Make it Easy for Customers to Find You

Make it Easy for Customers to Find You

Just because you are a small business doesn't mean you can't have a big presence, online and in the community. With the right marketing tactics, and a supportive partner like Trenton Downtown Association (TDA), you can get your business in front of an interested audience every day. Best of all, it doesn't have to take a ton of time or cost a bucket of money, if you start with the basics.

5 Small Business Basics to Get You Noticed

1. Check your signage and storefront

It’s important that people can clearly identify your business from the street. If not, it may be a good time to give your business a mini makeover. You may need a new sign or sandwich board, or a whole new facade. First impressions count. Talk to us about TDA’s Facade Improvement Grant Program (see below).

2. Sign up for a Google My Business account

This free tool lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. If you already have an account, take a few minutes to make sure your listing is updated with the right address, your current hours and recent photos. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on your page. If you don’t have an account already, start here. Note that you must have a physical address to sign up.

3. Launch a responsive website — even if it’s just one page

There are many free website-building tools available today. You don’t need to be a developer or hire one to create a landing page with basic information about your business and a way to contact and find you. Most new website-building tools today are responsive, which means they adjust to screens of different sizes, from cell phones to desktops. This is very important.

4. Keep at least one social media page active

Platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram give your business an instant boost online. But with so many platforms, and so few hours in the day, we recommend busy small business owners focus on one or two, and make sure they are optimized and kept up to date. We can help you decide which ones are best for your business. Photos and video rule social media. Keep your pages active and real.

5. Check your listings, starting with TDA's Business Directory

We will add or update your information in the Business Directory on our website, add your events to our website events calendar and weekly events email blast, provide marketing consultations and more. You should also enter your business name, address and phone number on sites like Yelp to make sure your info is correct. Check and manage comments and reviews.