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Franchise Marketing Best Practices for Directories, Maps, and Apps

Bassem Ghali is a 2-time winner of the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year award and a digital marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience working with companies such as Canadian Tire, Vistaprint, Remax Canada, Alpha Laps, Xplornet, and Toronto Star.


Search and social are not the only categories of listing. Several other options such as maps/GPS, directories and apps are also provided to the franchise marketing agency, therefore making listings and ads major methods of introducing new businesses to yourself. 


Though prominent, the possibilities of Maps and GPS boosting your franchise slightly depends on if someone searches in their area for an offering related to yours. A recent survey has proven that among the 70% costumers that show interests in location-based ads and alerts, about 53% will probably be attracted instantly, while the other 47% are likely to be attracted by further promotions. 


More reasons why your listings should always be updated is their ability to help draw new custumers by popping up on suggestions especially for Map apps such as Google Maps. Some online apps like Foursquare, and special apps that base on websites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor and others do present businesses close by to their costumers by categories. 


These types of listings that we mentioned earlier are usually controlled at corporate levels, but in cases where you are operating on a local marketing platform, the responsibility can be divided between the franchisor and the franchisees in a way that they can both work together. 


It is good to invest on maps and apps that are mostly obtained at the franchisor level, and patronized by franchisees when it comes to airing ads because larger purchases saves costs. 

It is also important to attend to all reviews (both positive and negative), and give respective responses. In the poll conducted about response to review conducted by Uberall above, about 70% responded that their reviews on stores where not replied to and many added that they stopped patronizing those stores. We can now extract that when it comes to reviews, whoever is managing them should communicate clearly and be keen to observe crucial information that can help in better decision making to the ends of costumer satisfactions. 

Customer Referral Offers

Many franchisors try to gain more clients by persuading their customers to suggest and recommend their franchises to other people. This referral system is mostly effective when tips are offered to the customers as extra motivation. 

Social Follows or Email Sign-up Offers

When social media was newly introduced, businesses often offered coupons to attract followers on social media platforms. Although it's not as popular as before, you can still find franchises that adopt this technique to build a list of customers. 

In some companies like the Coyote Ugly Saloon, to access free Wi-Fi, one must fill the sign up page that involves customer information and promotes social follows.  

Google's AI Overviews
by Bassem Ghali 14 Oct, 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI), local search engine optimization (SEO), and digital marketing aren't just buzzwords anymore; they're how your small business may realize its digital potential. The rules have again altered thanks to Google's recent innovations in generative AI search. This technology doesn't just make it faster to find information; it also changes how you study, plan, and even come up with new ideas, which will help you get more leads and grow your business. What is Generative AI Search? Imagine asking Google a complex question like, "Find the best HVAC technicians in North York with at least ten years of experience and emergency service availability." With generative AI, you won't have to wade through pages of results; instead, you'll get a brief synopsis of the best possibilities with links to their websites that emphasize their salient qualities. This feature is used by Google's new Gemini model, which is designed to search, to give more complete and easy-to-use results. How Can Generative AI Benefit Your Small Business? For small business owners in Toronto, like contractors, plumbers, or cleaning services, generative AI search offers a wealth of opportunities: Enhanced Local SEO Want to show up in those helpful AI summaries? Generative AI helps you understand what your customers are searching for and how to optimize your website accordingly. Check our Local SEO Services! Streamlined Research Do you ever feel like there is too much information for you to handle, especially when it comes to the newest ways to get rid of pests or fix water damage? Getting water from a firehose is impossible! The most important information can be summed up by generative AI to help you quickly understand what you need without being too overloaded. It's kind of like your own CliffNotes for staying up to date in your area. Improved Decision-Making Sometimes we get stuck on a paper while we try to figure out how to sell our business or buy new tools in a way that gets us the most for our money. It can feel like putting together a puzzle that no one has all the pieces for! But what if you had a professional with you to help you sort through the choices and weigh the pros and cons? AI that can make things can do that. To have someone you can trust help you make smart business choices is like having a trusted guide. Boosted Productivity You can focus on other important things while creative AI plans things like team-building events or meal plans.
by Bassem Ghali 10 Oct, 2024
Almost half (46%) of all Google searches are for local information, such as "near me" searches. Homeowners use their smartphones to find solutions for everything from leaky faucets to faulty wiring. For companies offering home services, roofing , electricians , plumbers and contracting like yours, local SEO is crucial to ensure that you are the top choice when urgent needs arise. This guide offers a simplified approach to local SEO, specifically designed for busy contractors or home service providers. We will avoid using complex language and provide practical strategies and real-world examples to help you attract local customers, convert leads, and dominate your service area. The Foundations of Local SEO Success Google My Business (GMB): Complete Your Profile: Include accurate and detailed information about your business. Verify Your Listing: Confirm your business's digital address with Google. Categorize Strategically: Select categories that precisely match your services. Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews build trust and credibility. Engage with GMB Posts: Share updates and offers to keep your profile active. NAP Citations: Ensure Consistency: Maintain identical Name, Address, and Phone number across all online platforms. Prioritize Quality: Focus on reputable directories and avoid spammy listings. On-Page Optimization: Keyword Research: Identify and incorporate relevant keywords into your website content. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling descriptions that entice clicks. Create Localized Content: Develop pages targeting specific neighborhoods or areas you serve. Mobile-First Approach: Ensure your website is responsive and user-friendly on all devices. Optimize Website Speed: A fast-loading website improves user experience and search rankings. Link Building: Local Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses for cross-promotion and link exchange. Community Engagement: Sponsor local events or participate in community forums to earn links and build goodwill. Guest Blogging: Share your expertise on relevant industry blogs to gain exposure and backlinks. Reviews and Reputation Management: Monitor Reviews: Actively respond to both positive and negative reviews. Address Concerns: Resolve issues raised in negative reviews to demonstrate customer commitment. Encourage Feedback: Make it easy for satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
by Bassem Ghali 08 Oct, 2024
Google AI Overviews in Search are now live. Google has announced that search results offer more than ever imagined with the help of generative AI. This new feature is made possible by a new Google Gemini model customized for Google Search, which brings advanced capabilities such as multi-step reasoning and planning. Imagine getting a quick, smart summary of any topic you search for online. That's what Google's AI Overviews do! They pull information from many places and give you the main points, like a super-intelligent friend explaining something. This is a significant change from how search used to work. Before, Google mostly looked for websites that matched the words you typed. Now, it's using AI to understand what you want to know, even if you don't say it perfectly. Consider this: earlier, you had to find the correct key to unlock the door. The door now understands your needs and opens itself! This new AI is altering the way websites are discovered. It is no longer just about repeating keywords. Websites must provide well-written, factual material that is useful to visitors. They must also be well-organized so that the AI can interpret them. For the ned user, this means getting better search results, get concise summaries at the top, and you can click to learn more. But it also means that creators – those who make websites – must improve their game. Imagine Google AI is a detective searching for clues. You wouldn't want to rely on gossip and rumors, right? You'd want solid evidence from trustworthy sources. The same goes for the information on your website. We can help, check our Digital Marketing & Local SEO Services . Google AI Overviews vs. Traditional Search Snippets AI overviews are transforming the way we search! They swiftly synthesize complicated subjects, extracting critical information from top publications. Consider it as a buddy explaining something complex. However, this affects websites since individuals may find answers without clicking links. People may obtain the necessary information without clicking on links. AI overviews are helpful but affect how we search for and locate information online. How to Adapting Your SEO Strategy for Google AI Overviews Want your website to shine in Google searches? Focus on amazing content that answers questions thoroughly. Think "how-to guides with all the bells and whistles!" Don't just follow easy recipes! A well-organized website is important if you want to share your baking knowledge. Tip: Use clear headings and a sensible flow to show how to do things like swap out ingredients and fix problems. This makes it easier for Google to find your content and show it off in AI Overviews. Content is still king! Google's primary job is to assist people in locating information by finding, processing, and rendering webpages before adding them to an end x. When a user types in a query, search engines extract and rank "relevant webpages from the index." By constantly improving and changing algorithms, the goal is to make sure that users get the most useful results.
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