Dog-walking services have long been considered a minor job, often given out to teens and kids looking to increase their allowance. However, as more pet owners demand trustworthy services for their furbabies when they’re away, the need to legitimize this type of service has also increased. And, over the years, successful entrepreneurs have met this demand with their improved methods of marketing.
However, this sudden spike in aspiring and budding dog walking companies will make it harder for you, as an entrepreneur to break into the market. Especially with the rise of digital marketing, standing out amidst the online noise can be a tough challenge, as you now need expert help from SEO companies.
So, what can you do to generate a loyal local following for your Etobicoke dog walking services, that you can rely on during the first few months of opening? Well, it all boils down to unbeatable marketing strategies. And, the only way to do that is to understand how marketing is changing, and adapting to it.
8 Tips to Boost Your Marketing Strategy
Boost your marketing influence with these strategies:
1. Develop a Website
Websites in the digital market are the equivalent of store lobbies in the physical world. Having one developed for your dog walking company will allow customers to better contact you and learn more about your offered services.
However, for it to work efficiently, it has to be well-designed as well, which means it has to be user-friendly, organized, and intuitive. Search engines like Google also prioritize websites that have functioning on-page elements in their search ranking.
If you’re unfamiliar with this technical aspect, you can always hire professionals. to help you. What’s even better is that you can add in an A.I. booking software for easier customer transactions.
2. Prioritize Business Legitimacy
Customer trust is integral for any business. The only way to reinforce that is to establish your business’ legitimacy in the market. You have to acquire a proper business permit and license to ensure customers that their pets will be with trained professional hands.
Getting insured will also help you provide better services in case of any tragic accidents or emergencies. So, get certified now and show your customers that you can be trusted with their furbabies.
3. Connect with Social Media Channels
Social media channels are digital communal hubs that allow the netizens of today to openly communicate with each other. From Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more, these platforms not only benefit consumers, as it makes it easier for them to find and contact businesses but for businesses as well, as it allows for wider market reach.
As a budding dog walking service, you need to take advantage of this unprecedented connectivity by maximizing your online presence in these channels. You can do that by creating a business page and posting about your offered services, deals, and packages.
Another way to entice customers is to stand out through your posts with clever, witty, and memorable content. This sudden shift in digital platforms surely shows how marketing is changing. So, adapt to it now, or else you’ll be lagging.
4. Update with Blogs
Search engines tend to view websites that update regularly as more competent and relevant. To make sure that you rank higher in the SERPs and gain more customer traffic, practice a systematic blog posting routine.
These weekly or monthly updates will alert both search engines and customers regarding your business’ relevance. However, writing random blogs may only do more harm than good.
So, before you create your posts, make sure to develop high-quality content that caters to your customers’ queries and needs. In case you’re asking, are marketing agencies worth it? Well, their expertise works best under this aspect, as they can help you create better articles.
5. Hand out Business Cards
Handing out business cards to passersby and customers may seem like an outdated marketing strategy. However, even though the rise of digital advertising shows how marketing is changing, this traditional networking method still works.
This is especially true for face-to-face services such as dog walking since you’ll be interacting with the owners constantly. It’s best to have a stack of well-designed business cards ready in case any passersby would ask a question. You can just hand out your card and make it easier for them to contact you.
6. Get Listed Online
Online directories are a good way for netizens to navigate around local establishments. These local listings though have to be updated constantly to avoid any confusion and miscommunication.
So, if you’re planning on getting listed, you have to commit to updating your contact info and operational hours to prevent any dissatisfied customer from coming to your doors or ranting online.
These directories can also be linked to your original website, so getting listed on them can increase your online traffic. You may send an email or contact these directories directly to have your dog walking service listed.
7. Self-promotion
Self-promotion is the most efficient way of marketing. It’s the most affordable since you won’t need any outside advertisers to help you. You can do this through social media by posting photos of yourself with satisfied customers, or posting positive reviews on your page and website.
However, if you’re looking for a faster way to promote your services, then it’s best to hire a trusted professional. It may be expensive and can have you asking are marketing agencies are worth it, but it’s a good investment in the long run.
8. Invest in Branding
Logo and branding are more than just colour palettes and catchy slogans. The main essence of effective branding lies in the psychological bond that you create with your customers through iconography.
In a single symbol, you have to impart the message and company values. It has to reflect your mission as a dog walking company. So, if you’re asking are marketing agencies worth it? Well, their expertise is much needed in this matter, as they will know the current design trends in the market that customers will resonate with.
Marketing your dog walking services in today’s cutthroat industry is no mean feat. It requires proper foresight and comprehension of how the industry works. For you to stand out and beat your competitors, you have to utilize all the technological tools available. You can study them on your own. However, if you’re unsure, you can always consult marketing agencies.
