Local Business - UK Business Labs

petbedsandbaskets · #1 (**permalink**) 23-01-2009, 01:29 PM

I currently sell to the UK but want to generate more local business. That way I can deliver myself and not use a courier/parcel delivery company.

I've placed an ad in the local paper, I have a bumper sticker on my car and have put little postcard ads up in the local shop windows.

Does anyone have any advice on what else I can do to generate more local business?

**Emma** · #2 (**permalink**) 23-01-2009, 01:30 PM

Leave business cards, materials and a few 'freebies' at local kennels, catteries and vets.

petbedsandbaskets · #3 (**permalink**) 23-01-2009, 02:04 PM

I did try our local vet but they said no as they sold pet food, carriers and toys and thought it was a conflict of interests?

So it has put me off going to other pet related businesses and asking them, but if I want local business I'll have to.

**OldWelshGuy** · #4 (**permalink**) 23-01-2009, 04:21 PM

leaflet drops will work well for your business. Also try optimising your site for local search, add yourself to google local, add yourself to local direc tories. sponsor local pet charites and put up leaflets. Offer local pet charities to sell your stock and take a cut of profit.

**essex_courier** · #5 (**permalink**) 23-01-2009, 07:59 PM

What puts you off using a courier? If you deliver in your own car, don't forget to insure yourself for business use, chat to Chris Lodge on here re this, because if you have an accident whilst delivering you may find your insurance invalid.
What about the Puppy training schools? and do you have a link to your site? I need a huge basket for a baby rottie

petbedsandbaskets · #6 (**permalink**) 24-01-2009, 03:19 PM

Its the red tape so to speak involved with a particular parcel delivery company.

Every invoice I receive is wrong - getting charged for items not sent and being over charged on the agreed price.

I do get credit notes but its a pain to be honest.

The delivery side is fine though.

**OldWelshGuy** · #7 (**permalink**) 24-01-2009, 05:06 PM

so change your courier. Try parcel force.

Milan Vasilko · #8 (**permalink**) 30-01-2009, 11:37 AM

Have you considered direct mail? There must be a way how you can buy a list of local pet owners you could target (e.g. from pet magazines, pet event organisers, etc.)

There is a cost attached to direct mail, but usually works well if you can target this to people who are just like your current customers.

-Milan

petbedsandbaskets · #9 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 05:57 PM

Parcelforce are too expensive. They want £12.82 for a 48 hour delivery. I'm using UK Mail at the moment and they want £5.85 for a 48 hour delivery.

Regarding direct mail, I've contacted a pet magazine and they forwarded me to an agency so will see what happens.

Thanks all

clairejarrett · #10 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 03:05 PM

In response to your original query, you can have a locally targeted AdWords campaign running around your area so it ONLY shows to people that live within say 5 or 10 miles. This works well for several of my clients with local businesses.

It's in campaign settings in Google AdWords, there is an option to select an area and the number of miles around the area you want to target. PM me if you can't find it.

petbedsandbaskets · #11 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 04:02 PM

Theres so much I've got to learn. Will definatly be doing that. Thank you.

**NikkiPilkington** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 04:42 PM

Agree that leaflet drops will work - also ask people who are customers to refer you to a friend - sometimes people don't get referrals because they simply don't ask.

As Claire says (hi Claire!), Google Adwords lets you target by area so you don't pay for wasted clicks.

Is there a local dog grooming place? You could swap advertising with them.

As Sarah says, puppy classes too - all of the people there will have new dogs, and OK they may have their equipment right now, but most dogs grow quite quickly and rapidly outgrow their baskets.

batespcm · #13 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 10:42 PM

I don't know what your buying power is like if you buy in a good amount have you considered becoming a dropshipper to allow dropshippee's to offer your product!

I know there is demand for pet stuff in that arena, I know it won't alleviate the delivery problem but it will grow your business

P.S. PM me if you need advice regarding this avenue!

**Mat** · #14 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petbedsandbaskets

I currently sell to the UK but want to generate more local business. That way I can deliver myself and not use a courier/parcel delivery company.

I've placed an ad in the local paper, I have a bumper sticker on my car and have put little postcard ads up in the local shop windows.

Does anyone have any advice on what else I can do to generate more local business?

Tell us more about your business. I take it you have a website? What's the address? What sort of marketing budget do you have put aside?

Local newspapers often run a service whereby start-up businesses can buy a page of editorial (advertorial). That would be a great starting point I imagine.

**Mark** · #15 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 11:31 PM

Pet Beds & Baskets - Your quality cat bed and dog bed uk online pet supplies store.

Juliawilliams · #16 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 07:07 AM

Get help from your friends they can work as your marketing agent, i mean if someone needs services that is provided by you they can tell them about you and your business and finally you will get new jobs, mouth publicity is very effective

winelabels · #17 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:46 AM

For cheap local deliveries try fastway couriers. Your local area will be £2.95 + vat for next day delivery.
They don't cover the whole country, but do have full coverage in Kent.

ideosync · #18 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:11 AM

Leaflets can work but it really depends on your audience. Your business does reach out to lots of people as most of us have pets and lots of pet owners like to pamper their pets.

I would try local magazines that go out to local homes. Not regional ones, but small local ones with readerships of up to 8,000. Advertising rates are affordable and with your catchment area you should get some good enquiries.

Make sure you have colour leaflets created as black and white are never a good idea. Try to link up with other local businesses that have related services or products i.e. vetinary practices, pet shops, pet accessories stores etc. Ask to have posters or leaflets left in their shops, or even try to sell your products to them to widen their range?

A good option is to get a press release out to the local press and have some interesting new media stunt or breakthrough product to talk about. If you get some editorial you may get a free or discounted advert to run alongside your story?

Try to think logically and laterally about this and look for interesting new angles to promote your business.

QVA - Emma · #19 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 03:43 PM

Noone has mentioned ebay - you can use local ads on there - they cost nothing to set up if you only put a title. It is worth a try.

Find out where and when your most local cat and dog shows are an see if you can exhibit or advertise in their programmes.

Find a way of targetting local breeders there may be a lot in your area.

Contact the Kennel club and see if they have advertising on their website or perhaps even a link from them.

Utilise your past contacts from previous sales - remind them you are still around - products do ware out eventually.

Hope that has given you pleanty to think about?!

**Ray Stewart** · #20 (**permalink**) 17-02-2009, 03:56 PM

A simple cheap idea is to ask your happy past customers for a referral to two other pet owners who like the product your customer bought and would like their own.

It needed cost much to say thankyou, perhaps a 20% voucher off next order, a free dog coat or something similar. Just remember WII-FM (What's In It For Me) and your existing customers can't wait to help if they get something of real value to them as a thankyou.

It works brilliantly for our business - everyone gets a DAFF (Do A Friend A Favour) certificate regularly thanking them for choosing us and asking for up to two referrals - and they get (mostly) hard cash - a % of their annual bill - as a thankyou - or a "prize" of their choice if they prefer.

batespcm · #21 (**permalink**) 18-02-2009, 02:11 PM

WIIFM's are a great tool, Ray is right there, if people can see something back they will make a point of pushing you to their friends etc etc

**Mat** · #22 (**permalink**) 18-02-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Stewart

A simple cheap idea is to ask your happy past customers for a referral to two other pet owners who like the product your customer bought and would like their own.

It needed cost much to say thankyou, perhaps a 20% voucher off next order, a free dog coat or something similar.

This is a brilliant piece of advice. Referrals are absolutely vital when getting a new business off the ground, and it may not always be obvious to your satisfied customers to recommend you.