Beyond SEO; Marketing Ideas to Increase Your Overall Digital Footprint

1. Optimize Your Digital Home Base (Your Website)

Before you drive traffic anywhere, ensure your website is built to convert visitors into customers.

• Put a Face to the Name: Even if you are just selling widgets, put your headshot somewhere on your website (typically on the About page). The more high-quality images of you, the merrier. People buy from people they trust.
• Offer Value with Lead Magnets (E-guides): Are you in an industry where customers ask the same questions over and over? Create a helpful e-guide, e-pamphlet, or a series of mini-guides explaining the answers. Offer it as a free download on your website.
• Build an Email List (But Only If You’ll Use It): Use those e-guide downloads to collect email addresses. However, only do this if you actually plan to stay in touch with your list—aim for at least once a quarter to keep your business top-of-mind.
• Streamline Booking: If your business is appointment-based, integrate an online scheduling tool right onto your website. Tools like Calendly or Acuity make it seamless for clients to book you instantly.

2. Maximize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Your Google Business Profile is a massive pillar of your digital footprint. If you don't have one, or if yours is bare-bones, you are leaving money on the table.

• Fully Optimize Your Profile: Ensure your GBP has the Questions & Answers section filled out, and that your products and services are fully set up. Add high-quality photos regularly to help customers choose you.
• Post Like It’s Social Media: Did you know you can publish updates directly to your GBP? Treat it like another social media avenue for cross-posting your latest updates, offers, and blog links.
• Spy on the Competition: Look at your competitors' websites and Google Business Profiles to see what stands out. What do they offer that you don't? Vice versa, if you offer something they don't, play that up aggressively on your own site and GBP.

3. Crank Up Your Content & Social Media

• Maintain a Consistent Blog: Aim to blog bi-weekly, or monthly; at a minimum,  once a quarter. When you publish, always cross-post the link to LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Alignable, even Nextdoor (for some industries), and of course, Google Business Profile.
• Stay Active on Socials: Even when you don’t have a fresh blog post to share, post to social media at least twice a month—or as often as you can. (If you're stuck on what to write, check out my other blog post here for social media content ideas!)
• Videos Reach Audiences: Don't just share a link. Turn a single blog post into a quick 60-second video for Facebook/Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, or turn key takeaways into a text-only LinkedIn post.

4. Network and Build Quality Backlinks

A massive part of your digital footprint is how many other quality websites link back to yours.

• Leverage Chamber Directories: Join local Chambers of Commerce—and join more than one city if your budget allows. Go to the mixers and networking events, but the real secret weapon here is getting listed in their online directory. This creates a highly trusted local backlink to your website.
• Sponsor Local Events: Does your city or region host events? Become a sponsor. This usually secures a valuable backlink from their event website to yours, alongside physical exposure from having your logo on banners at the event itself.
• Join Structured Networking Groups: Join a local BNI (Business Network International) or a similar referral group. While they can be pricey and require a serious time commitment, if you need to jumpstart your revenue, it is well worth joining for a year or two to build deep business roots.
• Check Meetup for Free Events: If BNI isn't in the budget, check Meetup.com for free or low-cost local business networking events in your area.
• Position Yourself as a Guest Speaker: Are you a specialist in your field? Search online for industry-related groups, podcasts, or local associations where you can be a guest speaker. Give a brief presentation that focuses entirely on how your service benefits their specific audience.

5. Don't Ignore the Physical Footprint

Sometimes the best digital footprint starts offline.

• Hit the Local Billboards: Create a kick-ass flyer and place it on physical community bulletin boards, local YMCAs, and neighborhood restaurants or coffee shops.
• Leave Behind Branded Swag: If you visit local businesses or events, leave behind something useful (not just a business card). Branded pens, notepad blocks, or jar openers with your website’s URL keep your name on their desks long after you leave.

Final Thoughts

Any of these strategies, when executed well, have the potential to double your business.

If you want to pair these ideas with a rock-solid technical foundation, my tailored SEO packages are designed to do exactly that. Let's make sure that when people look for your services, they find you instead of your competition.

 

Kerri Marvel
Website Designer, SEO Doer, Blog Writer, Website Care Plan Administrator