What Are the Best Marketing Strategies in the Lehigh Valley?
Local Businesses Are Growing — But So Is the Competition
Everywhere you look across the Lehigh Valley — from Easton’s Centre Square to Bethlehem’s Main Street — new small businesses are opening their doors.
That’s great for the local economy, but it also means one thing: if people can’t find you online, they’ll find someone else.
Over 85% of local customers use Google to find nearby businesses before calling or visiting.
The way to stay visible isn’t about spending the most money — it’s about using the right mix of local strategies that keep your business in front of the people who already live and shop near you.
Everywhere you look across the Lehigh Valley — from Easton’s Centre Square to Bethlehem’s Main Street — new small businesses are opening their doors.
That’s great for the local economy, but it also means one thing: if people can’t find you online, they’ll find someone else.
Over 85% of local customers use Google to find nearby businesses before calling or visiting.
The way to stay visible isn’t about spending the most money — it’s about using the right mix of local strategies that keep your business in front of the people who already live and shop near you.
Local SEO — Show Up When People Search Nearby
Local SEO : (Search Engine Optimization) is just a fancy way of saying “getting found on Google when people nearby are searching for your services.”
When someone types “auto detailing in Easton” or “best contractor Bethlehem,” Google decides who to show first.
If your profile, website, and reviews are strong, you’ll appear in the top results — especially in the Google Maps section.
To improve local SEO:
- Keep your Google Business Profile updated (hours, photos, services, reviews).
- Add pages on your site for each city you serve — Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Nazareth.
- Include real photos and testimonials from local customers.
Local SEO is powerful because it brings in free traffic. You’re not paying per click — just earning visibility through consistency.
Local SEO :
(Search Engine Optimization) is just a fancy way of saying “getting found on Google when people nearby are searching for your services.”
When someone types “auto detailing in Easton” or “best contractor Bethlehem,” Google decides who to show first.
If your profile, website, and reviews are strong, you’ll appear in the top results — especially in the Google Maps section.
To improve local SEO:
- Keep your Google Business Profile updated (hours, photos, services, reviews).
- Add pages on your site for each city you serve — Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Nazareth.
- Include real photos and testimonials from local customers.
Local SEO is powerful because it brings in free traffic. You’re not paying per click — just earning visibility through consistency.
Client Showcase
Facebook & Instagram Ads — Stay in Front of Local Eyes
Social media ads help people discover your business before they even think to search.
They work especially well for visual businesses — restaurants, detailers, salons, landscapers, and contractors.
Here’s how:
- Use short videos or before-and-after photos.
- Mention your city directly (e.g., “Bethlehem homeowners,” “Easton drivers”).
- Keep your offer simple — something people understand immediately..
Nearly 75% of local consumers say they’ve made a purchase after seeing a social media ad from a nearby business.
The right post, shown to the right audience, can turn casual viewers into customers fast.
Social media ads help people discover your business before they even think to search.
They work especially well for visual businesses — restaurants, detailers, salons, landscapers, and contractors.
Here’s how:
- Use short videos or before-and-after photos.
- Mention your city directly (e.g., “Bethlehem homeowners,” “Easton drivers”).
- Keep your offer simple — something people understand immediately.
Nearly 75% of local consumers say they’ve made a purchase after seeing a social media ad from a nearby business.
The right post, shown to the right audience, can turn casual viewers into customers fast.
Remarketing — Reaching Back Out to Interested Customers
Most people don’t buy the first time they visit your website.
They might get distracted or want to compare prices. Remarketing solves that.
It automatically shows your ads again to people who already visited your website or clicked one of your ads before.
They’ll see your name again while reading the news, scrolling Facebook, or watching YouTube — keeping you top of mind until they’re ready to buy.
If you’ve ever seen an ad for a company right after visiting their website — that’s remarketing.
It can double your return on investment because you’re only targeting people who already showed interest.
Build Real Community Presence
Even with all the online tools, trust still starts in your neighborhood.
Businesses that show up both online and in the community grow faster and last longer.
You don’t need to sponsor huge events — small, consistent involvement works best:
- Support local sports teams or student clubs (like Easton’s FBLA).
- Partner with other small businesses around the Easton Circle or Bethlehem’s Broad Street.
- Attend Musikfest or Allentown’s small business expos to network.
These things help people recognize your name offline — which strengthens your online credibility too.
Google actually rewards local mentions and backlinks from community sites, so it helps both ways.
Email & Text Follow-Ups — The Simplest Way to Get Repeat Business
If you already have a list of past customers, that’s gold.
You don’t need to pay for ads to reach them — a simple email or text campaign can bring them back.
Ideas that work:
“Hey , it’s time for your spring cleaning discount.”
“We’re offering Bethlehem residents 10% off this week — book before Friday.”
It’s personal, fast, and keeps your name fresh in their mind.
Reactivating old customers often costs 90% less than finding new ones.
A Strong Website — Your 24/7 Salesperson
Your website is where everything connects — your SEO, ads, and social media all point here.
If it looks outdated, takes too long to load, or doesn’t clearly show your services, people leave in seconds.
A good local business website should:
- Load in under 3 seconds (half of visitors leave if it’s slower).
- Show exactly what you do and where you serve.
- Include click-to-call buttons and quote forms.
- Feature reviews and before-and-after photos.
Think of it as your digital storefront — the first impression that decides if someone contacts you or keeps scrolling.
Stack Local Cities Together for Maximum Reach
Many Lehigh Valley businesses focus on just one town — but customers travel.
Someone who lives in Bethlehem might work in Easton or shop in Allentown.
By creating pages for each city (and linking them together), you can show up across the entire valley — not just one ZIP code.
That’s called GEO stacking, and it’s how brands build regional dominance instead of being “the best-kept secret.”
Frequently Asked Questions?
What’s the #1 marketing strategy for local businesses?
Start with Google — your Business Profile and website. Most customers will find you there first.
How long until I see results from marketing?
SEO can take 2–3 months. Ads and remarketing can start generating leads within a week.
Should I hire a marketing agency or do it myself?
You can handle basics yourself, but agencies save time and ensure everything works together — especially across Google, Facebook, and automation.
Do online reviews really matter?
Yes. Businesses with 50+ Google reviews get up to 70% more clicks than those with fewer.
What’s the best way to get more reviews?
Ask right after the job or automate review requests by text. The sooner you ask, the higher your response rate.
Is social media actually worth it?
Yes — but only if you post regularly and use local hashtags like #LehighValleySmallBusiness or #EastonPA.
How much should I budget for marketing?
A healthy range is 5–10% of your monthly revenue. The goal is consistency — not big bursts and long breaks.
How can I tell if my marketing is working?
You’ll notice more calls, website visitors, and form submissions. If you’re not tracking that, you’re flying blind.
What’s one simple fix that helps most local businesses?
Update your Google Business Profile photos weekly — fresh content signals activity to Google.
What’s the biggest mistake small businesses make?
Relying only on word-of-mouth. That’s great for referrals, but you need new visibility to grow steadily.
Build Your Presence Across the Lehigh Valley
Whether you’re in Easton, Bethlehem, or Allentown, your business deserves more than just traffic — it deserves recognition.
At Virsa Labs Marketing, we help local companies show up, stand out, and scale with systems that keep working long after the ad ends
Get your free local visibility audit today.
Find out how your business shows up online and what’s missing from your marketing plan.
