the post.
- Increase customer loyalty by showing that you value their support and appreciate their business.
Combining these strategies can increase your online presence and attract more customers to your café. Remember to make it easy for customers to find you online, provide them with relevant and useful information, and engage with them through social media.
By utilizing these free online marketing strategies, you can maximize the benefits of the free tools available to you.