Let’s be honest: Bakersfield doesn’t always scream “digital marketing hotspot.” But that’s exactly why it matters. In a city where word-of-mouth still carries weight and local pride runs deep, getting your website in front of the right eyes isn’t just smart; it’s essential. The good news? There’s a playbook for this, and it’s not buried under a pile of Silicon Valley buzzwords.
You want traffic that sticks. Not just clicks from bots or bored browsers. Real people in Bakersfield, searching for what you offer, and actually showing up. So, how do you get there?
Start with the basics: Local SEO.
Local SEO is your bread and butter. If you’re not showing up when someone Googles “best tacos in Bakersfield” or “emergency plumber near me,” you’re missing out on a huge chunk of traffic. According to Google, 46 percent of all searches have local intent. That’s nearly half. Half. And that’s not some vague national average; it includes people right down the street from you.
So, here’s what you do: claim your Google Business Profile. Fill in your name, address, phone, hours, and make sure it matches everywhere else online. Use keywords that include Bakersfield, not just “HVAC repair,” but “Bakersfield HVAC repair.” It sounds obvious, but most businesses skip it. Also, get listed on local directories like Yelp and the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. These citations help Google trust you, and trust equals traffic.
Speak their language: Hyperlocal content.
Now that people can find you, give them a reason to stay. That’s where content comes in, but not just any content. We’re not talking about generic blog posts that could’ve been written from a coffee shop in Des Moines. We’re talking about content that sounds like it came from someone who’s actually walked the streets of Bakersfield.
Write about things that matter to your community. “Top 5 Digital Marketing Trends for Bakersfield Real Estate Agents” hits differently than “Top 5 Marketing Trends in 2024.” The first one feels like it was written for someone you might run into at Woolworth’s. The second one could be from a robot.
When your content feels local, it builds trust. And trust, as you might’ve guessed, drives traffic.
Make friends in low places; local places.
Influencer marketing isn’t just for makeup brands and protein shakes. Bakersfield has its own micro-influencers, people with a few thousand followers who actually know their audience. These folks aren’t just posting selfies; they’re shaping local opinions.
You can find them through tools like Upfluence or Heepsy. Look for creators in your niche, then reach out. Don’t overthink it. A simple collaboration, like a giveaway or a product review, can send a steady stream of traffic to your site. And because it’s coming from someone people already trust, it’s more likely to convert.
Target the right ZIP codes, not the whole country.
Paid ads are great, but only if they’re smart. You don’t need to blast your message across California. You need to reach the people in Rosedale, Downtown, or The Marketplace who are actually looking for what you sell.
With Google Ads and Facebook Ads, you can target by ZIP code, city, or even a specific radius. Use local references in your ad copy. Say something like, “Need a new roof before the Bakersfield summer heat hits?” That hits home. Literally.
And don’t forget retargeting. If someone visits your site but doesn’t buy, show them a follow-up ad. It’s like a polite nudge, not a hard sell.
Fast and mobile-friendly; or forget it.
Here’s the thing: if your website loads slowly or looks terrible on a phone, people will leave. Fast. Bakersfield might feel laid-back, but digital patience is still thin. Over 63 percent of U.S. web traffic comes from mobile. That’s not a trend; it’s the standard.
Run your site through Google’s PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test. Aim for a load time under 3 seconds. Make sure buttons are tappable, text is readable, and nothing breaks when you rotate the screen. It’s not glamorous work, but it keeps people on your site.
Get some local links that matter.
Backlinks are still one of the strongest signals for SEO. But don’t chase links from random blogs in Bulgaria. You want links that make sense for Bakersfield.
Sponsor a local event. Partner with a nonprofit. Contribute an article to The Bakersfield Californian. These aren’t just good for SEO; they’re good for your reputation. When people see your name tied to things they care about, they’re more likely to click, visit, and stick around.
Hang out where your audience already is.
Reddit and Facebook aren’t just for memes and high school reunions. They’re full of hyper-local communities. Bakersfield has active groups where people ask for recommendations, promote events, and complain about traffic on the 99.
Join those conversations. Don’t sell—just be helpful. If someone asks for a good local photographer and that’s you, say so. If someone’s looking for a digital marketing agency, well, you know what to do.
Start with r/Bakersfield on Reddit or Facebook groups like “Bakersfield Business Network” and “Bakersfield Events & Happenings.” You’ll be surprised how much traffic can come from a single thoughtful comment.
Measure what matters, not what’s shiny.
Finally, track everything. Use Google Analytics 4 and Search Console to see where your traffic’s coming from. What are people clicking on? Where are they dropping off? Are Bakersfield visitors converting more than people from Fresno?
Set up location-specific goals in GA4. That way, you’re not just counting clicks—you’re counting the right clicks. Once you know what’s working, do more of it. If something’s flopping, adjust. No ego, just data.
