Kelly Main

Web hosting is an online content storage service that enables websites to be accessed on the internet. If you use a site builder to create your website, it will most likely be included in your plan, but if you build a site using WordPress, you will need to purchase web hosting separately. We’ll help explain what web hosting is in greater detail, why it’s needed, and share tips to help to choose the best hosting option for your small business’ needs. Why Businesses Need Web Hosting & How It Works If a business wanted to be accessible to customers in a physical location, it could rent a commercial space and then open its doors to the public. Similarly, websites need to be connected to internet-accessible servers in order to be accessed by the public. As a simple web hosting definition, think of it as a service where you can rent space on a web hosting company’s server in order to give customers access to your company’s virtual storefront. It’s like renting virtual commercial space on the World Wide Web. How web hosting works is through services that store web pages (which collectively are websites) on servers where they are then uploaded to the internet, making them accessible on the web. In more technical terms, servers not only store web pages, but they also communicate with and respond to requests. When a user types in a web address, also known as a URL, these servers locate and display the corresponding website page. As complex as it may sound, the best web hosting companies make it simple and affordable for anyone to get and connect web hosting to their website. On the other hand, all-in-one website builders, like and , include it with all of their sites, so there is no need for you to purchase a separate web hosting plan or manually connect it to your domain. How to Choose the Right Web Hosting Service When choosing a provider for small business website hosting, there are many factors to take into consideration, from overall cost and add-on services to security, reliability, speed, uptime guarantees, contract length, hosting package specifics like storage and bandwidth, and extras such as a domain name and business email. With so many different web hosting companies and plans, it can be difficult to find the best one to host your business website. Here are 10 areas to explore to find the right web hosting provider for your business website: What types of plans are offered and how much do they cost? Do plans include a free domain and how much will additional domains cost? Is a free SSL certificate included or available for purchase as an add-on? How long are the contracts, is there a discount for annual prepayment, and what happens if I need to change providers or terminate my contract? How much storage and bandwidth does it include? Does it have an uptime guarantee? Is there a customer satisfaction or money-back guarantee? How can I get in touch with support if I need it and what type of support is available? Do plans include free business email addresses or the ability to purchase business email services as an add-on? What do current users say about it? Why Choosing the Right Web Host Matters While it may sound as though all web hosting is the same, plans vary widely from provider to provider. Choosing the wrong web host can cost you time and money, give you or your site visitors a bad user experience, harm your site’s search engine optimization (SEO), and put your site and its visitors’ security at risk. Here are a few reasons why you should take the time to choose the right web host: Speed: Slow load times cause a poor user experience and high bounce rates, both of which are detrimental to your site’s SEO. Features and inclusions: Not all hosts include extras like a free domain, SSL certificate, or business email, so it will cost you more money if you choose one that doesn’t. Convenience: In addition to money, it will cost you extra time if you have to connect your own domain, get your own SSL certificate, and manually connect your host. Security: You’re likely to experience increased security risks with low-quality hosting providers. Uptime: If your hosting service isn’t reliable, your website could experience downtime, effectively closing your business’ doors online as customers won’t be able to access your site. Most Popular Types of Web Hosting When choosing a web hosting plan, you’ll generally find these three common options: shared, virtual private server (VPS), and dedicated. If you’re like most small business owners, you’ll likely have questions. Are the low-cost shared plans a great value or too good to be true? What exactly is VPS and is dedicated hosting worth it or an unnecessary splurge? To help you answer those questions, let’s take a closer look at the three primary types of web hosting small businesses will most likely opt to use: Three Primary Types of Web Hosting Compared While shared, VPS, and dedicated are the primary options for hosting small business websites, you’ll also notice other types of web hosting, such as reseller hosting and cloud hosting. , one of the companies that made our list of the best hosting options, explains what reseller hosting is, or you can get an in-depth look at how the three main options compare by reading these articles: Shared vs VPS hosting Shared vs dedicated hosting VPS vs dedicated hosting Small businesses will generally find shared and VPS hosting plans sufficient for their needs and well within their budget, given pricing as low as $3 per month with top providers such as . Get the full breakdown of the best web hosting companies for small businesses including features, pricing and plans, and customer reviews. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How do I set up web hosting? It’s surprisingly simple to set up web hosting. Decide which type of web hosting plan you need and then choose a provider. Select the plan that best matches your needs and purchase it. If you don’t already own a domain name, choose one through your web host and then connect web hosting to your website using your web host’s installation tools. Is Bluehost the best web host for bloggers? is frequently promoted by bloggers for its low-cost, feature-rich plans, and while it is one of the best web hosting providers for bloggers, it’s not solely used to host blogs. Bluehost is a top choice for many small businesses as well as it offers a number of month-to-month web hosting plans that help you easily scale your hosting as your business and its website traffic grows. What’s the difference between a domain & web hosting? If you’re just getting started building a website for your business, you’ve probably heard that you need a domain and web hosting. While they are often provided by the same company, understanding the difference between the two may be confusing when they’re talked about in conjunction. A domain is your web address (e.g., “yourbusiness.com”), whereas web hosting is the service that enables your site to be accessed via the web. Bottom Line Web hosting is an essential part of building and maintaining a website or blog. Though generally affordable, not all web hosting is created equal, and choosing a high-quality host makes a difference. For example, for as little as $2.95 per month, you can get secure, reliable hosting that comes packed with extras to save you money, such as a free domain name, business email, and more. Get started with . You Might Also Like… Choose one of the best all-in-one website builders to get web hosting included. Check out the best small business website examples for ideas on how to build your site. After getting a domain, learn how to get a free business email address.

is a business email provider offering 5GB storage, labels and folders, an out-of-office auto-responder, and flexible search options. In order to use Zoho Mail, you’ll have to sign up for a Zoho email account, verify your domain, update mail records, and choose an email username. Follow our easy step-by-step guide below and start using Zoho free business email. 1. Sign Up for Your Zoho Email Account Once you click sign up, you’ll need to type in your name and an existing email address or phone number to receive the one-time password (OTP) and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. After this, Zoho will prompt you for a domain. This is the text that follows the @ sign in an email address. To complete this step, you will have the option to buy a domain via , purchase a domain from a domain registrar, or add an existing domain. Adding an existing domain is typically the best option. If you have already created a professional business website for your company through a reputable hosting service, then you have a domain. However, if you do not already have a website provider, you can learn more about the top options in our guide on the best web hosting companies. 2. Verify Your Domain The next step is verifying your domain and for this example, we’ll be using . The first thing you’ll want to do is check the CNAME and Destination values. Once you’re set, go to and click on “Manage” located next to the “Domains.” After this, click on the domain and select “DNS Zone File,” which is located on the top, and click on “Add Record.” Next, click on CNAME (alias). Then, enter the CNAME and Destination Values from Zoho on the pop-up window. The CNAME record will be entered under “Host” and the Destination Value under “Points to.” Make sure to “Save” the changes when you’re done. Once finished, go back to and “Verify by CNAME” located at the bottom of the screen. Once verified, it’s time to update your existing mail records. 3. Change Mail Record With Domain Provider With a verified domain, what’s left to do is update mail records. Let’s say you’ve chosen as your domain hosting provider. Go to the domain host and click on the “DNS Zone File” tab. Go down to MX (mail exchanger) records and delete any name listed. Once deleted, add two new records by clicking on the “Add record” and choosing “MX (Mail Exchanger.” Change the following information listed below: Host: @ Points to: mx.zohomail.com TTL: 1 hour Once you have finished inputting the information above, click on “Finish.” It will take around 30 minutes for the changes to be implemented. Once finished, go to and create your new business email address. 4. Choose Business Email Username Since your domain has been verified, you’ll be given a “Create Account” option in Mail in order to add an email address in Zoho Mail Manager. Start by putting in the username, the first half of your business address, and click on the “Create Account” button. Should you want to create accounts for employees or teammates, click on “Add Users” and make a new email address. These default addresses can be changed later on or removed when needed. Zoho Mail Pros & Cons Here’s how to set up and a breakdown of its features. Zoho Free Email Features The free is equipped with a lot of useful features that enhance usability and protection. We’ve highlighted the main features below: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Zoho Mail private? Yes. Unlike other email providers, customer data is “heavily guarded” through end-to-end encryption, securing users’ emails both in the rest and the transit state. The encryptions are done through S/MIME or signing of MIME data, eliminating unauthorized access along the way. In very rare cases, employees will require a significant level of access to data in order to fix issues on the customer’s side. The customer, however, will still have to consent to the access. Does Zoho Mail allow multiple emails? Yes. Zoho Mail allows each user a maximum of 30 email aliases. Email aliases are additional email addresses of an existing email account. Having multiple emails allows users to organize sending and receiving emails with aliases based on their specific use. Does Zoho integrate with Google? Yes. Despite being a competitor to Gmail, still integrates with , making it easier for native Google users to access their files and enjoy the ease of use Google provides. What are the recommended Zoho Mail alternatives? Although the Zoho Mail works very well as a safe and secure business email provider, there are other more cost-efficient options that you might want to consider. Aside from , you can try , which offers a free business email along with its hosting plan. is another option that provides a free domain and email starting at just 50 cents per month. Bottom Line Using Zoho Mail is easy, from setting it up to employing it for use. Once you start using , you'll get to enjoy its greatest feats, including end-to-end encryption. It also allows businesses to organize emails like files that can be grouped into folders and subfolders. To start using this tool, follow the four easy steps summarized in this article. You Might Also Like… Learn more about domain names and why they are so important to your business. Use your email to the fullest with the best email apps that allow you to transform your email into a multi-functional business tool.

The best TV commercials effectively send a message that tells a relatable story while strengthening brand awareness and driving more sales. Many of the most memorable of the past year were produced by large businesses, featuring expensive celebrity spokespeople, but they often utilized additional strategies to help drive their own success that businesses of any size can incorporate into their own ads. Here are the 10 best television commercials of the past year and why they worked: 1. Adidas Why it works: Takes a lighter approach to an otherwise heavier topic—climate change. Kermit the Frog narrates the video, encouraging people to adapt eco-conscious practices. With the increasing climate issue, the ad has certainly reached its target audience: the huge population of young people fighting for the world whose future is theirs. This particular type of TV advertising is effective because it uses a comedic approach to tackle a tough topic. This effectively allows the TV commercial to easily connect with its audience while giving them simple ways to make a big difference. It not only helps to inspire action, but it doesn’t add any pressure to viewers and is presented in an entertaining way—the very reason they’re watching television. 2. Rocket Mortgage Why it works: Asks the audience to make certain decisions in life through humor. Rocket Mortgage captures the viewers’ attention through semantic humor in one of the best Super Bowl ads of 2021. It has reached popular TV with its showcase of thought-provoking questions that inspire audiences to think about the difference between being “pretty sure” and being “certain.” The TV ad does this by showing hypothetical situations that make being “pretty sure” a killer for those who make decisions without 100% certainty. What’s more, it really gets an audience to question how their everyday decisions can greatly impact their lives. And it closes its case with a bang, by promising certainty—something every consumer desires. 3. Cadillac Why it works: It stays on-brand by reviving an American classic. Pop culture has been the reference of many effective TV commercials out there, including Cadillac, which used the same route to parade its new model. It was one of the popular TV commercials during the Super Bowl last year, showcasing the edge that even the sharpest and clumsiest hands can drive a Cadillac. This commercial says that in the face of every human challenge—whether physical or societal—Cadillac is for everyone. It’s an inclusive message that is presented in a lighthearted manner. Though the movie industry is unrelated to the automaker, the commercial manages to stay on-brand by telling a story based on a movie that—like Cadillac—is an American classic. And for many, an American favorite. 4. Expedia Why it works: It ensures comfortable and safe travel as the pandemic slows. The past two years have been a struggle for the world, particularly the travel industry. It has been hit hard by international restrictions and closures that limit where people can go, as well as their desire to go. However, Expedia presents an escape from all of that, with a safe and comfortable guided travel experience. It uses its own version of the famous song "All By Myself" as a smooth transition as we begin to explore the world again, making it a part of the best TV commercials in the past year. The colorful and witty utilization of the song helps the company reach people and how they are feeling. After all, it illustrates its empathy and connects to the fact that while many are stuck in isolation, you’re not really alone in feeling alone. 5. Amazon Alexa Why it works: Imagine Alexa as anyone you want, or, you know, as Michael B. Jordan. The Amazon Alexa ad is one of the best TV commercials of the year due to its ability to craft a compelling story line built on a simple, yet powerful premise: Alexa is what dreams are made of. It effectively plays into human nature and the desire to get what we want. It takes the plot up a notch by having viewers imagine how it would feel to not only get what we want as we want it, but also from who we want it from. Though it's based on an imaginary daydream, it paints the product in a dreamy way that subconsciously says it's a dream to have. It effectively elicits desire and the luxury of having everything at our fingertips—from the menial questions we all ask Google throughout the day to setting the mood with lighting or washing the day away with a good audio book. 6. Anheuser-Busch Why it works: It highlights the company’s value–not its products—and tugs at the hearts of individuals as we make memories with friends and family with beer. Anheuser-Busch’s commercial reminds us that it’s never about the beer—it’s about being together. This marvelous example of a TV commercial presents moments that we have raised our glasses and bottles for. As one of the most effective commercials when it comes to warming our hearts, it awakens emotions, leaving us wanting more of not just the beer, but also the good memories. In hard times and good times, it reminds us that good company is all it takes. Its brilliance boils down to understanding the real value a company provides and playing up on that—something any business can do. 7. Cheetos Why it works: It uses a story to show you how good it is—instead of telling you. Celebrity couple Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher star in this lighthearted TV commercial for Cheetos. Mila gets caught stealing her husband’s Cheetos a number of times. It playfully showcases the fun moments that occur in everyday life. It’s one of the most effective commercials of the year because it successfully—and subconsciously—sends the message that Cheetos are good enough to lie and steal for. It’s a powerful lesson in advertising in general, and more specifically video-based ads: show instead of tell. In doing so, the message comes across as more authentic and in return, is more impactful. 8. Progressive Insurance Why it works: The TV ad does not try hard. At all. Popular TV commercials and those that are part of the best TV commercials of all time usually have flair and action within them. But this commercial by Progressive Insurance has a certain charm in it that comes without anything actually happening. It simply provides information about the insurance, and just like what the ad says, nothing really happens. It is an effort to provide calmness in stark contrast to the number of other TV ads vying for your attention with loud messages and eye-catching scenes on-screen. It’s creative and unconventional, which adds to its oddly charming flair. 9. Bud Light Seltzer Why it works: The commercial is witty and yet again takes us back to 2020 with creativity. The year 2020 was indeed the “lemon of the year.” Bud Light reminds us of that by likening the pandemic to lemons, which made a bitter year for the world. It’s simple yet flashy in its branding, with the rain of the lemons being compared to the apocalypse. Moreover, it wittily utilizes the usual motto of “when life gives you lemons, you make a lemonade.” The ad itself is funny, and the circumstances surrounding it are satirical in its entirety. It sends the message that Bud Light gets you. And by reminding you of its relevant and down-to-earth brand, perhaps in return, you will get yourself some Bud Light. 10. Allstate Why it works: The advertisement’s usage of Opportunities by Pet Shop Boy envelops its satirical sense. The duet with the vehicle is an ultimate metaphor for the breakdown of the car’s engine, which the man ignores as he has received huge insurance savings by switching to Allstate. Singing to the tune of “Opportunities,” this popular TV commercial asks the audience to make money by saving through insurance. It is simple yet witty, making it one of the best Super Bowl ads. And its obscure nature makes it compelling—which any business can use to grab and hold an audience's attention. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Do television ads still work? The short answer is yes, television ads still work. In fact, despite on-demand streaming, television ads remain an effective way of reaching millions of people. However, given the nature of a TV ad and its limited ability to target audiences, it's best for businesses with a large target audience instead of a niche audience–as opposed to businesses with a niche product or narrow audience and those marketing a new business. How much does television advertising cost? Television advertising isn’t the most affordable ad channel, with the average cost for a 30-second commercial hovering around $115,000. However, prices vary greatly from as little as $14 cost-per-mille (CPM) on a local network to over $5 million for air time during the Super Bowl. Additionally, the cost for the time slot is not the only expense involved—also keep in mind production costs, which are minimally around $5,000. Get the complete breakdown of television advertising costs. Which social media platform is best for advertising? The most popular social networks for advertising are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, though there are a number of other leading choices, such as LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, and TikTok. Which is best for your business will depend on unique factors, such as your advertising goals, messaging, budget, and target audience. Learn more about social media marketing to find out which platform best suits your business and its advertising goals. Bottom Line From the list above, it is enough to conclude that the best TV commercials are composed of ads that know best how to utilize satire, humor, and a good story to capture the audience's attention. Popular TV ads are not created solely for marketing but also for entertainment, which subconsciously plants a selling point to the viewers. You Might Also Like… Have an advertising message that is best delivered via audio? Try radio advertising. Consider billboard advertising for a more affordable way to reach a large audience. Check out the best local advertising ideas for small businesses.

In general, there are three basic ways to create a professional email signature: doing it manually using time-consuming steps through your email provider, employing a costly graphic designer to make a customized signature for you, or using an email signature generator. This last method is the best as you can create a powerful signature optimized for marketing and lead generation in as little as three easy steps. 1. Choose an Email Signature Generator Creating one on your own by utilizing an email signature generator is definitely among the cheapest and most efficient options. All you have to do is to navigate to the signature generator of your choice. For this tutorial, we’ll be using WiseStamp. The reason we are highlighting this option is it offers two templates you can use to generate an email signature for free. However, they also provide a low-cost paid service that helps you unlock even more templates and apps. Upgrading to the premium service also allows you to create your own customized design for those who want an even more unique signature. Alternative Signature Generator Providers While we will be featuring WiseStamp through the remainder of this article, there are other email signature generators choices that you can choose from that offer additional benefits for a fee: Gimmio Gimmio is another website that runs a free service for people who want to create a fast, impressive email signature. Free templates are also available and premium services are offered with more templates, fonts, and customization opportunities. There are more free templates to choose from compared to WiseStamp. HubSpot With six free templates available, you can easily create your own email signature with this generator. These templates provide professional touches, and you can stylize your signature and colors to match your branding. Moreover, the website’s generator is simple yet easy. It is important to note that HubSpot is an all-around content management system (CMS), and so more expensive than WiseStamp and Gimmio. Should you want a more personalized email signature template, hiring a professional designer from or is a great way to work within your budget. Having a professional email signature designed for multiple people, however, can be quite costly depending on the terms discussed with the designer. 2. Input Your Contact Information & Design Elements Once you have decided on which generator to use, the next step is to input all necessary professional contact details. This information consists of the following: First and last name Job title Company name Telephone number Email address Company website Including more than your first and last name is essential, especially for cold emails, as it tells your recipients more about your role and introduces the company. But online generators allow you to make your signature an even more powerful marketing tool by allowing you to add trackable links or additional signature design elements such as: Business logo or user profile picture Call-to-action button Social media links Banner images designed to reinforce your brand To complete this step using WiseStamp, you can get to the signature editor from the welcome page. There, you will be asked to input your signature details. You can also upload a photo of yourself or the logo of the company. After entering the necessary information, simply click the "Social" button on the left. Here, you can input your social media links. You can also make your links trackable so that you can acquire some user insights. This will tell you who clicks the links provided and when they click them, along with their interactions. To do this, you can make use of a free link tracker like Bitly or Attach. You can then go to "Template" and select one that you prefer. Pick one that will best sell the brand of your business, as an email signature is not only used to display vital information, it is also used to market your brand. You can also customize your own design by editing the font and color, images, details, social icons, and the decorative line. Besides that, you can enhance your signature or add a call to action (CTA) by clicking on the "Apps" button, where you’re provided with even more options. 3. Connect the Generated Signature to Your Email After completing the steps above, simply click the "OK, I’m done" button. This will then start the process of connecting the signature to your business email. Here, you will be asked to choose the email provider you will be using with your new email signature based on the addresses you entered during the initial WiseStamp account setup process. When you are satisfied, click on the continue button. After that, the signature will automatically be linked to the email account that logged in. To check, simply click the "Refresh your Gmail" button, or similar option. Go to your email and compose a new email to confirm that the signature has been linked. Your new signature should be within the dialogue box. When maximizing your email, there are a few professional business tools that allow you to launch a better email campaign, improve your brand image, and help make your work more efficient. Ways Email Signatures Can Be Used for Marketing The design of your email signature can leave an impression on viewers. The blank space between your contact information and the bottom of an email is a great place to add a full-width image that promotes the kind of work you do and the services you offer. This is known as adding a banner. For example, if you are in real estate, you can make use of the blank space by adding a banner that shows the locations that you promote or sell. This will give people a glimpse of your business to spark the interest of future clients and customers. Other ways professionals can use their email signature for marketing include: Offers Social Proof Images are catchy to the eye and can easily attract the interest of potential customers. Featuring certificates and awards as part of your signature helps generate trust in your business as well as strengthen your marketing claims. You can also make use of appealing images or an accolade for your banner. This style can make your business stand out from the rest. Promotes a More Personal Connection Consider whether your face or your logo can be best utilized in your email signature. In various fields like real estate, where a person is the highlight of the work, an individual is typically the face of the business. Hence, their portraits are commonly displayed on their email signatures. Reinforces Brand Awareness As previously noted, other industries highlight the brand more than the person. In this case, the logo of the business is often prioritized on the email signature alongside the business details of the person. Gives Recipients a Reason to Learn More What’s incredible about an email signature is its capacity to include the essential details, including links of the most popular pages on your website. Including this information will help your audience navigate to the most interesting pages, promoting your business further. Makes Emails More Eye-catching You can play with simple colors to attract attention to your email signature too. Utilize the white background by means of adding a different color as contrast to catch the eye of potential customers. However, this technique works best when you have established a uniform color identity for your business that is then used by all staff members in their signature, as this helps people recognize your brand. For more tips on how to transform your signature into an eye-catching tool for marketing your business, check out our article on the best professional email signature examples. Do’s & Don'ts When Creating an Email Signature When making a professional email signature, not everything goes. There are a few absolutes that need to be followed in order to come up with a presentable, professional, respectable, and eye-catching email signature. Here are a few do’s and don’ts we recommend you follow: Do create a strong signature A well-constructed email signature will tell people that your brand is earnest and legitimate. Hence, a strong signature must also reflect the business, its representation, and what it stands for without being too distracting. Doing so will help your brand build recognition among the viewers of the emails that you send. Do make a simple signature Remember, email signatures don’t need to be flamboyant and complicated. It should be easy to look at and the details should be readable. Avoid adding design elements that are too excessive for a professional signature. Simple and minimalist designs are generally more suitable for certain industries (like design, art, or tech) to provide your business details and market your brand at the same time. Do make signature emails uniform As an organization, having a uniform design for the employees' email signatures is essential to ensure consistency. It allows contacts to know that they are from the same company, carrying the same brand. On the other hand, having different email signatures might leave contacts with inconsistent impressions of the company. Don’t use quirky fonts Because the email signature reflects your business, it is essential to use fonts that reflect professionalism. Quirky fonts can make you look amateur and contacts may not take you seriously. Instead, use clean fonts that look academic and executive to effectively reflect the seriousness of the brand. Don’t include any irrelevant information Your email signature must be concise. It must only contain the necessary details that will tell your contacts about your business and how you can be reached. Don’t add out-of-place elements and quotes that do not matter to your brand. Frequently Asked Questions How do I create an email signature in Outlook? To create an email signature in Outlook, sign in, go to "Settings," and view all the Outlook settings. After that, simply go to mail and compose and reply. You’ll find an email signature there where you can create your own signature. How do I create a Gmail signature? Go to Gmail and click "Settings." You will see a “Signature” section there where you can add your signature text in the box. You may also edit the format of the signature by adding a relevant image or changing the font. Why does my signature disappear in Gmail? Make sure that you have not checked the "No Signature" box. Simply go to Settings to uncheck and disable the button. Bottom Line Having a good professional email signature—either by using email signature generators like or having one designed by services like Fiverr—helps in marketing your brand through your professional business email. This shows the credibility of your business, establishes trust, and represents professionalism. Keep in mind that it must reflect your brand with an ode to simplicity and effectiveness. You Might Also Like… Learn how to maximize what you can do with your business email with the best email apps to help you leverage your business. Know which keywords to target through the use of the best keyword research tools and grow your business organically. Every business should have a website. Learn how to make your first WordPress website in 10 easy steps.

It’s true―the vast majority of free business cards are a marketing ploy to get your contact information or upsell you on higher-quality products. But there are some legit ways to get free business cards without deceptive or misleading tactics. You can get 100 free business cards from InoPrint, 200 free cards from 4OVER4 in exchange for social shares and reviews, a free sample kit from VistaPrint, and free business card designs from Canva. Here are the four best ways to get business cards for free: : Best free business card provider overall and top option for those who want to get free business card samples before buying : Best for businesses that want 100 truly free business cards with no strings attached : Best free software for creating print-ready, top-notch business card designs : Most affordable way to get 200 free business cards in exchange for social shares and reviews Best Free Business Card Providers at a Glance Keep in mind that after researching ways to get free business cards, most business opt for a low-cost, high-quality alternative that will be more cost-effective in the long run. For example, while you can get 100 free business cards from InoPrint, you’ll pay a hefty $15 shipping fee for cards with one-sided printing and no templates to work with. Meanwhile, for $17, you can get 100 full-color, two-sided business cards from with free shipping. Let’s take a deeper look into what each of the free business card providers have to offer: VistaPrint: Best Overall Free Business Card Provider tops our list of the best places to print business cards quickly and affordably. They will send you a free business card sample kit to help you decide which card is right for you. Unlike or , it does not offer 100 to 200 business cards for free, though there’s no catch and it does offer far better pricing for paid cards. VistaPrint is also the best choice in the long run for businesses looking for a provider they can continue to use after the free offer has been redeemed. Additionally, you can get free shipping on all VistaPrint business cards, using the promo code , or save on specific products using listed on their website. VistaPrint Business Card Examples InoPrints: Best for 100 Free Business Cards is one of the best ways to get free business cards with no catch or strings attached, and unlike 4OVER4, it doesn’t print its logo on the back. It offers up to 100 business cards with one-sided printing for free. The free business cards are fully customizable and you can even upload your own design, such as one you design online for free using . Keep in mind that there is a shipping fee of $15 and if you decide to purchase cards later, it will cost nearly three times more than leading providers like . InoPrint Business Card Example Canva: Best Provider for Free Business Card Designs is a free, ultra-easy-to-use online design and editing platform where just about anyone can create beautiful graphics with no graphic design experience. All thanks to its huge catalog of customizable templates—business cards included. Canva is ideal for businesses that have the ability to print their own cards or plan to send them to a local or online printing service, and just need a business card design at no cost. Or, even if you don’t have a suitable printer, you can use a Canva design to get free business cards with or . Canva Business Card Examples 4OVER4.com: Best Way to Get 200 Free Business Cards will send you 200 free business cards, but there is a catch. In order to take advantage of the offer, you have to create an account, log in daily, share on social media, and give them positive reviews. For businesses with zero budget and a few minutes to spare, this can be a viable way to get free business cards. Granted, a better long-term solution might be to design your own cards with and print them using your own printer or with the most affordable business card printer, . 4OVER4 Business Card Examples Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is a normal business card size? The standard U.S. business card size is 2.0” x 3.5″ (8.9 cm x 5.1 cm). While you can play with the sizes, having a card too small makes it hard to read, and larger cards won’t fit in a standard-size wallet or business card holder. We recommend sticking to the standard size unless you’re looking to make your cards stand out with unique characteristics. What is the ‘bleed’ in a business card? Bleed is the extra 1/8-inch space between the card’s design and its edges. This allocation is important to ensure the card is presentable, and no sides are trimmed awkwardly. The best business card printing services, such as or , offer a professional review of your business card or proofs prior to printing a large volume to ensure they come out looking great and as you had anticipated. Are business cards a useful marketing tool in 2022? As antiquated as business cards may sound, they are one of the best marketing materials and are useful tools for sales and relationship marketing across a number of industries. For example, they’re popular for local service providers, such as contractors, electricians, landscapers, realtors, and lawyers. They’re also commonly used as appointment cards for hair salons or dental offices, as well as for loyalty cards for fitness centers and coffee shops alike. Bottom Line: How to Get Free Business Cards Not surprisingly, most free business card offers come with a catch. While you can get free business cards from providers like and , the best long-term value is to opt for ultra-affordable business cards from VistaPrint. Instead of ads on the back or crazy-high shipping fees, you’ll get high-quality professional business cards you can be proud of. Get started with today. You Might Also Like… For design inspiration, check out the best business card ideas. Discover more ways to affordably and effectively grow your business with these local advertising ideas.

Despite the prevalence of digital business communication today, business cards are still relevant. Whether you’re networking at an event or want to pass along your contact information to a new client, business cards are the fastest way to connect. Whether you need to create business cards for the first time or refresh the design of your existing collateral, here are some of the best business card designs, complete with customizable templates, for inspiration: 1. Runway Remix Business Card for Photographers Why it works: Business card designs that put your work front and center (in this case, on the back) remind a client what you do. It makes sense for photographers to showcase their art on business cards, but most business card printers don’t let you print a variety of designs in the same run. At , however, you can get several back-of-card designs with the same print run, so you can show off more than one photo. USE TEMPLATE 2. Automotive Business Card Design Why it works: Most companies in the automotive industry use business cards, whether they sell vehicles, change tires, or offer repair services. A design that hints at the industry looks professional and is versatile enough for any automotive business. Modify and download this automotive business card design template from and then upload your creation to Vistaprint. With , you can add custom back-of-card templates, such as appointment reminders, punch cards, or percentage off after a specific number of visits. Use Template 3. Makeup Artist Mini Business Card Why it works: Not all business cards have to be the same size. In fact, if you use a unique size, like this mini business card from , you may have a chance of standing out among other cards a client picks up. This makeup artist design makes it clear what industry it is, but it is by no means the only option you have. Use Template 4. Educator Business Card Design Why it works: This is a no-frills business card design, but it offers a clever nod to teaching and education with a lined paper look on the backside of the card. It’s versatile enough to work for administrators, teachers, or even writers. The template from is easy to customize too. Use Template 5. Travel Services Business Card Why it works: A striking and memorable card that evokes thoughts of travel, like this passport-stamped imagery, is a great way to inspire people to hold onto your business card. Travel agents, hoteliers, and others who work in the travel industry could easily make this card design work. Modify this business card template with your logo, a different combination of colors, and another font to keep your card on brand. Use Template 6. The Cut Portrait for Hair Stylists Why it works: The professional beauty industry is another industry that benefits greatly from photo-quality business card designs. Stylists can use images of their work to remind customers of their hair color, trim, or style. Include your website and phone number on your business card so customers can easily book their next appointment. If you don’t have a website, learn how to quickly create a small business website to impress. 7. Construction Business Card Why it works: The construction industry is big on networking, so it’s important to keep a pocketful of business cards on you when you’re working. You’ll hand them out to contractors, subcontractors, real estate agents, and homeowners all the time. When you use a clean design that references your industry, contacts will be able to quickly recognize why they’re holding on to your card. This business card template offers a blank side that is perfect if you want to add an estimate or your contact wants to write down some kind of note. Use Template 8. Cleaning Services Folded Business Card Why it works: Like mini business cards, folded business cards are unique and memorable. They’re ideal for service-based industries, like cleaning services, as you can use the inside to print information about services or packages along with costs. Add a quick response (QR) code to make it easy for leads to visit your website or a landing page that lists more details and enables them to request a quote or schedule a service. Use Template 9. Logo-forward Business Card Design Why it works: A simple, basic business card design with your logo and a bit of color is a great choice for businesses wanting to create an instantly recognizable brand. This design from a Fiverr freelance graphic designer fits this need well. If you’d rather not design your own or use a template, hire a professional from for as little as $5 to create the perfect business card for you. Be sure to include your business email address on your cards—it makes you look more professional, and it makes it easy for your contacts to get a hold of you. Get this design 10. Showstopper Card for Bakers or Caterers Why it works: Using this business card template from , you can keep the elements you like and replace the photo with images of your own confections. Bakers and caterers can take advantage of the option to print a batch of business cards with multiple designs on the back of the cards to show off savory and sweet dishes, so you can pass out different ones at different events. USE TEMPLATE 11. Appointment Reminder Business Cards Why it works: The most effective element of this business card design is the appointment reminder on one side of the card. It’s especially helpful as a business card for dentists, hairstylists, physicians, and any other appointment-based business. This appointment reminder business card template from can work well for any service-based business, and you can add a graphic element if you want or change the color scheme. Use Template 12. Dog Grooming or Sitting Service Business Card Design Why it works: Whenever you use a graphic that reflects precisely what you do, it’s easy for a client to know who you are and why they’re keeping your business card. In this example, it’s clear that the business card holder works with dogs, yet the design appears almost floral and feminine, conveying a sense of the business owner’s brand and style. Use Template 13. Raised Print Business Card Why it works: Although it might not be immediately apparent, the text and logo on the finished product of this business card template are raised. Adding this small difference to appeal to the sense of touch can make a lasting impression on a client and makes your business card design stand out among others that fall flat. Use Template 14. Simplicity Card for Minimalist Design Why it works: Minimalist business card designs like this one from are often preferred by professionals like architects and lawyers, using white space to make the information stand out. It also gives more space for information and won’t look cluttered. USE TEMPLATE 15. Private Investigator Business Card Why it works: Business card designs that include graphics and bold colors can be effective for private investigators (or any professionals) who want to stand out. This particular template from could work well for forensic experts, law enforcers, and security detail that network within their industries. 16. Electrician Business Card Design Why it works: A great trick to make sure clients can find your business card quickly and easily is to make its design bold and obvious. In this business card template, it’s pretty clear that the professional is an electrician. Nothing else is needed on the front of the card, and your contact information on the back will be more than enough when they need you. Other common images that work well are lightning bolts and a light switch. Use Template 17. Bold, Colorful Business Card Why it works: Bold, contrasting color, and geometric shapes can take the place of logos and busy graphics. In this template from , one side of the card doubles down on the color but uses a simple abstract design and white space to make it bold. When you use color as the main element of your marketing materials, you’re banking on other business cards your clients or contacts get being more traditional. Yours will then stand out in a sea of neutral-colored business cards. Use Template 18. Real Estate Business Card Design Why it works: One of the most important elements of a business card is, of course, your contact details. This template from makes it clear you’re in the real estate industry and puts your contact information in the spotlight. Add a logo to the front or back, or use your professional headshot. For more inspiration, check out these 28 real estate business card ideas we love. Use Template 19. Photorealistic Business Card Why it works: Adding a photograph of your work to a business card can be an effective way to capture new customers, as in this template for a landscaping business. When modifying this Staples business card template, replace the photo with anything that represents your work or business type well. Use Template 20. Chelsea Groves Business Card for Artists Why it works: Similar to photographers and hair stylists, visual artists would do well to use the high-quality, modern business card templates available from . You can choose different weights of paper when you order, which affects how the card feels in your hand and how your art shows up on the paper. There are also options for rounded or square corners and matte or gloss finishes. USE TEMPLATE 21. Restaurant Business Card Design With QR Code Why it works: Combining helpful elements onto one card makes it as useful to a customer as possible, which is why this business card design makes our list. The addition of a QR code gives customers a quick way to view your menu or daily specials online. The design from is meant for restaurants, but with a few modifications, it could work for nearly any type of business. Use Template 22. Business Card Design for Entrepreneurs Why it works: A rustic, hand-made business card design is a great look for craft and jewelry entrepreneurs, wedding planners, local gift and home goods shops, and more. The smaller size, rounded corners, and textured stock of this Zazzle template speak to a personal aesthetic. Use Template 23. Foil Finish Business Card Why it works: For a great first impression with your business card, add some bling—as in the gold or silver foil finish you can get with this business card design. The finished look will be noticed by anyone you give it to. It’s bright and bold, and the material with a strong geometric design replaces other types of graphics. It’s a good choice for any professional. Use Template 24. Die-cut Style Business Card Why it works: One of the most unique styles of business cards is a die-cut card. You can choose almost any kind of cut shape to make your card look and feel different from other business cards. In the example here, the bite cutout shape mimics the name of the business. This die-cut method is similar to using raised fonts to appeal to the sense of touch, and visually it offers a bit of whimsy. Use Template 25. Classic Business Card Design Why it works: Not everyone wants bling―you can stick to the basics and still get a bold, modern design. The great thing about this business card template is that you can add or remove whatever you’d like to make it uniquely yours. It’s more of a blank slate for any type of business, but the blue jeans pocket look of the graphic could also make this great for a handy services business or painter. Use Template 26. Textured Business Card Designs Why it works: Effective business card design isn’t just about graphics or design—in this template example from , it’s all about texture. You can intrigue a contact by including textural elements, like embossed dots, to make your business card stand out. Bold color helps visually, but this is more about a contact finding your card based on the sense of touch. Use Template 27. Stay on Brand Why it works: In this example of a well-designed business card from 99designs, the graphic element mimics the movement of a musical conductor’s motions on the front and back of the card. If you’ve got an idea for a custom graphic but don’t know how to create it, hire a professional graphic designer from to turn your vision into a marketing-ready logo. Use Template 28. Traditional Layout Why it works: A traditional layout can be simple and still stand out with a professionally designed logo and bright colors. If you don’t already have an eye-catching logo, consider hiring a designer from to create your logo and a business card at the same time. Use Template 29. Use Eye-catching & Non-traditional Colors Why it works: Finding a way to make your business card pop in a handful of other business cards can be challenging. Leave it to a pro to use new ways to make your card unique. In this example, a designer uses non-traditional colors to create the appearance of iridescence with pastel rainbow colors and shading. Use Template Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How do I design a professional business card? You have a few options when it comes to designing a professional business card. It might be best for you to work with a graphic designer to help you achieve your vision for your business card styles. Alternatively, you could design the cards yourself via business card templates from some of the best places to print business cards. What should you not put on a business card? Although there are no written rules on what should or shouldn’t be on a business card, there are some general guidelines you want to follow to make your marketing materials as effective as possible. For example, you don’t want to put too much information on a card, or it may be difficult for a client to find the information they need (e.g., your email address or phone number). How can I make my business card stand out? Use the ideas in this article to create unique and effective business card designs. For example, using QR codes can be helpful, and including your pricing means a client may hold on to your card for reference. Using different textures of stock, shape, or finishes can make your business card stand out. You can also make your brand stand out by incorporating the design of your business cards into other marketing collateral, like postcards, brochures, presentations, and flyers. To send clients a full presentation complete with brochure and business cards, save time and money by using the best direct mail services. Bottom Line Business card templates make it easy for you to design and order business cards. The best business card companies provide easy-to-use editors that let you swap graphics and images, so you can modify templates to make one that is uniquely yours to represent your business. To get started with the best business card designs, start with a free template from a trusted company that prints business cards. is affordable and easy to use, and you can choose from a variety of paper weights, finishes, and shapes to make your cards stand out. You Might Also Like… Local businesses wanting to diversify their marketing efforts should consider these local advertising ideas. You could think of Google My Business as an online business card, but it’s on Google and easy for anyone to find with a local search. Every great marketing plan should include email marketing to stay in touch with current customers and subscribers.

Marketing in the automotive industry is surprisingly easy and affordable, and the 12 automotive marketing ideas below are proof. First make sure your website is search-friendly, has valuable content, and you have a strategy for getting positive customer reviews. Then use a mix of automotive digital marketing and traditional marketing strategies to drive brand awareness and traffic to your business’ location and website to increase sales. Grow your business using these 12 proven automotive marketing strategies: 1. Optimize Your Brand’s Online Presence Starting with a great website is one of the best automotive marketing strategies. Even if you already have a website, it might be a good idea to start with a blank slate. Consider a complete redesign and then build again using one of the best website builders. Using an all-in-one site builder means you won’t have to find web hosting or a site designer to create what you want. A good website should be easy to navigate, look professional, and help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). If you do want help building your site, search for an affordable freelance website designer on who has experience using your preferred site builder. Optimize Your Website for Search Search engine optimization (SEO) is needed to help your website rank on search engines, and is therefore essential for your automotive digital marketing strategy. You can do this with properly written titles for your pages and articles, using keywords in your site’s page and blog article content that your audience commonly searches for, and getting customers to leave positive reviews for you online. is one of the best all-in-one web hosting and site builder platforms for creating a professional, search-friendly website. With Squarespace, you’ll get a website that’s easy for Google and other search engines to “crawl,” which can place you higher in automotive-related search results. Plus, Squarespace offers more than 100 sleek and modern templates, so you don’t need design or tech experience to get started. Improve Your Rank on Google With the Right Keywords Having a great-looking website isn’t enough for people to find your auto industry business online. It’s important that you take the right steps to rank higher on Google. It can take a while for the search engine to recognize you as an expert or authority in the automotive industry, especially when it comes to organically ranked content, which includes articles or pages on your site. Use a keyword search tool like to identify keywords your target audience is likely to be searching for. Choose keywords that have high volume but low difficulty. In Ahrefs, you can see how difficult it will be to rank for a given keyword based on “KD,” which stands for “keyword difficulty.” Difficulty is gauged from 1 to 100, with higher numbers indicating higher difficulty. Often, but not always, the higher the volume, the harder it will be to rank for a keyword because there will be a lot of other websites competing for rankings. Add local keywords, such as the name of your city, in addition to the keywords your target audience would search for. For instance, if you own an automotive repair shop in Phoenix, you might find luck with keyword phrases such as “repair shop Phoenix” or “car repair Phoenix.” Once you have a list of keywords you want your website to rank for, publish web pages and blog articles that answer the questions searchers are asking, and incorporate them with your keywords. For example, if your target audience searches for “best car repair shops in Phoenix,” you could write a blog article explaining why your business is one of the best car repair shops in the city. Show Up in Local Google Search Results There’s more than one way to rank on Google, and ranking in local search results is a must for local brick-and-mortar businesses. When someone searches Google for a specific type of business, like a car dealership or an auto repair or parts shop, near the top of search results Google will often include a map with local businesses. The top three organic results are called the “three-pack” or map pack. Being among the top three organic results is ideal as far as your automotive digital marketing strategy goes because these show up closer to the top of the page. The listing in the top organic spot in Google search results receives 31.7% of all clicks and is 10 times more likely to receive a click than the last listing on the first page of results. Less than 1% of clicks go to any listing on the second page of results, according to data from . To get to the top of Google’s local search results pages, aka SERPs, create and fill out your Google My Business profile listing. It’s free to do this and doesn’t take much time. To optimize your position in local search results, include keyword search terms such as those you use to optimize your website, like “car detailing Phoenix.” Just like regular organic search results, it may take time for your listing to rise in the ranks. However, there are some things you can do to speed up the process, such as getting more positive reviews and advertising on Google, which we talk about below. Get More Reviews From Happy Customers One of the best ways to get new business is by getting referrals from happy, loyal customers. In fact, review interaction is up 50% from pre-pandemic levels, and most consumers won’t do business with companies with lower than a 4-star review average. You can wait for word-of-mouth, or you can tip the odds in your favor by asking satisfied customers for a review on Google. The more positive reviews your Google My Business listing has, the more relevant your automotive business will appear to Google as the best option. When members of your target audience are searching for services or products like yours online, your listing is then more likely to be placed at the top of search results. To get more reviews on Google, the obvious first step is to simply ask customers to review your business. There’s more you can do, though. Make it easy by sending an email after servicing a vehicle or selling products asking for a review and including a link to your Google My Business listing. You can also add a Google review link to receipts to encourage customers to go online and leave feedback for your business after a transaction. If you sell online, you can add a link with a request for a review on the landing page customers visit after completing a purchase. You can also outsource your review marketing efforts to a leading reputation management service like . Podium will leverage text marketing, messaging platforms, and a chat widget on your website to encourage customers to leave positive reviews for your business on Google and Facebook. Advertise on Local Google Results Pages Even if you’ve done everything in your power to get your website to rank in organic search and your Google My Business profile to show up in local results, you may want a boost to the top of search results through local service paid advertising. Target ads to appear in local search results with keywords, just as you did for your website and Google My Business listing. Service-based businesses benefit by using Google’s local service ads because ads are placed above the organic search results. You can also get a “Google guaranteed” tag that increases trust with customers. To get the green badge as part of your Google ad listing, you’ll have to agree to a background check and your business must meet certain requirements based on industry. If you need a license to operate your business, you’ll also have to provide proof when submitting your application. Advertising on Google can get expensive, especially if your ads aren’t set up correctly or targeted to the right audience. The last thing you want to do is waste money on clicks that don’t bring in business. The experts at are a great option if you need to outsource Google Ad management, and they can also set up and manage your company’s Google My Business listing and Facebook page as well. Reach a Different Audience on Bing Google is often the search engine most people think of for searching the internet for anything, but don’t dismiss . Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, attracts a different type of audience in terms of demographics. Users tend to skew older and have a higher household income. To make it more likely for your automotive business to show up in Bing search results, fill out your free Bing for Business profile. Use some of the same keywords in your Bing business listing that you used to make your website and Google My Business listing search-friendly. To appear before organic results on Bing, invest in Microsoft advertising. Bing ads are generally more affordable—about one-third the cost of other search engines. Plus, Bing’s search engine receives about 1 billion visitors every month. Advertising on Google is one of the cornerstones of a solid search engine marketing (SEM) strategy. Learn the difference between SEO and SEM and how to leverage the four key elements of search engine marketing to drive traffic to your website, generate leads, and grow your business. 2. List Your Automotive Business in Online Business Directories Listing your business on Google and Bing is a great automotive marketing strategy, and you can go a step further by finding other online business directories that make sense for your industry. Listings can help improve your SEO and help people searching for a type of car business discover your listing, along with your hours of operation, address, and website. You’ll find plenty of general business directories, such as and Yellow Pages, but you can find more specific directories too. Search online for auto industry-related directories that allow you to create a free listing. Adding listings to a lot of different directories and maintaining them over time can be time-consuming, though. For example, if you change your hours of operation, business phone number, or website address, you’ll have to change it on all directories where you added a listing to ensure your data is accurate across the internet. Fortunately, you can use an online reputation management company like to manage and update your listings. 3. Create a Facebook Page & Participate in Groups Create a Facebook business page for your auto shop to make sure anyone can find your services, regardless of where they look. Facebook business pages can even rank on search engines. Incorporate some of the same keywords you used to optimize your automotive website into your Facebook profile’s “About” and “Description” sections, and in the content you share on the platform. Join or create Facebook groups all about specific cars, common auto repairs or issues, or even automotive parts—and share posts that show your expertise. Followers will see your business name every time you post, which can help your brand awareness. Plus, you can post about new products or services to help spark interest (and new visitors to your website or business). 4. Advertise on Facebook Facebook advertising is another good way to get your automotive marketing content in front of your local target audience. Rather than relying on keywords people use to search for something online, Facebook ads show up in the news feeds of users. So, as people scroll their social media, your ad (if relevant based on your targeting criteria) may appear for them in between their friends’ posts. Target your ideal audience for your ad campaign by location, interests, age, gender, and other demographics. Not only can you target specific audiences with Facebook ads, you can target “look alike” audiences that fit your criteria to a certain degree. So, if your ideal buyer types are males ranging in age from 25 to 49 who live in Phoenix, a look-alike audience might include men 18 to 24, or women in the same age range (25 to 49), all in Phoenix. Facebook ads can also target ideal and look-alike audiences based on recent searches conducted by Facebook users on Facebook or within its advertising network. For instance, if someone has a strong interest in sports cars and searched for similar content online, your ad or a sponsored post will show up in their feed. Because of its extensive capabilities, advertising your automotive business on Facebook may be more complex than you want to take on yourself. is a digital marketing company that can help you manage most social advertising campaigns. Plus, there are no long-term contracts, so you are free to try the service for a month to see if it works as part of your automotive marketing plan. 5. Attract Your Target Audience on Other Social Networks Facebook isn’t the only social network where you should implement automotive marketing ideas. Instagram and Pinterest are both visual social platforms, and so are an excellent place to post pictures of vehicles, parts, or before and after photos of what a car detailing service can do. TikTok works well for those who want to create fun, short videos for their followers, and these videos can also be cross-posted to Facebook and Instagram. On any social network, use hashtags so people interested in your industry can find your posts and your pages. For example, if you own a car dealership, you might use #carsofinstagram, #caroftheday, #autoparts, or #autorepair. Likewise, you can incorporate locale into your hashtags to hypertarget your audience, such as #CarRepairPhoenix. There are so many opportunities to build brand awareness and sales on social media as part of your overall automotive marketing plan. Check out our complete guide to social media advertising for more ideas on how to use online ads to reach people who don’t yet know about your business. 6. Add Your Business to Yelp & Optimize Your Listing Yelp for Business is often the go-to site for people wanting to check out the reputation of a local business before buying. It’s free to set up a listing for your business, and once you do, people searching Yelp can find your listing based on their searches. Use the same keywords that are helping your website rank higher in search results to optimize your Yelp business profile. Once you’re registered and listed on Yelp, keep an eye on any reviews left on your business listing and respond to each one, whether positive or negative. Listings with the highest number of reviews and most positive reviews get top spots in organic search results, but you can also pay to have your listing sponsored to appear higher than the organic results. 7. Grow Your Email Marketing List & Send Helpful Content An easy way to start collecting email addresses for your mailing list is to get customers to sign up at the point of sale. For example, offering a discount on their next purchase can help convince a customer to give you their email address, mobile number for text marketing, and even a mailing address for future direct mail campaigns. You can also use website forms to gain contacts, such as a pop-up form offering 10% off for new sign-ups. Create helpful content and publish it on a landing page on your website along with a sign-up form to capture emails. For example, you can offer tips on how to prepare your vehicle for driving in snow or rain, common do-it-yourself repairs, or a 100,000-mile car maintenance checklist. You can then send an email to your contact list with a link back to this content as well, and share a link to this content on social media for even more reach. is one of the best email marketing tools for reaching automotive marketing contacts. It’s easy to use and free if you have fewer than 2,000 contacts. Paid plans are affordable and include features like templates, A/B testing, predictive demographics, and a look-alike audience finder. Create pop-up forms for your website, surveys for your readers, and segment your contact list to deliver the most compelling information and offers to the right audience. 8. Try Traditional Local Advertising One of the most common automotive marketing strategies is to advertise in local newspapers, television and radio stations, and billboards. Despite being overshadowed by their more glamorous digital marketing rivals, all of these automotive marketing tactics are still viable. They enable you to hyper-target your ad’s placement and contribute to your brand’s credibility. In October 2021, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) members spent on average 4.9% of gross income on advertising. According to the NADA, car dealerships spend more than 40% of their advertising budget on television, radio, print, and direct mail campaigns. Plus, depending on your location, billboard advertising can be surprisingly affordable. 9. Send Press Releases to National & Local News Agencies Press releases are an effective way to drive brand awareness for your automotive business. Writing them takes practice, but you can use our press release templates to make the process faster and easier. A press release is relevant for many occasions, such as when your business expands, for new product or service releases, when you contribute to a charity, or to promote a special event. In addition to being published online, a news agency could pick up your press release for a story, which could give your news and brand a big boost. Even simply publishing your press releases online can help your SEO. Links from high-authority sites, like news media outlets, are beneficial for your website’s domain authority. In turn, this makes your website more likely to rank in online searches. To increase your odds of getting picked up by news agencies, use a press release distribution service like . eReleases will target your press release to your ideal audience based on factors like location and industry, and can distribute your press release to more than 5,000 different outlets. 10. Put Your Business Cards to Work A business card is an essential marketing tool regardless of industry. Customers will often pick up your business card when they are displayed at the point of sale. If you have outside sales reps, they’re a must. Or if you network at automotive events, car shows, or with local business owners, such as through your Chamber of Commerce, you’ll need a supply of business cards to hand out. You can also establish a referral lead generation partnership with complementary businesses and provide them with business cards to hand out to their customers. For example, if you run an auto repair shop or a parts store, consider setting up a referral partnership with an auto detailing service. As part of the agreement, you will both display or even distribute one another’s business cards to generate referrals. Browse dozens of the best business card designs for ideas that would work for your automotive business or design your own. When you’re ready to print your business cards, we recommend . They top our list of the best places to print business cards quickly and affordably. If you’d rather have a pro create a unique business card design for your company, work with a freelance graphic designer from for as little as $5. You can view individual designers’ work on the platform and choose the one that offers the best price and design for your needs. 11. Sell Your Automotive Products Online Another automotive marketing idea is to expand into selling products online. Considering that online sales of auto parts and accessories increased almost 3% in 2021, you could take your piece of the $6 billion-plus U.S. market share. When you’re ready to create an online store, use one of the best ecommerce site builders to make it easy and save time. Visit each of the providers in order to choose the platform that is most suited for your business type. For example, check out which site builders have templates that could easily be modified to represent your automotive business and brand, and which make it easy to add products to your online store, manage inventory, and fulfill sales. If you prefer to sell as a third-party distributor, many ecommerce platforms could work for your automotive marketing strategy. Large sites, such as Amazon and Walmart, accommodate third-party merchants, as do more niche platforms. If your automotive business sells unique items such as car decals or decorative seat covers, for example, selling on Etsy would be a good option. 12. Send Direct Mail to Local Residents Whether you use a mailing list of your customers or create an Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM) campaign, you can drum up a lot of interest in your brand, an event, or a sale with postcards sent via direct mail. Add something memorable and fun to the design that provides value for the recipient, such as a scratch-off section that reveals a percentage off. Setting up a direct mail campaign can be time-consuming. However, using one of the best direct mail services reduces the time it takes to create mailers and set up direct mail campaigns, and makes it more affordable. Since many advertising budgets are leaning digital, direct mail marketing creates an advantage and opportunities for businesses that use it for automotive marketing. In fact, customers who receive direct mail often spend twice as much as those who don’t receive or use direct mail. Given the opportunity that exists to successfully reach new customers using direct mail, check out our article with 20 direct mail marketing ideas you can use to boost your business. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How much do auto dealerships pay for advertising? On average, car dealerships paid $273,000 on digital advertising in 2020 and $41,400 for radio ads. Overall, dealerships spent more than $7.4 billion on advertising in 2020. How do you market in the automotive industry? Your strategy should incorporate a mix of digital and traditional automotive marketing and advertising tactics to get the best results. Digital marketing has become the dominant marketing strategy for most industries, but there are many local advertising ideas that work especially well for local businesses, including car dealerships, detailers, auto parts stores, and repair shops. How do I get internet leads for car sales? The first step is to make sure you have a search-friendly website. It should have informative content that shows your expertise in the automotive industry and include keywords you want your content and site to rank for. Adding topic-specific landing pages to your website is an especially effective method for collecting the contact information of leads using web forms. Once a site visitor fills out a form on your website, these leads should be funneled directly to your customer relationship management (CRM) software or email marketing platform for lead nurturing. Bottom Line The key is understanding your customer’s journey—some may prefer to research online and buy in person—so you need to market appropriately. Whether you find the most success with email, direct mail, SEO, word of mouth, or social media marketing, try a mix of automotive marketing strategies, track your results, and reinvest in those that produce the best return on investment. You Might Also Like… One of the first steps any business should take is to create a small business website. If you’re trying to decide between Facebook ads or Google ads, it’s a good idea to understand how each works.

is one of the largest user-generated review sites. Its content helps other consumers find local businesses across a variety of categories, such as restaurants, bars, shopping, entertainment, contractors, and just about any other local service. To use Yelp for business for maximum results, build your free Yelp business profile, respond to all reviews and inquiries, and use enhanced features and ads to attract customers and grow sales. What Type of Companies Should Use Yelp for Business Yelp is one of the most-trusted online business directories when it comes to reviews. With more than 130 million monthly users, using Yelp for business can be a very powerful―and even free―tool for local businesses that want to get found online. Every day, people publicly share thousands of opinions and ratings of local businesses, from restaurants and comedy clubs to pet grooming, contractors, and home cleaning services. Here are nine main business types Yelp is right for: Restaurants and foodservice Local retailers Nightlife like bars and clubs Entertainment Home services, such as contractors, electricians, plumbers, home cleaners, and movers Auto services, such as auto repair, detailing, dealers, and towing Health & fitness Beauty services Professional services, such as accountants, consultants, legal services, and caterers General services like computer repair and pet grooming If you don’t see a main category that seems to fit your business, try searching Yelp for business services your company offers. To do this, visit and type keywords related to your business in the search bar. Then, check the categories of the businesses that appear in the search results. Why Use Yelp for Business Companies often use Yelp to increase their business’s online visibility, build brand awareness, and in return, increase sales. Yelp has high domain authority, so listings can rank highly on Google for search queries a small business might struggle to rank for. Millions of people visit Yelp from Google searches or directly, giving businesses a way to get found online without making a large investment in other local search engine optimization (SEO) services. Taking it a step further, businesses that use Yelp can take advantage of the platform’s marketing and advertising features. From pay-per-click (PPC) advertising that puts a business’s listing at the top of Yelp’s results to a call-to-action button that makes it easy for consumers to request a quote or make a purchase, these audience-engaging features generate more sales for businesses using Yelp. How Much It Costs to Use Yelp for Business It’s free to set up and manage a business profile on Yelp, making it an obvious choice for many small businesses. However, to get the most from your company’s Yelp profile, you should invest in additional features and consider advertising your business on Yelp. For example, for $1 per day, your business can add a call-to-action button or remove competitors’ ads from displaying on your page. In addition to paid page upgrades, Yelp also offers PPC advising similar to Google Ads. It will rank your page higher, but cost-per-click (CPC) ranges from about $5 to $10, so its CPC may be more expensive for your business’ keywords than PPC platforms like Google Ads. Yelp Costs by Feature How To Use Yelp for Your Business in 6 Steps The process of how to use Yelp for Business is easy and it’s free unless you choose to add paid options or advertising to extend your reach on the platform. From setting up and optimizing your business profile on Yelp to managing your profile, here are six steps outlining how to use Yelp for business to maximize your return on investment. 1. Claim or Register Your Yelp Business Profile Check that your business isn’t already on Yelp before creating a new profile. To do this, start by searching for your business on Yelp using the search bar. If a profile exists, claim it. If not, create a new profile by navigating to the footer and clicking the “Claim your Business Page” options and following the steps to create your business page: How To Claim an Existing Yelp Business Profile Navigate to Yelp.com and search for your business name in the top search bar. If your business comes up in the search results, click the listing to open the profile. On your profile, you should see the option to “Claim this listing” to the right of your business name. Click this button and complete the steps to claim the listing and gain ownership of the profile: Create a New Yelp Profile If your business doesn’t have an existing profile on , create a new one. To do this, scroll down to the footer. Click “Claim your Business Page” in the menu options. Then, follow the steps to register your new account, such as inputting your business’ name, address, hours, and contact information: 2. Add Business Information After creating a business profile, complete it by providing as much information as possible about your company to optimize the chance of someone finding your business profile on Yelp. This includes your company’s physical address (if applicable), website URL, hours of operation, contact information, and a detailed description. Then, add at least five photos representative of your business. Here are the nine sections to complete in your Yelp business profile: Business name: If you just created your business profile, this section will be all set. However, if your business had a preexisting profile, check to be sure your business name was input accurately after claiming it. Categories: Every Yelp business profile must be linked to specific major categories with a maximum of three categories allowed per business. Be sure your profile is linked to the most appropriate categories so users can find your listing when they browse Yelp. Location: Input your company’s physical address if it’s a business customers normally visit in person, such as a restaurant, retail store, or coffee shop. This is key as Yelp shows a map pinpointing its location on your profile and also gives users the option to get directions to this address. Hours: Ensure that the hours listed reflect your actual hours of operation. Be sure to also update any holidays hours as some users may be looking to see if your business is open at these times. Contact information: Give visitors a way to contact your business should they have questions, want to book a service, or make a reservation. Include a phone number and an email, as well as any other contact methods routinely used. Your website address: Make sure your website URL is accurate. More business info section: This section includes a breadth of additional information relevant to your category or categories. For example, a restaurant could input whether they accept credit cards, allow dogs, have Wi-Fi, offer takeout, parking, and more. Add all pertinent information for your category type. Business description: Add a summary description of your business up to 1,500 characters. This can include information about your company’s specialties or strengths, business history, staff, and any other information that would make someone want to do business with your organization. Photo gallery: Photos are very important. They visually illustrate what your business is (or can do) and give visitors a sense of what to expect when they visit, hire, or purchase from your company. Upload anywhere from five to 10 quality images representative of your business, such as its physical store (interior and exterior), products, services, before and after photos, and so on. Below is an example of an effective business profile on Yelp, called Menotti’s Coffee Shop. It has basic business information and important details about key offerings like bike parking, the ability to accept Apple Pay, and a dog-friendly environment. It also has a large gallery of high-quality photos, a link to its menu, a price level, a call to action (“request an appointment”), and a five-star rating based on dozens of reviews: 3. Get Reviews From Existing Customers The main reason people use Yelp is to research business ratings and reviews as part of their decision-making process. Therefore, it’s critical for your business to secure high-quality reviews from its customers. Get your new profile off the ground with reviews from existing customers, friends, and family, and invite new customers to leave reviews or encourage them to do so by offering incentives. Ask for Reviews From Your Network The fastest way to get positive reviews is to ask customers, family, friends, and staff to leave a review of your business on Yelp. Be sure reviews are genuine and left by real Yelp users as Yelp filters out any reviews it deems to be inauthentic or “rigged.” To solicit reviews from your network, ask them personally or post a link to request reviews on your website, on social media, in emails or newsletters, on receipts, or via text messages. Here are nine ways to ask for reviews from your network: Personal requests: Ask friends, family, and staff members to leave a review on your company’s Yelp profile. Also, keep your ears open for customers who openly speak about how much they like your business, product, or service and invite them to share a review on Yelp. On your website: Encourage website visitors to go to your Yelp profile by adding a Yelp badge on your site. Learn more about what a Yelp badge is and how to get one. Social media: Create a post on your business’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts asking for genuine reviews or leave a link to your Yelp reviews in your company description or bio section. Email: Send a mass email to your customers sharing the news that your business has a new listing on Yelp and you would appreciate their reviews. Email signature: Add a “Find us on Yelp” link or Yelp badge to your email signature, increasing the chances that someone you communicate with via email will leave a review. Newsletters: Periodically reference your Yelp business account in weekly or monthly newsletters, reminding and encouraging satisfied customers to leave a review. Add your Yelp badge to the footer area of your email newsletters. Countertop display: Set up a countertop display beside a register or checkout area asking for happy customers to review your business on Yelp. Via your receipts: Some point-of-sale (POS) systems allow businesses to add custom messages to the bottom of receipts. If you have this option, add a message inviting customers to leave a review on your Yelp profile. Follow-up texts: Businesses that offer reservation-based services, such as salons, dentists, or chiropractors, often use text notifications to remind clients of upcoming appointments. Leverage this tool after the sale as a customer service follow-up requesting a Yelp review. Incentivize Customers to Leave Reviews If you’re struggling to get the volume of positive reviews you need, try offering an incentive and applying it to nearly any of the methods above. For example, you can email a coupon or gift card to those who leave a review. Use an incentive likely to be attractive to your customers and the best method (or multiple methods) to reach them with this offer. For more ideas and insights, check out the complete breakdown on how to get more reviews. 4. Monitor Your Account & Respond to Reviews Your Yelp profile isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it type of business listing. After building out your profile and implementing strategies to get reviews, start monitoring your account. Check your Yelp account daily for new reviews—good or bad—and reply to them right away. Make sure you leave a public response to each review by going to the reviews section of your business account, finding the relevant review, and clicking “Add Public Comment.” Enter your response, click “Preview,” then “Post Comment.” Respond to Good Reviews When responding to positive reviews, show your appreciation by thanking the reviewer for their patronage and feedback. This can be done with a short public reply but be sure to vary your replies to avoid your response looking canned or automated. Respond to Bad Reviews It’s crucial to reply to bad reviews as fast as possible as they are an opportunity to correct an issue or explain a situation. Plus, many consumers won’t be put off by a bad review if they see that your business was responsive and tried to remedy the situation. Start by apologizing for the experience or issue the reviewer had, offer objective clarifying information, invite them to contact you directly to come to a resolution, and don’t get defensive. Review & Analyze Yelp Metrics Your Yelp for Business Owners dashboard provides data about those who visit your profile. Review and analyze these metrics to gain insight into when users are the most active, common issues or comments, or if they’re posting certain types of photos. For example, a restaurant might find that people visit its profile on weekdays before dinner and then use that when timing future advertising and marketing campaigns: 5. Use Enhanced Business Profile Features You can upgrade your Yelp business profile with enhanced, premium page features and Yelp Deals. include the addition of a call-to-action button, the inclusions of an enhanced photo gallery, and the removal of profile ads. Additionally, Yelp Deals allows you to offer exclusive deals on your profile, such as a discount or gift certificates, to monetize your account. Enhanced business page features include the ability to add a CTA button, remove competitor ads from your profile page, and use an enhanced image gallery. Each individual enhanced feature currently costs $1 per month, and Yelp also receives a commission for deals and gift certificates sold. To add enhanced business profile features, contact a Yelp Ad Representative via phone at (877) 767-9357. Add a CTA Button A call-to-action button gives visitors a way to immediately interact with your business by performing a certain action. For example, a restaurant could include a call-to-action like “Make a reservation” or “Place an order,” whereas a salon might use a call to action, such as “Book an appointment.” The CTA button appears on the right-hand side of your business page. Remove Competitor Ads from Your Business Page Yelp displays competitor’s ads automatically toward the bottom of your business page to give page visitors alternatives within your business category. This can be good for a visitor, but it’s not so good for your business. To keep the focus on your organization, you can pay to remove competitor ads from your page: Enhanced Photo Gallery The enhanced photo gallery option allows you to select the order in which photos are displayed in the photo gallery. This enables you to control what visitors see when they visit your business page. For example, your company may use this feature to showcase professional photos rather than user-generated or other photos added more recently, which may be lower-quality and less flattering: Yelp Deals & Reservations Yelp Deals are prepaid vouchers and gift certificates you can use to monetize your business profile. They’re sold via a CTA button on the profile page in the right-hand sidebar. Yelp Deals cost nothing upfront to use; however, Yelp charges a 30% commission for deals and 10% for gift certificates. 6. Advertise Your Business on Yelp Yelp advertising increases traffic to your business’ profile, thereby attracting new customers. It achieves this through PPC ads that position your company’s profile at the top of search results. The cost of these ads varies, but most businesses using Yelp ads spend anywhere from $300-$1,000 per month with a three-month commitment. For more information, contact a Ad Specialist. Learn more about using online ads as part of your organization’s search engine marketing strategy: Pros & Cons of Yelp for Business Businesses tend to have a love-hate relationship with Yelp. While some love the free exposure and social proof it provides, others dislike the negative impact bad reviews can have on their company and complain that Yelp ads are costly. The Pros of Yelp for Business When considering whether your business should use Yelp, there are some very strong pros. The top advantages of using Yelp for business include increased exposure, social proof, and that it’s free to create and manage a profile. These all make Yelp an affordable and effective way to market your business. Here are the top three pros of Yelp for business: Increased exposure: With more than 130 million active monthly users, your business is likely to gain a lot of exposure if it has a quality business page with many good reviews. Social proof: People use reviews when making purchasing decisions. Good reviews provide social proof, which gives those new to your business the confidence to try it or to choose it over that of a competitor. Free: While you can pay for enhanced business page features or Yelp ads, it’s free to create and manage a business page on Yelp. The Cons of Yelp for Business The cons of using Yelp are light compared to its pros; however, it’s worth acknowledging the downsides of Yelp for business. These mainly include the impact of negative reviews, the time it takes to manage another platform, and the cost to advertise on Yelp. Here are the top three cons of Yelp for business: Negative effect of bad reviews: People tend to only leave reviews when they’re either extremely happy or extremely dissatisfied, and negative reviews can hurt your business. However, you may face this problem regardless of whether you use Yelp for business since poor reviews can also be left elsewhere, such as your Facebook business page or Google My Business listing. Another platform to manage: Time is a limited resource and Yelp is another platform to manage. While many think they can “set it and forget it” when it comes to business directory listings, you don’t want to do this on Yelp. Instead, you’ll need to invest time maintaining your profile, responding to reviews and inquiries, and keeping it up to date. It can get expensive: While paid advertising is optional, Yelp’s PPC platform generally has a higher average cost-per-acquisition compared to other PPC advertising platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads. Despite Yelp’s potential cons, it proves an effective marketing platform for businesses when used strategically. Some cons, such as bad reviews, can even serve as an opportunity to get customer feedback that can be used for making business improvements. Most importantly for small businesses, Yelp can be used for free as a way to draw in new customers. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How can I acquire and manage Yelp reviews? The easiest and fastest way to get reviews is usually by asking for them from your existing network, such as current customers, friends, and family. Whether they’re positive or negative, respond to every review. This shows that your business is proactive and cares about its customers’ experience and satisfaction. If you don’t have time to manage all your business’ reviews, opt for an online reputation management service, such as . What are the best local SEO tools? The best local SEO tools not only help you rank higher in online search results, but they’re also affordable, easy to use, and effective in helping your business reach its SEO goals. These include everything from for free keyword research and website insights, for performance data and optimizations, and or for online reputation management. How do I use keywords to optimize my Yelp page? Keywords are words and search terms people use to find businesses like yours in online searches. For example, Nonna’s Trattoria is an Italian restaurant so its primary keyword would be “Italian restaurant” as well as the city name where the user wants to find one. Discover top keywords people use to find your type of business with a free keyword research tool like and use them in your Yelp business info and description. Bottom Line To use Yelp for business effectively, create a comprehensive, search-optimized business profile, pay a small monthly fee for Yelp’s enhanced features, and engage with customers by responding to all reviews quickly. Doing so increases your visibility, in turn growing your customer base and leading to more sales. Even if you have a complete profile and manage all reviews, it can still be hard for your business to show up in Yelp search results. Try ads to give your business the boost it needs to gain visibility and to attract new customers. Get a free $300 Yelp advertising coupon by signing up today. You Might Also Like… Increase your visibility online and offline with the best local advertising ideas. Continue learning about how to improve your local SEO with free local citations. Want to drive more traffic to your site? Check out the best website marketing strategies.