Let’s be honest: when most people think about driving traffic, they picture freeway congestion, not homepage clicks. But if you’re running a business in Lincoln, Nebraska, you’re not trying to attract just anyone. You want the folks who live nearby, who can actually walk through your door; not just scroll past your site at 2 a.m. from three states away. The trick isn’t shouting louder; it’s speaking directly to the people who are already listening.
Alright, let’s get into it.
Start with Local SEO, but make it hyper local
Local SEO isn’t just a buzzword your cousin’s marketing friend throws around; it’s the backbone of being found by people in your
area. Google says 46 percent of all searches have local intent. That means nearly half the time someone types something into that little white box, they’re looking for something nearby.
So if you’re a chiropractor in Lincoln, you don’t need to rank for “back pain relief” across the country. You need to show up when someone in South Salt Creek searches “chiropractor near me” from their phone.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Claim your Google Business Profile. Fill it out like it’s a dating profile and you really want to get noticed: accurate name, address, phone number, hours, photos, the works.
- Build pages on your site that speak to specific neighborhoods or services in Lincoln. Use schema markup so search engines actually understand what you’re saying.
- Get listed in real local directories, like the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. And if you can snag a mention on a local blog or news site, even better.
Lincoln’s got influencers too, and they’re more
approachable than you think
You don’t need to hire someone with a million followers in LA to make waves in Lincoln. Micro-influencers, think 3k to 20k followers, often have fiercely loyal audiences; and Lincoln has a surprisingly active crew.
Take @lincolnfoodie, for example. A single post from them about your new brunch menu could bring in more locals than a month of generic ads. Or consider a shoutout in the “Lincoln NE Events” Facebook group. It’s not glamorous, but it’s where people go when they want to know what’s happening this weekend.
These aren’t just one-off traffic boosts. The right partnerships build brand familiarity. And in a town like Lincoln, familiarity still counts for a lot.
Geo-targeted ads: because not everyone needs to see your HVAC promo
If you’re running ads, don’t waste money showing them to someone in Omaha. Geo-targeted advertising lets you narrow your audience by zip code, radius, or even specific neighborhoods. Google Ads and Facebook Ads Manager both make this surprisingly easy.
Let’s say you own a gym near the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. You can set your ads to show only within a two-mile radius, and even tailor the message to students. Or if you’re a roofing company, run ads in neighborhoods with older homes, using phrases like “Serving Lincoln since 1998” to build trust.
Geo-targeting isn’t magic; but it’s close.
Your site needs to work on phones. Like, really work.
Over 63 percent of web traffic in the U.S. comes from mobile devices. That’s not a trend; that’s the norm. And in Lincoln, where people are checking your site while waiting for coffee at Cultiva or standing in line at Runza, a slow site is a lost customer.
You can’t afford to make them wait.
Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to see where your site’s dragging. Compress your images. Use lazy loading so things don’t all try to load at once. And make sure your layout doesn’t fall apart on a budget Android phone. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the kind of detail that pays off.
Local events are traffic magnets, if you use them right
Lincoln isn’t short on events. Between the Nebraska State Fair, the Lincoln Marathon, and Husker football season, there are dozens of chances to create content that people actually search for.
You could write a blog post like “Best Places to Park During Husker Games” or “Top 10 Coffee Shops Near Memorial Stadium.” It doesn’t have to be Pulitzer-worthy; it just has to be useful and timely.
You can also run promotions tied to local events. A downtown boutique offering “20 percent off during Husker Week” isn’t just being festive; they’re being smart.
Google Trends is your friend here. Use it to see what locals are searching for during different times of the year.
Don’t go it alone; partner with other local businesses
Lincoln’s business community is tight-knit, which makes it perfect for cross-promotion. You don’t have to be in the same industry, just complementary.
A wedding photographer could team up with a local florist for a joint giveaway. A gym might partner with a smoothie shop for a “New Year, New You” campaign. These collaborations don’t just bring in traffic; they build backlinks, get shared on social, and make your brand feel more connected to the community.
Honestly, it’s one of the easiest ways to grow without spending a fortune.
Write blog content that actually sounds like it belongs in Lincoln
Yes, content marketing still works. But only if it feels local. A generic article about “how to choose a dentist” won’t do much. But “How Lincoln’s Weather Affects Your Roof” or “Top 5 Co-Working Spaces in Lincoln” might just hit the sweet spot.
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find keywords with local intent and low competition. Then write like a human. If your blog reads like AI wrote it during a coffee crash, people won’t stick around.
Reviews matter more than you think
People trust people. Especially in a town where everyone’s cousin’s friend might already know you. According to BrightLocal, 87 percent of folks read reviews before choosing a local business.
So ask for them. Prompt happy customers to leave reviews on Google or Yelp. Embed those reviews on your site. And respond to every review, good or bad. It shows you’re paying attention; and that goes a long way.