Toronto is one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in North America, and it’s no wonder so many businesses are looking to set up shop there.
With a population of over 5 million people, there are plenty of opportunities for businesses to find success.
But how can you best get the word out about your business and grow your customer base?
Here, we’ll look at 8 ways to promote business in Toronto, both free and paid.
From leveraging local events to creating an online presence, these tips will help you get the most out of your marketing efforts.
1. Create an SEO-Friendly Website
Creating a website optimized for search engine ranking is essential to promoting your business in Toronto.
Research shows that a whopping 60% of consumers begin their product research with a search engine
And that’s why Search engine optimization (SEO) is an important part of any website’s success.
A website that is optimized for SEO will rank higher in search engine results, making it more visible to potential customers.
So, how do you get it right?
The first and most important step is to create content that has the right keywords for your business or service.
You can use online tools such as Google Trends or Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant keyword phrases and then incorporate them into your content.
This can be done through both written text and image tags on your web pages.
You also need to include meta descriptions on each page of your site to help search engines identify what the page is about so they can properly categorize it in their index.
2. Get on Social Media
You must be tired of hearing this.
Social media is a great way to reach potential customers in Toronto.
In 2022, there were 34.47 million social media users in Canada, up from 32.53 in 2021.
By 2026, it is expected that there will be over 38 million users in the country. Additionally, 78 percent of social media users in Canada use Facebook (Source: Statista).
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn are not only free, but can be used to build relationships and create an engaged community around your brand.
When used well, it can become one of the most effective ways to promote business in Toronto.
Getting started on social media is easy and doesn’t have to cost you anything.
Start by creating accounts on popular networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and YouTube that are relevant to your business.
Once you’ve set up the accounts, ensure you fill out all profile information completely, so customers know who they’re dealing with when engaging with your content.
You should also use high-quality images on all platforms – this will help to establish your identity and stand out from the competition.
3. Post on Local Business Directories
Posting your business on local business directories like Yelp is a great way to promote your business in Toronto.
It will help potential customers find you and get an idea of the quality of service that they can expect.
Additionally, online reviews are becoming increasingly important when it comes to making purchase decisions, so being listed on Yelp or another directory can be very beneficial for businesses.
To ensure that customers find you easily, include relevant information, such as opening times, contact details, and services offered.
You should also upload high-quality images of your premises and products if possible.
You don’t need to pay for these listing services either; many local business directories offer free listings allowing small businesses to gain exposure and put their best foot forward without spending anything!
You can read this guide: 10 Free Advertising Platforms for Canadian Businesses.
4. Attend Events:
Attending events in Toronto is a great way to promote your business and connect with potential customers.
With the city’s vibrant culture, there’s always something going on that can help you get the word out about your business.
From networking, events, and conferences to local festivals and conventions, attending these events helps to create visibility for your business by allowing you to rub elbows with other like-minded entrepreneurs.
Networking at these events is also a great opportunity to meet potential customers interested in your offer.
You can use this time to talk about what makes your product or service unique, exchange contact information, and even engage in meaningful conversations that could lead to a sale down the road.
5. Offer Discounts and Deals
Offering discounts and deals is a great way to incentivize customers to purchase from your business in Toronto.
Discounts can be offered for first-time buyers, returning customers, or those who purchase multiple items.
This can make it more affordable for people to invest in what you offer.
Additionally, promotional codes are an effective way to encourage customers to buy from your business.
They can be sent via email or posted on social media accounts and website as a special offer that provides exclusive savings when used during checkout.
6. Take Advantage of Google My Business Listing
Another one of the best ways to promote your business in Toronto is by listing your business on Google My Business.
It’s a free tool offered by Google that allows you to add information about your business, such as address and hours of operation, as well as photos and other relevant details.
This will ensure potential customers can easily find your business online when searching for related services or products.
Additionally, it will also help boost your rankings within local search results, which can lead to more inquiries and sales.
Google My Business also offers helpful features such as reviews from customers and the ability to respond quickly to those reviews.
This is key because positive customer feedback helps build credibility and trust with potential new customers.
You can even create posts on Google My Business that highlight special events or offers available at any given time, giving people an incentive to visit your store or website immediately.
7. Get in touch with local influencers
Influencers have become a powerful tool for businesses to promote their brand in Toronto.
Working with influencers allows businesses to tap into large, engaged audiences and gain exposure beyond the scope of traditional advertising.
Influencer marketing provides a cost-effective way to spread the word about your business on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
When searching for influencers in Toronto, find people who have an authentic connection with your brand or product.
Consider influencers who are within your target audience and will be able to represent your brand in a positive light truly.
Once you’ve identified potential influencers, make sure that you create engaging content that resonates with them and their followers.
Doing this will help ensure that the message is spread effectively and reaches a wide audience.
8. Create a Referral Program
A referral program is a great way to promote your business in Toronto.
It’s an easy and cost-effective way to gain more customers and increase sales.
Referral programs are designed to incentivize existing customers for recommending the business to their family, friends, and colleagues.
Rewards can be anything from special discounts or free products/services for both the customer making the referral and their referred contact.
To create a successful referral program, you should first ensure that you have clear messaging about it on your website, social media accounts, email campaigns, etc., so potential customers are aware of what they can get by referring others to your business.
You should also decide on how many referrals each customer needs before they receive any reward.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, several ways to promote your business in Toronto exist.
Using social media, setting up an email list, attending events, forming relationships with other businesses, and utilizing search engine optimization (SEO) are all effective ways to promote your business.
Don’t forget to get into existing networks such as Google My Business or Yelp, which can benefit local businesses.
Paid advertising options such as radio and television commercials, online and print ads can also be helpful when used strategically.
As you consider the different promotional strategies available for your business in Toronto, do research and invest time into crafting a plan that works best for you.
As a general rule of thumb, start with free promotion methods first and then move on to paid ad campaigns if necessary.