When youâre running a local pet store, every walk-in matters. The good news? You donât need a huge marketing budget to bring more pet parents through your doorsâyou just need the right mix of creativity and consistency.
Here are 5 free strategies you can start using today to boost foot traffic and build stronger local awareness:
1. Post Weekly Updates to Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is one of the first things shoppers see when they search for pet stores near them. Treat it like a mini social media feed:
- Share new arrivals
- Feature your employee (or pet!) of the week
- Promote events or sales
- Every post shows up in search results and reinforces that youâre active and engaged. Bonus: Google loves fresh content.
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Pro tip: Use keywords like ânatural dog food in [your city]â to help boost local SEO.
2. Partner with a Local Rescue or Trainer for a Weekend Pop-Up
Pop-ups donât just bring in foot trafficâthey make your store the place where good things happen.
- Host an adoption event with a local rescue
- Invite a dog trainer to offer free tips
- Let a local groomer do free nail trims or âask me anythingâ sessions
Itâs a win-win: they get exposure, you get new customersâand you both get social media content.
3. Start a âPet of the Weekâ Wall (and Promote It Online)
People love to see their pets in the spotlight. Start featuring a Pet of the Week on a bulletin board, your website, or social channels. Ask customers to nominate their pets in-store or via social media.This does three things:
- Gets people talking about your store
- Drives return visits
- Gives you fun, shareable content
Just make sure you tag your customers when you postâso theyâll want to share it, too.
4. Email or Text Your Regulars With Something Just for Them
Whether itâs a trial size, a heads-up on a new product, or a thank-you message, a personal outreach goes a long way.
Even a simple text that says:
âHey Amanda! Just got a new batch of that goat milk Bella loves. Want me to set one aside?â – makes your store feel like a boutique, not a big-box. Personalization = loyalty.
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Pro tip: If you use a platform like NextPaw, you can do this with zero stress.
5. List Your Store on âWhere to Buyâ Locators from Your Brands
If you carry popular brands like Steveâs Real Food, Skout’s Honor, or Pet House Candles, thereâs a good chance those companies are sending traffic to their store locators.
But if your store isnât listedâor worse, if the info is wrongâyouâre missing out. Make sure you:
- Claim and update your listings
- Add photos, hours, and directions
- Ask the brand to link directly to your NextPaw store page
Local shoppers are searching. Make sure they can find (and trust) your listing when they do.
Wrapping it all up!
You donât need to spend a dime to boost store trafficâyou just need to stay active, stay local, and stay top-of-mind. A few small actions each week can go a long way toward helping your store stay busy and beloved.
Want tools that make this even easier? NextPaw was built just for that. From local listings to customer messaging to event marketingâwe help neighborhood pet stores win online so they can grow in-store. Get in touch with our sales or support team today.
