My friend Rob just told me he was checking out a local fitness place. He was interested until he saw their website included some pandemic-related changes that probably aren’t still true, like canceled classes and limited hours. Since he doesn’t know for sure, he moved on to looking into a different place.

This is a great reminder to all of us. Now is the time to check your:

• website
• social media profiles
• Google business profile

Make a list and check over a few at a time.

While you are checking your website, make sure to check each and every page. Sometimes outdated info is lurking on pages you don’t look at very often yourself, but may still be misleading potential customers.

Here’s the checklist of basic info every small town business ought to include on their website.

At the very top:

• Full business name
• Business category, if it isn’t stated in the name

Location:

• City and state or territory
• Bonus: Include the country for people who landed via search
• Local service area
• Areas you ship to
• Street address that works with online directions
• Map of your location, or link to an accurate online map for directions

A word on service territories. Not “tri-state area” because there are an awful lot of those so it won’t be clear to people arriving by search. Give the names of the states, territories, counties or towns that you serve. Too many to list? Make a simple map.

Get in contact:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Bonus: social profiles where you are active

Come on in:

• Business hours
• Bonus: picture of your building or front door from the street

Buy something:

• Lines of business
• Specific brand names

Take time to check your site. You might be surprised at what’s missing.

And don’t bury these essentials in small type, or hard to find locations. Make them big, bold, obvious, and maybe even repeat them.

Yes, this still matters in a small town. You have visitors and new residents who need to find you.

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Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.

www.beckymccray.com

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