Check your small business website for outdated pandemic changes, missing info

My friend Rob just told me he was checking out a local fitness place. He was interested until he saw their website included some pandemic-related changes that probably aren’t still true, like canceled classes and limited hours. Since he doesn’t know for sure, he moved on to looking into a different place.
This is a great reminder to all of us. Now is the time to check your:

website
social media profiles
Google business profile

Make a list and check over a few at a time.
While you are checking your website, make sure to check each and every page. Sometimes outdated info is lurking on pages you don’t look at very often yourself, but may still be misleading potential customers.

Here’s the checklist of basic info every small town business ought to include on their website.
At the very top:

Full business name
Business category, if it isn’t stated in the name

Location:

City and state or territory
Bonus: Include the country for people who landed via search
Local service area
Areas you ship to
Street address that works with online directions
Map of your location, or link to an accurate online map for directions

A word on service territories. Not “tri-state area” because there are an awful lot of those so it won’t be clear to people arriving by search. Give the names of the states, territories, counties or towns that you serve. Too many to list? Make a simple map.
Get in contact:

Phone number
Email address
Mailing address
Bonus: social profiles where you are active

Come on in:

Business hours
Bonus: picture of your building or front door from the street

Buy something:

Lines of business
Specific brand names

Take time to check your site. You might be surprised at what’s missing.
And don’t bury these essentials in small type, or hard to find locations. Make them big, bold, obvious, and maybe even repeat them.
Yes, this still matters in a small town. You have visitors and new residents who need to find you.
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