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[Grab Your Hometown Advantage](http://grabyourhometownadvantage.com/)
Bringing a parade of buyers to your door – Online and Offline
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Hometown Advantages
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Brick and Mortar Businesses Connect
They connect to their:
Community Customers Competitors Industry Family and friends
And most of that is done face to face. You see each other outside of your work setting. You belong to various and social organizations. Your children grow up together, doing some of the same things.
People Know You
You have a track record, and some measure of word-of-mouth. You have developed a customer or client base–some percentage of whom are “regulars.” You have repetition and reputation going for you. You’ve got “history” with them. Even if they don’t buy from you, they know of you, know your name (and business name).
Hometown Advantages – Offline
Have a stake in the local market and existing business relationships (referrals and reputation) More cost efficient; lower overhead Fewer layers of decisions and approvals Direct contact with customers and clients; ability to build long-term relationships Owner is involved in every aspect of the operation Able to make changes quickly in response to shifts in market conditions or opportunities Greater customer feedback since close to the front lines
That used to be enough because people bought from the choices in their hometown. They still do. 80% of purchases are made with ten miles. But there’s been something new added. Even if customers will spend their money in their town, they will do some online research first. And when they do, they might find your competitors instead of you. Even regulars like to see what the choices are.
The Internet cannot match the kind of hands-on contact that is the everyday experience in local businesses.
There are also Online Advantages
The question is not whether an online presence is necessary. In this day and age it is–because customers expect it. It’s part of your customer service and to maintain communications in additional ways.
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