5 Tools Moms Use to Search for Businesses Like Yours

THE ART OF BEING FOUND

This week's tip is understanding the resources moms use to find local, kid-friendly businesses like yours.

Once you understand that, there's a whole lot you can do to improve your chances of being the answer to their search.

So how do moms search for local, kid-friendly businesses? These top 5 tactics reigned supreme.

1. GOOGLE RULES

When moms are looking for an indoor play gym, dentist or gymnastics class for their kids, what do they do? They turn to Google.

73% of moms said they start with a google search.

What can you do?

At a minimum: Make sure you've got a complete Google My Business profile.

To take it further: Do a google search. Google words and phrases that you'd use if you were a mom trying to find your business. See where your business falls in the list of results.

You can improve your ranking by adding even more content to your Google My Business profile - photos and posts, making sure you have positive online reviews and checking for citation consistency (name, address, phone numbers match on all online directories).

2. YOUR WEBSITE IS KEY

80+% of moms also said they look at businesses' websites they've already heard of to learn more about them.

What can you do?

At a minimum: Make sure your web presence is strong so when they find you, they're impressed.

To take it further: Promote your business through paid advertising, local events, etc. so more moms are aware of your business. That way, they'll turn to you, when they need you.
 

3. SOCIAL MEDIA RECOMMENDATIONS MATTER

The next most popular way moms started their search was by posting to social media to get recommendations. 54% of moms said this is one of the first things they do.

What can you do?

At a minimum: Make sure you have a strong Facebook presence so if a mom wants to recommend your business, she can post a quick link to your page.

To take it further: Be active in parent facebook groups so you can chime in and respond or offer a free trial class or a free consult when someone is looking for a business like yours.
 

4. LOCAL WEBSITES & DIRECTORIES ARE MOM'S BEST FRIEND

The next most popular answer was accessing a local community or family website, like Patch, Hulafrog or others, to find businesses in a specific category.

What can you do?

At a minimum: Make sure your business is listed on respected, third-party websites that have directories. And that listings on these sites accurately represent what your business has to offer.

To take it further: Most community sites or directories allow you to claim your profile and edit it. It's a good idea to do just that.

Bonus: Listings on these third-party sites will also help your business show up higher in search engine results.

5. FRIEND REFERRALS ROCK

Moms still ask friends for in-person referrals at the park or school pick up.

What can you do?

At a minimum: Just do what you do best, and your customers will refer you.

To take it further: Introduce a customer referral program where customers are rewarded for sending friends your way. Your best customers can be your best marketers.

LET'S RECAP

TODAYS SIMPLE TIP: Understand how moms search for you. (You've already accomplished that by reading this newsletter. That was easy!)

Now just think about some of these simple things you can do—over time—to ensure more moms, looking for you, will find you!