The 7-Step Local Marketing Plan Every Business Should Steal

The 7-Step Local Marketing Plan Every Business Should Steal

If you're a local business owner, chances are you’re constantly juggling operations, customer service, and marketing—all at once. Unfortunately, marketing often gets the least attention, and the results show it.

That’s why we’ve created this simple 7-step marketing plan you can swipe and implement without hiring a big agency or spending a fortune. These are the same strategies we use with our clients to grow traffic, drive reviews, and increase sales—month after month.

 
Step 1: Define Your Ideal Customer
Marketing isn’t about reaching everyone—it’s about reaching the right people. Start by building a quick customer profile:

Age range
Location
Income level
Pain points
Where they spend time (online and offline)
Why it matters: If you’re trying to reach "anyone who might be interested," you’ll waste money. Specificity wins in local marketing.

 
Step 2: Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important free tools you have. It determines how you show up in local searches and Google Maps results.

Checklist:

Claim and verify your listing
Add real photos (team, office, products)
Keep hours updated
Respond to reviews
Use keywords in your description
Why it matters: This is often your first impression. Don’t leave it empty or outdated.

 
Step 3: Build a Simple Conversion-Focused Website
Your website doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to do one thing well: convert visitors into leads or customers.

Must-haves:

Mobile-friendly design
Clear headline and call-to-action
Contact info on every page
Testimonials and/or reviews
A form or button to schedule, call, or buy
Why it matters: You’re losing money every day your website doesn’t convert.

 
Step 4: Set Up a Review Collection System
Great reviews are like rocket fuel for local businesses. But most owners don’t ask for them—or ask too late.

What to do:

Ask immediately after a positive experience
Use automated email/SMS to request reviews
Provide a direct link to your review page
Use NFC cards or QR codes in person
Why it matters: Reviews improve search rankings and build trust fast.

 
Step 5: Start a Monthly Email Newsletter
Email isn’t dead—it just has to be useful. A monthly newsletter keeps you top of mind with past customers and prospects.

Ideas to include:

Tips or advice related to your service
Updates or promotions
Customer spotlights or reviews
Behind-the-scenes content
Why it matters: Most local businesses never follow up with past customers. That’s a huge missed opportunity.

 
Step 6: Post Weekly on Social Media (Without Overthinking It)
You don’t need to go viral. You need to show up consistently in the feed of people who already follow or like your business.

Easy content ideas:

Photos of your team at work
Customer testimonials
Before/after shots
Quick tips or how-to’s
Why it matters: Social proof and consistency build trust and visibility—even if you’re not an influencer.

 
Step 7: Track What’s Working
This step gets skipped way too often. You need to know what’s bringing in traffic, leads, and sales so you can do more of it.

Tools to use:

Google Analytics (for web traffic)
Call tracking (to measure phone leads)
Review software (to see review volume and trends)
CRM or spreadsheet to track where leads come from
Why it matters: Marketing should make you money. You can’t manage what you don’t measure.

 
Final Thoughts
This 7-step plan isn’t a theory—it’s a blueprint. Most small businesses fail at marketing because they skip the basics and chase shiny objects.

Start with this plan. Tweak it as you go. Measure results. And most importantly: stick with it. Marketing isn’t a one-time event—it’s a system.