You can reach thousands of potential customers looking for a place to buy parts, in real time. It’s easy when you market your store on the Internet.

It doesn’t matter if you sell online or not. And you should do it even if you don’t have a website. I’m really excited about this because the number of Internet shoppers (not people buying online, people looking for a store) is growing each day. They’re using their computers and their phones to search for stores. And here’s an amazing fact from ATT: 43% of local mobile searchers actually walked through the door of a store! Compare that to any advertising you’re paying for, let alone something that can be free.

Try this challenge: go to Google, type in some products you sell and your city and state, or ZIP code (don’t type your store name yet). See what shows up. Is your store at the top of the results? Is it even listed?

Google Places

If not here’s one way to fix that. Go to Google Places and click on “Get Your Business Found on Google” to set up a free account. Just enter your address, hours, and everything else Google needs. You’re on your way!

Free Information on Internet Marketing

Here’s a quick way to learn more about Internet marketing. SEMA offers a free download of a webinar called “Local Search - Free & Low-Cost Strategies to Get New Customers from the Web” which you can download here.

If You Don’t Have a Website…

Finally, if you don’t have a website or you’re not happy with the one you have, I’d like you to look at DCi's new 'eStore Local' service. When shoppers are looking for your store, it’s just expected today that you should have a website, just like you have a phone number or parking lot.

Our eStore Local service is a low-cost way to have a professionally designed site to promote your store and your brands. It doesn’t have any complex online selling or a shopping carts but it does come with complete, detailed product information on thousands of parts and it helps market your store online. And down the road if you want to actually sell online, it’s a great first step.

If you'd like more information on a turnkey solution to market your store locally, or even if you just have questions about marketing your store on the Internet, send me an email or visit eStore Local.