Local is a word used to describe an individual, company or organization that operates or services a specific location. It also refers to an area or group of people who have a strong affinity for a particular place and are committed to supporting that community.
Local businesses and organizations are essential to the health of local communities because they increase economic activity, promote local business growth, generate new jobs, and support non-profit organizations that help improve the lives of residents. Additionally, they can reduce environmental impact by encouraging local purchase of goods and services, reducing sprawl, pollution, congestion, habitat loss and greenhouse gas emissions.
When it comes to identifying and supporting locally-owned companies, one of the first things to do is to check whether they have an online presence. If they do, you need to make sure that their website is well-optimized and easy to navigate. This is particularly important if you want to attract visitors who are searching for your type of business in your local area.
Many local business owners neglect to optimize their websites, and they are missing out on a huge opportunity to get their products or services in front of consumers who need them. Having a well-designed, easy-to-navigate website that loads quickly is an essential component of your local marketing strategy.
In addition to your own website, you should also focus on the content you publish on social media and other online platforms. This can include customer reviews and testimonials, but it is also a great idea to encourage bloggers, columnists, news sites and other writers to write about your products and services in an editorial capacity.
These sentiment-focused efforts have been proven to have a profound impact on consumer behavior and are an important part of any local SEO campaign. Consequently, it is imperative to prioritize these special forms of content within your overall local search marketing budget.
Another local trend that is affecting your local marketing strategies is the growing interest in food production that takes place within a defined region or “foodshed.” These are often policy-driven, with a goal of supporting the development of farms and farmers who grow food in a specified geographical area.
But while sourcing local food is a good way to help improve the quality of life in your community, it also has its challenges. There are numerous pain points involved in food production that are increasingly causing farmers to close their doors or dramatically downsize, making it difficult for them to maintain a viable business.
This has caused a huge disruption in the industry, as well as an increasing demand for food that is more locally grown. It has also caused a major increase in the number of businesses focusing on selling local foods.
The demand for locally grown food has become so powerful that the United Nations has declared a worldwide campaign to promote locally-sourced food as a priority. The UN’s goal is to have 50% of all food produced in the global economy come from local sources by 2030, and this number is likely to grow as more people realize the benefits of buying locally.
