If you’re running a cigar or tobacco business, you know how important it is to have a strong presence both online and locally.
With more and more consumers turning to the internet to find products and services, it’s essential to have a professional and visible online presence. But at the same time, building relationships and connections with your local community is key to attracting and retaining customers.
In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between online and local presence for cigar businesses, and give you some tips on how to strike the right balance.
What is an Online Presence
An “online presence” consists of the ways a business presents itself on the internet. Having an online presence is important for businesses because it allows them to reach a wider audience, interact with customers, and establish their brand online.
You may not be surrounded by many cigar shops in your geographical area, but the internet is a whole different ball game. You are competing with a wide variety of online businesses slinging similar products as you. A strong online presence here is absolutely necessary!
There are several elements that can contribute to a business’s online presence, including:
Websites: A business website is a central hub for information about the business, including its products or services, contact information, and other important details.
Social media accounts: Many businesses use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with customers and promote their products or services.
Online listings: Businesses can also be listed on online directories and review sites, which can help customers find them and learn more about their offerings.
Blog or content marketing: Some businesses use a blog or other forms of content marketing to share industry insights, company news, and other relevant information with their audience.
Having a strong online presence can help businesses attract new customers, engage with existing ones, and build their brand. It can also help businesses stay competitive in today’s digital landscape.
How is Local Presence Different from Online Presence?
A business’s local presence refers to the ways in which it is visible and active in the community where it is located. When it comes to cigar and tobacco businesses, in particular, a local presence can have an outsized effect. This is because of the social aspect that comes along with smoking cigars regularly, whether that’s customers with their friends or at your store’s lounge!
Let’s examine some ways in which a business’s local presence can differ from its online presence:
Physical location: A business’s local presence is often tied to a physical location, such as a storefront or office, while an online presence can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Personal interactions: A local presence often involves face-to-face interactions with customers and members of the community, while an online presence may involve more impersonal forms of communication, such as email or social media.
Target audience: A local presence is typically geared towards the local community, while an online presence can reach a global audience.
Both a local presence and an online presence are essential for businesses. A strong local presence can help companies to build relationships with their customers and the community. In contrast, an online presence can help businesses reach a wider audience and stay competitive in today’s digital landscape.
How to Build an Online and Local Presence for Your Cigar Business
There are certain strategies and factors to consider when building a balanced online and local presence for your cigar business. Some are unique to one or the other, and some apply to both. Here are the key points you need to focus on:
Be Visible Online
Make sure you have a professional-looking website that provides information about your products or services, contact information, and other relevant details. You should also consider setting up social media accounts and utilizing online directories and review sites to make it easier for customers to find and learn about your business.
Engage With Your Local Community
Participate in local events and organizations, and consider offering special promotions or discounts to local customers. You can also use local marketing tactics, such as printing flyers or placing ads in local publications, to get the word out about your business. As a business owner, make your face and personality a part of your marketing to appeal to hometown buyers.
Focus on Customer Service
Not only does customer service help you retain current customers, but it also boosts your chance of getting first-time buyers referred to you by happy customers. Whether you’re interacting with customers online or in person, providing excellent customer service is key to building a strong presence for your business. Respond to customer inquiries and complaints promptly, and make sure to address any issues or concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Stay Active and Consistent
To maintain a strong presence both online and locally, it’s important to stay active and consistent in your marketing efforts. This means regularly updating your website and social media accounts, participating in local events and organizations, and providing high-quality products or services to your customers. Marketing is not a one-off action, and maintaining a presence means just that — maintaining it!
Cigarketing Can Help Build Your Online and Local Presence for Your Cigar Business
Cigarketing is the marketing agency a cigar shop can rely on to get more people in their shop, to sell out their events, and to take off their plate the burdens of social media and email promotion. The cigar industry deserves an agency tailored for cigar business owners, fueled by a team that loves both marketing and cigars.
You didn’t open your cigar shop or launch your cigar brand so you could worry about Google maps, search engines, event promotion, or web design. You created your business to serve your customers who love cigars. Cigarketing exists to ensure your shop stays full, the cigars move off your shelves, and you dominate your local market.
We’re ready to make you the best cigar shop in your city. Are you?
See what Cigarketing can do for you!