How To Target Local Traffic For Freelance Growth

For many freelancers, targeting local traffic is a key strategy for finding work and building a client base. By focusing on the needs of local businesses and individuals, SEO consultants can establish themselves as experts in their field and attract clients who are looking for high-quality services and personalised attention. In this way, targeting local traffic can be highly effective for freelancers to grow their business and build a strong reputation within their community. However, freelancers need to understand the unique challenges and opportunities of working in a local market to successfully target local traffic and develop a targeted marketing strategy tailored to their specific community’s needs. This might include a combination of tactics such as local SEO, targeted advertising, community outreach, and collaboration with other local businesses.

Here are some strategies you can use to target local traffic:

Optimise Your Website For Local Search

Ensure your website includes your location in critical areas such as page titles, headers, and content. This can help your website rank higher in local search results and attract more local traffic. Optimising a website for local search is an essential strategy for freelancers looking to attract local clients. Here are some ways to optimise a website for local search:

• Use location-based keywords throughout your website, such as your city or region, to help search engines understand where your business is located and what services you offer.
• More and more people are searching for businesses on their mobile devices, so ensuring your website is optimised for mobile is important. Is your website responsive, uses different content and has images that don’t take too long to load on a 4G and 3G network?
• Use schema markup to provide search engines with additional information about your business, such as your address, phone number, and business hours.
• Publish blog posts or content relevant to your local community to attract visitors and improve your search rankings.

Claim Your Business Listings

Optimise your listings on local business directories such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Yellow Pages. This can help to increase your visibility in local search results and make it easier for potential clients to find you.

5-Step Guide to help get listing on Google Local Business.

1. Go to Google My Business: Start by going to Google My Business, which is a free tool provided by Google for businesses to manage their online presence.
2. Sign in or create an account: If you already have a Google account, sign in. If not, create a new account by clicking the “Sign Up” button and following the prompts.
3. Enter your business information: Once you’re logged in, enter your business name and address. If your business doesn’t have a physical location, you can choose to hide your address.
4. Verify your business: Google will ask you to verify your business to ensure that you are the owner or authorised representative. You can choose to verify your business by mail, phone, email, or instant verification (if you’re already verified with Google Search Console).
5. Optimise your listing: Once your business is verified, you can optimise your listing by adding photos, hours of operation, and other details to help potential customers find and contact you.

By claiming and optimising your business listing on Google, you can increase your visibility in local search results and attract more customers to your business. Keep your listing up-to-date and respond to customer reviews to build trust and establish a robust online presence.

Google Business also allows you to add posts, reviews, products and services. Make sure to add these to the console and keep them current.

Get Involved With Local Communities

Participate in local business events and networking groups, and consider sponsoring local events or charities. This can help to increase your visibility in your community and establish you as a local expert in your field. As a freelancer, getting involved in local communities is a great way to build your professional network, establish yourself as a local expert in your area, and attract new clients. Here are some strategies you can use to get involved in your local community:

• Attend local events: Attend local business events such as networking events, conferences, and trade shows to meet other professionals in your area and establish connections.
• Join local groups: Join local business groups and organisations such as chambers of commerce or industry-specific associations to meet other professionals and learn about opportunities in your area.
• Volunteer: Volunteer your time and skills to local charities or non-profit organisations to build relationships and give back to your community.
• Sponsor events: Consider sponsoring local events or organisations to increase your visibility and establish yourself as a community supporter.
• Offer pro bono work: Offer your services pro bono to local organisations or businesses to build your portfolio and gain exposure in your community.
• Participate in online communities: Join local social media groups and online communities to participate in discussions and connect with other professionals in your area.

Getting involved in your local community can build relationships, establish yourself as a trusted resource, and attract new clients. Remember to be genuine in your interactions and focus on building long-term relationships with others in your community.

Use Social Media To Connect With Local Audiences

Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to connect with local audiences and promote your services. You can also join local social media groups and participate in discussions related to your industry. Here are a few examples to get you rocking and rolling:

• Use local hashtags on your posts to help your content get discovered by local audiences. Research popular hashtags in your area and include them in your posts.
• Use the geo-tagging feature on social media to tag your location and make it easier for local audiences to find you.
• Engage with local followers by responding to comments and direct messages. This can help you build relationships and establish yourself as a local expert in your field.
• Collaborate with other local businesses on social media by tagging them in your posts or sharing their content. This can help you reach new audiences and establish partnerships in your community.
• Share local news and events on your social media channels to show you are connected to your community and interested in what’s happening in your area.
• Consider running social media ads targeted to your local area to reach new audiences and promote your business.

Using these strategies, freelancers can connect with local audiences through social media and build their businesses in their local community. Remember to stay consistent with your posting and engage with your followers to build lasting relationships.

Offer Local Promotions And Discounts

Offer promotions and discounts to local customers to attract new business and build loyalty. This can help to establish your business as a trusted and valuable resource in your community.

Here are some ways freelancers can offer discounts and promotions to their local audience:

• Offer discounts or promotions during seasonal events such as holidays or back-to-school season.
• Offer discounts to existing clients who refer new business to you.
• Create limited-time advertisements to create a sense of urgency and encourage clients to take action.
• Offer discounts to first-time clients to incentivise them to try your services.
• Create social media promotions, such as contests or giveaways, to attract new followers and clients.

When offering discounts and promotions, it’s essential to be clear about the terms and conditions and communicate the value of your services. By providing targeted deals and promotions to your local audience, you can attract new clients and build your business in your local community.

Collaborate With Other Local Businesses

Partner with local businesses that share your target audience, and consider cross-promoting each other’s services. This can help to increase your reach and attract new local clients.

Here are some ways freelancers can collaborate with other local businesses:

• Collaborate with other businesses by offering cross-promotions. For example, a web designer could partner with a local photographer to offer discounted website design and photography services packages.
• Attend local networking events to meet other business owners and build your network. Exchange business cards and follow up with potential partners to discuss possible collaborations.
• Collaborate with other businesses to co-host workshops, seminars, or networking events. This can help you establish yourself as a thought leader and attract new clients.
• Join local business groups or organisations such as chambers of commerce or industry-specific associations to meet other professionals and learn about opportunities in your area.

When collaborating with other businesses, it’s crucial to approach it as a mutually beneficial partnership. Be clear about your goals and what you can offer, and be open to feedback and suggestions. By collaborating with other local businesses, freelancers can build their network, establish themselves in the local community, and attract new clients.

Using these strategies to target local traffic can increase your visibility and attract new clients. Remember to provide excellent service and build client relationships to ensure long-term success.