How Facebook’s “Nearby” Tool Can Help Your Business
Filed Under Social Marketing
Facebook recently updated its “Nearby” tool, which users can access through their mobile apps. The app will now let users find nearby businesses based on information from their Facebook friends. This can be from recommendations or likes, ratings for businesses and check-ins.
People who are looking for a local business can use the Nearby tool can get suggestions for their search of specific businesses or general categories, such as gas stations, restaurants, or shopping. The more that the user and his/her friends check in and rate businesses, the more personalized the recommendations will become.
For your business to take advantage of this tool, there are some things that you need to do in order to be more visible to users:
Keep your page updated
After you have your business’ Facebook page set up, it is important to remember to keep it updated with your current information. That includes your address, phone number, store hours and other details about your business in the About section.
You want potential customers to have all the information that they need about your business. If you have switched locations, the last thing you want is for people to go to your old location.
Keep your category updated
When users conduct a search based on category, you want to make sure that your business will appear properly. If you own a coffee shop, you want to have it show up when someone does a search for “Coffee” and not shopping. Make it easy for people to find you.
Open your page’s Admin panel to edit your category. Click on “Edit Page” and then “Update Info.” Under Basic Information you can select your business category.
Engage with your customers
It is important to interact with your customers as much as possible on Facebook. The results of the Nearby tool are based on customer ratings and feedback. When you encourage them to Check In, Like your page, recommend and rate your company on Facebook, you are increasing the likelihood that new potential customers will try out your business.
You can encourage engagement in person with the customers while they are in your store or restaurant. Add a message to the bottom of your receipt asking them to visit your page. Put a reminder to check in on your menu. Talk to your Facebook fans and ask them to rate your business.
More and more people are using social media and mobile devices to find new businesses to try in their area. Keeping your business’ information current and engaging with your current customers more can help you increase the number of new customers you see.
Is your business getting the most from the Nearby tool? What do you do to help bring in new local customers?
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Dawn Pigoni, IVAA Member
