7 Proven Strategies for Boosting Foot Traffic With Google’s Local Search Ads

In the competitive world of brick-and-mortar businesses, seven industry leaders, including CEOs and founders, have shared their strategies for leveraging Google’s Local Search ads to increase in-store visits. From enhancing online visibility to showcasing storefronts with targeted ads, discover how these experts use digital tools to drive foot traffic. 

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Enhance Online Visibility for Foot Traffic

Businesses that strategically leverage Google’s Local Search ads enhance their online visibility by facilitating direct access to vital information such as their address, contact number, and a map marker within search results. 

This approach significantly boosts foot traffic to physical locations by providing potential customers with easy-to-access details, thereby increasing the likelihood of them visiting the establishment. It represents a pragmatic adaptation to the digital landscape, aligning with consumer behavior patterns, as individuals often seek information on online platforms before making offline purchases or visits. 

In essence, integrating location information into Google Ads serves as a practical tool for businesses aiming to capitalize on local search queries, ultimately driving more traffic to their brick-and-mortar stores without explicit promotion.

Sacha Ferrandi, Founder & Principal, Source Capital

Set Up and Monitor Local Search Ads

Using Google’s Local Search ads to get people to come into a store has worked well in the past. How to do it: First, you set up your business on Google My Business. Make sure that all the information is correct, including where you are, when you’re open, and what you sell. Then, when you use Local Search ads, you show those ads to people who are likely to buy from you based on how close they are to your business. These ads are cool because they show up right at the top when someone searches for what you’re offering. That way, you can reach people nearby who are looking for what you have.

When you use click-to-call or directions right from the ad, that’s when the real fun starts. It’s really simple for people to get in touch with you or find your shop. I changed some things to get even more people through the door by keeping an eye on how things were going through Google Ads Inc. For example, we changed the ad text or tried different calls to action after seeing which keywords got more clicks. Getting potential customers to find you and get to your place with as little trouble as possible is the whole point. This hands-on method not only brought more people in, but it also helped us figure out what our local customers really want.

Margarita Hakobyan, Founder, Solopreneurs

Target Specific Local Searches

At Digital Web Solutions, our foray into Google’s Local Search ads was driven by amplifying foot traffic for a client’s café in a bustling city neighborhood. Drawing from our expertise in digital marketing and AI, I, Vaibhav, spearheaded a campaign that precisely targeted local coffee enthusiasts and remote workers looking for a cozy place to work. We tailored our ads to appear when individuals searched for the best coffee spots or work-friendly cafés in the area, ensuring our client’s café showed up at the top of these highly specific searches.

The impact was immediate and profound. Within weeks, the café saw a marked increase in customers, many of whom mentioned discovering the place through Google search. This approach wasn’t just about visibility; it was about connecting with the community personally, showing them exactly what they were looking for when they needed it. By harnessing the power of Local Search ads, we didn’t just increase foot traffic; we helped build a loyal customer base for our client, reinforcing the notion that in the digital age, targeted, local advertising can transform businesses by connecting them with their ideal customers right in their locale.

Vaibhav Kakkar, CEO, Digital Web Solutions

Use Geo-Targeted Ads for Event Attendance

Leveraging Google’s Local Search ads has been a game-changer for us at RankWatch, especially in driving foot traffic to our workshops and seminars. As the CEO & Founder, I recall a specific instance where our objective was to increase local attendance at a digital marketing seminar. By strategically utilizing Local Search ads, we targeted potential attendees within a specific radius, emphasizing the location’s convenience and the event’s value. The ads were designed to appear when users in the vicinity searched for keywords related to digital marketing, SEO workshops, or seminars.

The results were remarkably swift and impactful. We saw a significant uptick in inquiries and registrations from the local area, with many attendees mentioning how they “found us on Google” when looking for industry events nearby. This success story underscored the effectiveness of geo-targeted Local Search ads in bridging the gap between online searches and physical visits. It wasn’t just about broader visibility; it was about reaching the right people at the right time and place. This experience reinforced our belief in the power of targeted digital strategies to drive real-world outcomes, making it a staple in our marketing toolkit for event promotion.

Sahil Kakkar, CEO & Founder, RankWatch

Promote Events with Local Search Discounts

Using Local Search ads through Google, we promoted targeted first-aid training events at our Manchester location. We focused our campaign on raising awareness of first aid and emergency training and targeted relevant local keywords. 

By offering significant discounts on specific events, we could attract direct, interested consumers, including those actively searching for first-aid training in their area, and drive them directly to our Local Search ad that included a visible “Directions” link to our venue. This campaign doubled attendance at specific events, increasing overall foot traffic and raising brand awareness in our local community.

Sarah Jeffries, Founder, First Aid Courses Manchester

Drive Local Traffic with Relevant Keywords

Utilizing Google’s Local Search ads, we strategically targeted potential clients in Northern Alabama who were actively seeking personal injury legal services. By optimizing ad content with relevant keywords and location-specific information, we aimed to increase visibility among local searchers. Additionally, we leveraged location extensions to display our firm’s address, making it easier for users to find us. 

Through meticulous campaign monitoring and optimization, we ensured our ads appeared prominently in relevant local search results, driving increased foot traffic to our physical location. This approach proved effective in attracting local clients seeking legal assistance for personal injury cases, ultimately bolstering our firm’s presence in the community.

Hunter Garnett, Personal Injury Lawyer, Managing Partner, Decatur Personal Injury Lawyers

Showcase Storefront with Local Search Ads

We leveraged Google’s Local Search ads by optimizing our Google My Business listing with up-to-date information, engaging photos of our custom apparel, and positive customer reviews. We targeted ads to local keywords relevant to our industry and included promotions exclusive to our physical store. 

This strategy not only highlighted our location at the top of search results but also showcased our unique offerings, significantly increasing foot traffic as customers were motivated to visit and experience our products firsthand. The ads served as a direct link between online discovery and in-store visits, effectively bridging the gap between digital presence and physical retail.

Nicolas Krauss, Founder and CEO, dasFlow Custom Sublimation Apparel

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