The pet care industry is quickly growing. Pet owners reportedly spent more than $75 billion this year on their furry companions and this number is expected to rise in the coming years. We cannot deny that there is a strong market for pet-related services. Increased opportunities also mean tougher competition among small businesses offering similar products and services. Implementing the right digital marketing strategies can help pet websites and local business owners compete with bigger brands and chain stores.
Building relationships with pet owners and creating a connection with individuals with similar interests open new opportunities for pet sites to expand their market reach. Here are some tried-and-tested strategies you can implement to improve online awareness for your pet business.
Optimize your website
The truth is, you don’t need to build complete pet website designs to succeed online. Strikingly’s collection of pet website templates provides more than sufficient foundation for you to build your brand. There’s no need for you to learn how to code to get your site up. The templates and intuitive site editor, along with integrated tools and features enable you to create a functional website in just a few minutes.
However, you have to make your content comprehensive and informative. Your pet shop website should contain complete information about your business - i.e. your location, hours of operation and contact details - and make them easy to find on your page to cater to people who are on the go. Communicating the core values of your company and your passion for pet welfare is also highly recommended.
Search engine optimization
If you want to be one of the best pet websites in your area, you have to make your business searchable on the internet. People have to be able to find you easily in a sea of similar sites and businesses in order to patronize your brand. Search engines drive traffic to your website so you want to make sure your page is listed in relevant search results.
Search engine optimization refers to a series of activities dedicated to improving your website’s search engine results placement. Strikingly has an integrated SEO tool to help you optimize your website and edit your metadata. This enables search engines to understand what your site is about. Building quality links by getting listed in local online directories is also another way to improve your searchability.
Engage your audience
Social media engagement enables pet store owners to create communities and engage potential and current customers online. Linking your pet site to your social media pages is a good way of consolidating your online presence. Add your social media pages to your website and create a social stream. Encourage website visitors to follow you on social networks to get live updates on your services and products. Answer questions on social media groups and be a reliable source of information on this platform.
You can also add a blog to your pet websites to keep your customers engaged. Provide relevant information that your visitors look for such as pet care advice, tips on how to choose the right pet or dog breed according to lifestyle or any other information you may want to share that you feel will enrich your customer’s life. Be a website that people turn to for advice on pet-related concerns.
You can take content marketing to another level by creating a regular newsletter. Encourage visitors to subscribe to keep them updated on the latest products and services you offer. Overall, create a website that people will want to keep coming back to. Use strong visuals, professionally done images and videos and carefully worded content to attract repeat customers.
