If you run a local business with a physical location—a shop, office, clinic, studio, or workshop—one of your constant goals is simple: you want more people walking through your door.
More people visiting your business means more chances to start conversations, build relationships, and make sales or book appointments.
You’d rather be busy all day talking with customers and clients than sitting in a quiet location, watching the clock and wondering where everyone is.
Get More Customers Through Your Door
Before you focus on promotions, ads, and special events, it helps to remember one key idea:
Driving more people to your business only works if your business is worth visiting.
That means a clean, welcoming space, a clear offer, services and products people want, fair pricing, and staff who care. When you combine a strong in-person experience with smart marketing, you give your business the best chance to grow.
Below, we’ll look at quick wins you can use right away, followed by longer-term strategies that build steady traffic to your location over time.
Quick Wins to Bring People In This Week
Host a Grand Opening or Re-Opening Event
If you’re opening a new business, a grand opening can create a lot of local buzz in a short time. If you’ve been open for a while, you can use the same idea for a re-opening, anniversary event, or “new look” launch.
Plan an event that matches what you do. Offer light refreshments, small giveaways, or prize draws. Create a theme around your services or products so people remember you for more than just a discount.
For example:
- A salon could host a “new season style” day with mini consultations.
- An auto shop could run a “free safety check” event.
- A clinic or professional office could host an open house or information session.
When the event is memorable, people talk about it. They tell friends and family, share photos, and help spread the word about your business.
For more ideas, see How to Plan a Grand Opening.
Offer Free Samples, Trials, or Mini Sessions
Free experiences are a simple way to get people to stop, look, and step inside.
If you sell physical products, you can set up a small sampling table near your entrance and invite passersby to try what you sell. Let them taste, smell, or feel the product.
If you sell services, you can offer:
- Short introductory consultations.
- Mini assessments or checkups.
- Quick demonstrations or trial sessions.
A friendly greeting and a quick explanation go a long way. Many people will walk in “just to look” or “just to ask a question” after a free sample or mini session. Once they’re inside, you have an opportunity to explain how you can help.
Use Limited-Time In-Person Deals
Exclusive offers that are only available when someone visits your location can give customers and clients a reason to come now instead of “someday.” These don’t have to be complicated.
For example:
- “Today only: 20% off services booked on-site from 4–7 p.m.”
- “Weekend special: free add-on service with any appointment.”
- “Walk-in bonus: show this message and get a small discount or gift.”
Time-limited offers create urgency. When people know a deal is only available at certain times or days, they are more likely to plan a visit.
Host In-Person Events and Workshops
Events are a great way to get people in the door without making them feel pressured to buy or book right away. You start by offering value first, then naturally introduce your services or products afterward.
Choose events that fit your business. For example:
- If you run a fitness studio, host a short workshop or group class.
- If you’re a financial or business professional, offer a simple information session or Q&A.
- If you run a pet service, invite people to a basic care or training demo.
After the event, participants often stick around to ask questions, book appointments, or buy related products.
Use Social Media and Influencers to Drive Visits
Social media influencers can introduce your business to new people and give your brand extra credibility. The key is to choose influencers whose audience matches your ideal customer or client.
Ask them to visit your location, experience what you offer, and share it. Encourage them to:
- Mention your business by name and tag your account.
- Share your location and directions.
- Highlight any in-person-only offers or events.
Most followers trust the recommendations of influencers they follow. If someone they admire visits and talks about your business, they’re more likely to stop by themselves.
Be sure to partner with influencers whose content matches your niche. For example, a health influencer is a better fit for a clinic or gym than someone known for car reviews.
Improve Your Curb Appeal and Signage
Your exterior is often the first impression people get of your business. Before they talk to you or your staff, they see your entrance, signs, and how your location looks from the street.
Strong curb appeal does three things:
- Makes it immediately clear what you do.
- Looks clean, inviting, and professional.
- Gives people a simple reason to come inside.
Depending on your type of business, this could mean:
- A clear sign with your main service and hours.
- A small display or poster in the window highlighting a special offer.
- Comfortable, tidy seating or a neat entry area.
Test different messages and looks. Watch what gets attention and what makes people slow down or walk in.
Use Local Newspaper and Radio Advertising
Local media can still be a powerful way to reach people who live or work near your business.
Local newspaper ads: Many communities still have print or digital local papers that people read to stay informed. A small, well-designed ad with a clear offer and your address can remind people to visit you. See Newspaper Advertising Tips for ideas on getting results from your budget.
Local radio ads: Your local radio station can help you reach people in your area who are commuting, working, or listening at home. You can run short ads that promote upcoming events, limited-time offers, or seasonal promotions. For more insights, see Radio Advertising Pros and Cons.
Long-Term Strategies to Build Consistent Foot Traffic
Offer Convenient Business Hours
Your hours should work for your customers and clients, not just for your schedule. If you close early or stay closed during the times people prefer to visit, they may simply go elsewhere.
Many people like to visit businesses:
- After work on weekday evenings.
- On weekends when they have more free time.
Look at your booking patterns and traffic. Consider testing extended hours on certain days or staying open later during busy seasons. When your doors are open when people are ready to visit, you increase the chances they will come to you instead of a competitor.
Use Email and SMS to Bring People Back
Email and SMS marketing are powerful tools for encouraging repeat visits from people who already know your business.
You can use them to:
- Send special in-person coupons or “show this message” offers.
- Announce new services, packages, or seasonal promotions.
- Remind customers and clients of upcoming events or workshops.
- Offer exclusive booking times or VIP hours.
When you send relevant, timely messages, many people will decide to drop by or book an appointment because they feel they are getting something special for making the trip.
Strengthen Your Local Digital Presence
When people are looking for a product or service and are not sure where to go, many start with an online search. You want your location to appear when they search for businesses like yours in your area.
Make sure you:
- Build a simple website that clearly lists what you offer, your address, hours, and contact details.
- Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile so you show up in local map results.
- Add photos of your entrance, interior, and key services or products so people know what to expect.
- Encourage happy customers and clients to leave reviews, which build trust and visibility.
You can also use online advertising to target local people. For fast results and a high level of control, see How to Advertise on Facebook and How to Advertise on Google. Both platforms allow you to target people near your business and set a budget that fits your needs.
Use Free and Low-Cost Advertising Methods
Not all advertising has to cost a lot of money. There are many free or low-cost ways to remind people that your business is open and ready to serve them.
These might include:
- Posting on local community boards and social media groups.
- Partnering with neighboring businesses to share flyers or cross-promote events.
- Participating in local fairs, markets, or charity events.
For more ideas, see Free Advertising Ideas for Small Businesses.
Offer Complimentary Services and Perks
Sometimes the extra value you offer can be the deciding factor that gets people to choose your business over another.
Consider offering perks such as:
- Free or validated parking where possible.
- Free Wi-Fi in your waiting or reception area.
- Free or low-cost delivery for certain products.
- Simple payment plans or in-house financing options if appropriate.
- Strong warranties, guarantees, or clear follow-up support.
These benefits make it easier and more comfortable for people to choose you. Over time, they learn that visiting your business comes with added advantages.
Run Customer Loyalty Programs
A well-designed loyalty program rewards people for coming back. It also gives them a reason to choose your business instead of a competitor.
Common examples include:
- Punch cards (for example, “buy nine visits, get the tenth free”).
- Point-based systems where customers earn points on every purchase or visit.
- Tiered programs that unlock better perks for frequent users.
When people know that every visit or purchase moves them closer to a reward, they are more likely to return. For inspiration, see Ideas for Customer Loyalty Programs.
Create a Simple Referral Program
A referral program motivates your existing customers and clients to introduce new people to your business. This can be as simple as:
- “Give a friend $5 off their first visit, and you get $5 off your next one.”
- “Refer a client and receive a small gift or credit when they book.”
For a referral program to work, people must already like your services and experience. No one recommends a business they do not trust. When you back your program with strong customer service, referrals can become a steady source of new visitors.
Build a Community Around Your Business
Building a community turns your location from a place where people buy things or receive services into a place where they connect and feel at home.
You can:
- Host regular events or themed days that your best customers and clients look forward to.
- Organize club meetings, classes, or meetups related to what you do.
- Support local causes or teams and invite people to get involved.
For example, if you run a gym, you could host cardio challenges, group hikes, or bike rides that start and end at your location. If you run a professional office, you could host regular information nights or Q&A sessions on topics your community cares about.
As your community grows, people will stop by more often, bring friends, and see your business as part of their routine.
Deliver Great Customer Service Every Time
All the promotions and advertising in the world won’t help if people have a poor experience when they visit you.
Excellent customer service is one of the strongest long-term drivers of in-person visits. Happy customers and clients come back and tell others about you.
Focus on the basics:
- Greet people warmly when they enter.
- Be available to help without being pushy.
- Answer questions honestly and clearly.
- Handle complaints with patience and respect.
- Thank people for visiting, even if they don’t buy or book this time.
When people feel respected and appreciated, they’re more likely to return and recommend you to others.
For more ideas, see Customer Service Tips.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get more people through your door. Some work quickly, such as events, free samples or mini sessions, and limited-time in-person offers. Others take longer to build, like loyalty programs, community events, and a strong local digital presence that supports your physical location.
The most effective approach is to combine quick wins with long-term strategies. Use promotions, events, and local advertising to get people in today, while you build loyalty, reputation, and community to keep them coming back.
Above all, remember this: attracting more visitors is only the first step. Making sure they enjoy their experience and want to return is what turns foot traffic into lasting business growth.
Key Points
- Make your business worth visiting with a welcoming space, clear messaging, and services or products people want.
- Use quick wins like grand openings, events, free samples or mini sessions, and limited-time in-person deals to create short-term traffic boosts.
- Take advantage of local media such as community newspapers and radio stations to reach nearby customers and clients.
- Strengthen your local digital presence with a simple website, a complete Google Business Profile, and targeted online ads.
- Offer complimentary services and perks, such as parking, Wi-Fi, delivery options, or strong guarantees, to give people extra reasons to choose you.
- Run loyalty and referral programs to turn happy visitors into regulars and bring in new people.
- Build a community around your business with ongoing events, meetups, and local involvement.
- Deliver great customer service every time, so the people you attract want to return and recommend your business to others.