Get More Calls for Your Business: Local Tips for a Strong Start to the Year

As a small business owner, one of your main goals is likely to increase customer engagement and drive sales. A significant portion of this engagement comes through phone calls—whether they’re inquiries, appointment bookings, or requests for more information. A phone call is a direct and personal interaction that can lead to conversions, making it a valuable source of leads. As you approach the start of a new year, leveraging local SEO and other strategies to get more calls for your business is essential.

In this article, we’ll explore local tips and strategies that can help you increase the number of phone calls your business receives, ultimately driving more revenue and ensuring a strong start to the year.

1. Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is one of the most powerful tools in driving phone leads for your business. When customers search for businesses locally, your GMB profile often appears in the search results or in Google Maps. It’s essential to fully optimize this profile to ensure maximum visibility and drive more phone calls.

• Complete Your Profile: Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and business hours are accurate and consistent. This will help Google display your profile to the right audience.

• Add a Call Button: A key feature in Google My Business is the "Call" button, which allows potential customers to contact your business with just a tap. Ensure that this feature is clearly visible and working properly on mobile devices.

• Update with Photos and Posts: Upload high-quality photos of your business and products, as these can make your listing more attractive and trustworthy. Additionally, post regular updates about promotions, news, or special events, as this can prompt customers to take action and call for more information.

2. Focus on Mobile Optimization

A large percentage of local searches come from mobile devices. This means your website needs to be optimized for mobile users to convert those searches into phone calls. A mobile-friendly site ensures that potential customers can easily access your contact information, call you directly, and make inquiries while they are on the go.

• Mobile-First Design: Ensure your website uses a mobile-responsive design, which automatically adjusts to fit different screen sizes.

• Click-to-Call: Include a click-to-call button on your website and landing pages, allowing visitors to call you with a single tap, especially for mobile users. This reduces friction and encourages immediate action.

• Fast Load Times: If your website takes too long to load on mobile devices, potential customers may abandon it before they even get the chance to contact you. Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to ensure your site loads quickly.

3. Use Localized Keywords on Your Website and Blog

Incorporating local keywords into your website content helps improve your local SEO ranking, which in turn makes it more likely that customers will find your business when searching for products or services in your area.

• Location-Specific Keywords: Use keywords that include your city or region in key parts of your website, such as in your title tags, meta descriptions, and headers. For instance, instead of just saying “plumbing services,” use “plumbing services in [City Name].”

• Local Blog Posts: Publish blog posts that address local events, issues, or topics related to your industry in your community. For example, a local plumber could write about how to prepare pipes for cold weather in their city. This type of content positions your business as a local authority and drives more local traffic to your site.

4. Encourage Online Reviews and Respond Promptly

Online reviews not only build trust and credibility but also play a significant role in driving phone calls. Positive reviews from satisfied customers can inspire prospects to reach out to your business for help or to make a purchase.

• Encourage Reviews: Ask your happy customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. You can do this in person, via email, or through social media.

• Respond to Reviews: Actively engage with your reviews—both positive and negative. A prompt, thoughtful response shows that you care about customer feedback and can help build stronger relationships. It also signals to potential customers that your business is responsive and reliable.

5. Use Local Ads to Boost Call Volume

If you’re looking to give your business a boost early in the year, local online advertising can help drive calls directly to your business. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target specific geographic locations, ensuring that your ads reach the right audience.

• Google Ads: Use pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns that target local keywords. You can create ads specifically designed to prompt phone calls with extensions like “call now” buttons, or create location-based ads that emphasize your proximity to the searcher.

• Facebook Ads: With Facebook, you can target users based on their location, interests, and behaviors. Running ads that feature a phone number or a “Call Now” button can drive calls directly from the platform.

6. Create Special Offers to Drive Phone Inquiries

People love to feel like they’re getting a good deal, so offering promotions that encourage people to pick up the phone can drive more calls.

• Limited-Time Offers: Use urgency in your offers, such as a discount or special promotion that expires soon. This creates an incentive for customers to act fast and call your business to take advantage of the deal.

• Exclusive Deals for Callers: Offer special discounts or services for customers who call directly. This incentivizes phone interactions and can lead to higher-quality leads.

7. Provide a Great Call Experience

Once customers call your business, you want to ensure that the experience is seamless and efficient. Providing a positive call experience is key to converting inquiries into sales and building customer loyalty.

• Fast Response Time: Ensure that phone calls are answered quickly, or that customers have access to a voicemail system that clearly outlines the next steps.

• Train Your Team: Make sure your team is well-trained in handling phone inquiries, including how to answer questions, provide accurate information, and close the deal.

• Use Call Tracking: Implement call tracking software to monitor call volume, source, and outcomes. This allows you to see which marketing efforts are driving the most calls and optimize accordingly.

8. Leverage Social Media for More Phone Leads

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are great for increasing visibility and engagement, and they can also drive phone leads when used strategically.

• Clickable Contact Information: Ensure that your phone number is easily accessible on your social media profiles and posts. You can also link your social media posts to a landing page with a prominent “Call Now” button.

• Run Interactive Social Media Campaigns: Engage your audience with contests, polls, or surveys that encourage interaction. You can ask followers to call for more information, or to enter a giveaway, for example.

Conclusion

Getting more calls for your business is a multi-faceted process that requires a combination of optimized online presence, targeted advertising, and a positive customer experience. By implementing these local tips and strategies—such as optimizing your Google My Business profile, encouraging reviews, using local SEO, and offering special deals—you can increase the volume of calls your business receives, and set yourself up for a successful start to the year. Remember, the more effort you put into making it easy for potential customers to find you and get in touch, the more likely you are to drive valuable leads and grow your business.