https://studio.hamlethub.com/belocal/

HamletHub, 37 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT (2025)

05/28/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹

82% of consumers want to view and feel products in-store before buying online (Push On). This stat reveals a powerful truth: physical interaction doesn't just build trust—it boosts sales.

A Klarna survey found that 46% of U.S. shoppers are more likely to purchase items after touching and trying them, often choosing higher-priced options. This tactile connection creates ownership feelings, making customers willing to spend more.

The rise of e-commerce has made physical stores more important than ever for local businesses. While online platforms offer convenience, they lack the personal touch that 34% of U.S. shoppers say is missing from their favorite retail websites.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/local-stores-physical-touch-drives-customer-sales-growth

05/19/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Despite the rise of online shopping, a remarkable 84% of all U.S. retail sales still happen in physical stores Salesforce. This isn't just surprising—it's an opportunity for your local business to thrive.

When customers shop locally, $68 of every $100 spent stays in the community, compared to just $13 from national chains according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Your business doesn't just sell products—it builds your neighborhood.
The numbers don't lie:

- 61% of consumers prefer shopping at local businesses for better service (Retail Dive)
- 72% of shoppers want to see and touch products before buying (Harvard Business Review)
- 79% value getting items right away instead of waiting for shipping (NRF Consumer Survey)
- 65% trust brands more when they have a physical store nearby (McKinsey Retail Report)

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/local-business-instore-marketing-boost

05/13/2025

Verified Google Business Profiles (GBPs) average 200 interactions every month. Verified profiles also show up more in searches and build trust. Businesses with verified GBPs get 1,803 monthly views, and 84% of those are from customers who find you by searching for what you do—not your business name..

That's the power of showing up in discovery searches. It’s like having a neon sign on Main Street—but smarter.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/google-my-business-200-interactions-a-month

05/09/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Despite the digital boom, nearly 84% of all U.S. retail sales still happen in physical stores (U.S. Census Bureau, 2025). That’s right—brick-and-mortar is still the backbone of retail.

Why? Because 31% of shoppers prefer shopping in-person (Neil Patel, 2025). Top reasons include avoiding shipping fees (37%) and getting exclusive in-store deals (30%).

More than ever, consumers are making fast, emotional decisions in-store—76% of purchases are made on the spot (Shopkick, 2025). And physical locations aren’t fading—50% of retailers plan to open more stores, with 68% saying it boosts foot traffic (Forrester, 2025).

Local matters.
https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/local-stores-still-win

05/06/2025

Did you know that 65% of Google searches in 2024 didn’t lead to a website click? (WordStream) And this stat is before Google had widely implemented AI to show the answer before listing results.

For every 1,000 searches in the US, only 360 clicks reach non-Google websites—the rest stay in Google’s ecosystem or go nowhere. (Search Engine Land) This means your local business must stand out online to turn searches into customers. As a local business owner myself, I’ve seen how a strong online presence can bring more foot traffic and sales. With 97% of people learning about local businesses online first (BrightLocal), and 80% of local mobile searches leading to conversions like calls or visits (Sagapixel), optimizing your digital footprint is critical.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/how-local-businesses-can-win-without-website-clicks

04/30/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗱, 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲

Every challenge is an opportunity—when things get weird, people get rich, as Arthur Brooks says. During tough times, local businesses can shine by leaning into community ties. A 2023 McKinsey study found that businesses investing in innovation during economic uncertainty were 2.4 times more likely to outperform competitors in revenue growth. By addressing local needs—like offering flexible payment plans or hosting community events—you can build stronger relationships and drive repeat business, turning challenges into opportunities.

Economic shifts or supply chain issues push local businesses to get creative. For example, a café facing high ingredient costs could switch to locally sourced items, attracting customers who love authenticity. Technology can help, too. A 2024 BrightLocal study showed 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, so using tech like e-commerce platforms or social media can boost your reach. Complaints are also chances to grow. A 2023 Zendesk report found 70% of customers stay loyal if issues are resolved quickly, so fixing problems fast can spark positive word-of-mouth.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/when-markets-get-weird-local-businesses-can-thrive

04/29/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀

Did you know that increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can boost profits by 25% to 95%? This powerful insight from Bain & Company reveals why keeping your existing customers happy is so valuable. The profit from repeat customers is much higher than from new ones buying the same products – making retention a smart focus for your local business.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

When customers come back, they spend more. Research from Adobe shows loyal customers spend 67% more than new ones. Plus, these loyal fans become your best marketers. The Word of Mouth Marketing Association found that a recommendation from a trusted friend is 5x more effective than any paid ad.

According to HubSpot's 2025 Small Business Report, local businesses with strong retention programs see 3x the growth of competitors focused mainly on acquisition.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/why-retention-pays-more-than-acquisition-for-local-

04/28/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗶𝗻

Did you know 40% of Gen Z would rather scroll Instagram or TikTok than Google to find a lunch spot? (Soci, 2025). That’s a huge shift for local businesses! Social media is where your customers are, but mastering every platform is tough—near impossible. So don't try.

I’ve seen businesses try to conquer them all and end up with posts that flop because what shines on TikTok might tank on Instagram. Instead, focus on one or two platforms that fit your audience best. For example, 82% of Gen Z uses TikTok, while 60% of Millennials are on Instagram (Sprout Social). Pick smart, and you’ll connect better with your local community.

Different social networks attract different crowds. Spreading yourself thin across all platforms wastes time and money. A coffee shop’s quirky TikTok video might get thousands of views, but that same post could fall flat on LinkedIn. The key? Choose platforms where your customers hang out and get really good at them.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/why-local-shops-need-just-one-social-media-platform-to-win

04/24/2025

"Near Me" Searches: The Local Growth Opportunity You're Missing

The data is clear: "Near me" searches have grown by over 900% in the last two years (Google). This isn't just a trend—it's a direct pipeline to your local business that many owners aren't fully using.

When someone searches "coffee shop near me" or "hardware store near me," they're ready to buy, not just browsing. These are your highest-value potential customers.

Why This Matters Now

Mobile drives this behavior—88% of "near me" searches happen on smartphones (Nectafy). More importantly, 76% of these searches result in a same-day store visit (Think With Google).

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/skyrocket-your-local-sales-with-near-me-search-powerhttps://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/skyrocket-your-local-sales-with-near-me-search-power

04/23/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝟰𝟮% 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻'𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

Did you know that 42% of consumers have searched online for information about a local retail store in the last 30 days? (SOCi) This means nearly half of your potential customers are looking for you online before visiting your store.

A complete Google Business Profile can capture this search traffic and turn online searchers into in-store visitors. With 76% of people who search “near me” visiting a business within a day (Google), and 88% of local mobile searches leading to a call or visit within 24 hours (Nectafy), your online presence is critical.

Mobile searches often drive same-day store visits, so clear, mobile-friendly information is a must. Social media profiles also act as key touchpoints for customers checking hours, location, product availability, or reviews. Without this, you risk losing customers before they step through your door.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/the-local-online-presence-gap-why-42-of-consumers-cant-find-your-businesshttps://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/the-local-online-presence-gap-why-42-of-consumers-cant-find-your-business

04/22/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹-𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘆

As a local business owner, I’ve seen how shopping habits are changing. Did you know 92% of people research online while in a brick-and-mortar store? (PowerReviews) This shows customers want information and a great in-store experience. Brick-and-mortar stores are more than just places to buy—they’re where people verify products and enjoy shopping. To build trust, your reviews and product details must be the same online and in-store.

Mobile devices turn stores into part of the online research journey. In 2024, 72% of in-store shoppers use phones to compare prices, and 69% check reviews (FitSmallBusiness). By 2025, over 10% of U.S. retail sales will come from mobile commerce (WebsiteBuilderExpert). This hybrid shopping trend means local stores can connect with customers at multiple points.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/the-digital-physical-divide-how-local-shoppers-research-before-they-buyhttps://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/the-digital-physical-divide-how-local-shoppers-research-before-they-buy

04/21/2025

𝗧𝗮𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

Every day, 32% of people search for local businesses, often multiple times, using their phones (SOCi).

These aren't casual browsers – they're motivated buyers with immediate needs. Google's latest Local Search Behavior Report confirms that 76% of local searches result in a store visit within 24 hours, and 28% lead to a purchase.

But here's the challenge: 68% of these searchers will immediately choose another business if your online information is outdated or incomplete (Uberall, 2024). And with 61% of these searches happening on mobile devices (Think With Google), your digital presence must be smartphone-ready.

https://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/tap-into-daily-local-search-habits-to-grow-your-businesshttps://marketlocal.hamlethub.com/post/tap-into-daily-local-search-habits-to-grow-your-business

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