How Local Businesses Can Use Online Ads to Increase Foot Traffic 👣

Have you ever searched for “best café near me” and immediately visited the top result? That’s the power of local online advertising. For brick-and-mortar businesses, digital ads aren’t just about online clicks—they drive real customers through your doors.

While digital advertising is often associated with eCommerce, online ads can be just as powerful for local businesses looking to increase foot traffic. With the right strategy, platforms like Google Ads and social media can turn online searches into in-person visits.

According to Google, 76% of people who search for something nearby on their phone visit a business within a day.

Here’s how local businesses can use online advertising to drive real-world sales.

1. Use Google Ads to Capture High-Intent Local Searches

When people search for businesses near them, they’re often ready to make a purchase. Google Ads allows you to target these high-intent searches and appear at the top of search results.

✅ Google Search Ads: Target keywords like “best coffee shop near me” or “bookstore open now” to reach customers actively looking for businesses like yours. ✅ Google Local Services Ads: Perfect for service-based businesses like plumbers, electricians, and salons. These ads display your business at the top of local search results and only charge when a customer contacts you.

✅ Google Maps Ads: Appear on Google Maps when potential customers search for nearby businesses, making it easy for them to get directions to your store.

2. Leverage Facebook & Instagram Ads for Hyper-Local Targeting

Social media ads allow businesses to reach people in their immediate area and encourage them to visit.

✅ Geo-Targeting: Facebook and Instagram allow you to set a specific radius around your business, ensuring your ads only reach people nearby.

✅ Event-Based Ads: If you’re hosting an in-store event or special promotion, social ads can help spread the word and increase attendance.

✅ Click-to-Call & Click-for-Directions: Add CTA buttons that let users call your business or get directions with a single tap.

3. Offer Time-Sensitive Promotions & Exclusive Deals

A well-timed offer can be the final nudge that gets someone to visit your store. Limited-time deals encourage urgency and drive foot traffic.

✅ Google Ads Extensions: Use special promotions in your Google Ads that show discounts, free trials, or special offers directly in search results.

✅ Facebook & Instagram Stories Ads: Create eye-catching, short-lived promotions that disappear after 24 hours, making them feel exclusive.

✅ QR Code Discounts: Use ads to promote in-store discounts that customers can redeem by scanning a QR code at checkout.

4. Retarget People Who Show Interest in Your Business

Many potential customers might see your ad but not visit your store right away. Retargeting ads help bring them back.

✅ Google Display Remarketing: Show ads to people who previously visited your website but didn’t take action.

✅ Social Media Retargeting: Retarget users who engaged with your previous posts, watched a video, or clicked on an ad but haven’t visited yet.

✅ Email & SMS Retargeting: Use customer emails and phone numbers to show targeted ads reminding them about your business.

5. Track Performance & Optimise for Better Results

Tracking the right metrics will help you understand which ads are driving actual foot traffic.

✅ Google My Business Insights: Shows how many people searched for your business and requested directions.

✅ Facebook Store Visits Metric: Helps track how many users saw your ad and then visited your location.

✅ Promo Code Tracking: Use unique discount codes in ads to track in-store redemptions.

For local businesses, online advertising isn’t just about digital presence—it’s a powerful tool for increasing real-world visits and sales. By using Google and social media ads strategically, targeting local audiences, and offering compelling incentives, businesses can turn online engagement into in-store customers.

Not sure where to begin? Start with one simple campaign: a Google Maps ad with a limited-time offer. Track the results, and build from there.