Winston–Salem: home of Moravian cookies, a surprisingly vibrant jazz scene, and an even more surprising number of people Googling “HVAC repair near me” at 2 a.m. If you’re running a business here, you already know the charm’s real; but charm alone won’t get you traffic. You need strategy, local know-how, and a few digital tricks that actually work.
Let’s talk about how to get more eyes on your website without burning through your budget or your patience.
Start with Local SEO. Winston–Salem isn’t Charlotte, and that matters.
Local SEO isn’t optional; it’s the front door to your business. According to Google, 76% of people who search for something nearby on their phone visit a business within a day. And nearly a third of those searches lead to a purchase. That’s not a stat, that’s a funnel with legs.
So what do you do with that?
First, claim your Google Business Profile. Triple-check your NAP—name, address, phone number—and make sure it matches everywhere. Then, sprinkle in some Winston–Salem-specific keywords. Not just “bakery near me,” but “bakery in Ardmore Winston–Salem.” Specificity wins.
And don’t skip local directories. The Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and Triad Local First are both solid places to build citations and credibility.
Content that actually sounds like it lives here
Here’s the thing: generic blog posts are like lukewarm coffee. Technically fine, but no one’s excited about it. If your content doesn’t sound like it belongs in Winston–Salem, your audience won’t either.
Write about what people care about here. Think “Top 5 Coffee Shops in Winston–Salem to Work Remotely” or “How Winston–Salem’s Real Estate Market Is Driving Home Services Demand.” That kind of content doesn’t just get clicks; it gets bookmarked.
Need help figuring out what locals are searching for? Google Trends and AnswerThePublic can point you in the right direction.
Influencers: more than skincare and protein shakes
Winston–Salem’s got a low-key but lively micro-influencer scene. Foodies, runners, lifestyle bloggers—they’re out there, and their audiences are loyal.
Use platforms like Upfluence or Heepsy to find creators with real engagement, not just inflated follower counts. And when you partner with them, make sure they’re linking back to your site. Blog mentions, YouTube descriptions, even a well-placed link in an Instagram bio can drive serious traffic.
Events are fun. They’re also SEO gold.
If you’re sponsoring or attending local events—say, RiverRun International Film Festival or the Downtown Jazz series—don’t just show up. Build a landing page. “Visit Us at RiverRun 2024 – Booth #12” is a real page people can find, share, and click through.
That kind of event-based SEO works because people are searching for those events. Plus, you’ll often get backlinks from event organizers and local media, which helps your domain authority.
Geo-fencing: a fancy name for smart targeting
Geo-fencing lets you show ads to people in a specific area, like Innovation Quarter or the Wake Forest campus. It’s not magic, but it’s close.
Platforms like Simpli.fi and GroundTruth let you set a digital perimeter and serve ads to anyone walking through it. Combine that with retargeting, and you’ve got a setup that brings people back to your site again and again.
Facebook Groups and Reddit: the digital town square
You’d be surprised how much traffic you can drive from a
well-placed comment in a local Facebook group. Groups like
“Winston–Salem Small Business Owners” are full of people asking questions, giving referrals, and looking for real recommendations.
Reddit’s r/Greensboro may not be Winston–Salem-specific, but it often includes regional chatter. Just remember: don’t spam. Be helpful. Add value. If people trust you, they’ll click through.
Cross-promotion: the old-school trick that still works
You know who else wants more traffic? Every other small business in town. So why not team up?
A gym and a nutritionist. A florist and a wedding planner. A dog groomer and a pet photographer. Co-author a blog post, host a webinar, or run a giveaway together. Link to each other’s sites. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it builds backlinks while you’re at it.
PPC campaigns with a local accent
Running Google Ads or Bing Ads? Good. Now make them sound like they belong here.
Target keywords like “plumber Winston–Salem NC” or “best brunch Winston–Salem.” Set your geo-targeting to Forsyth County. And don’t be afraid to get specific with your ad copy—mention neighborhoods like Ardmore or Buena Vista. Use callout extensions like “Locally Owned Since 2010” or “Serving West End Families.”
That kind of specificity builds trust before anyone even clicks.
Local press: still relevant, still powerful
Getting featured in the Winston–Salem Journal or Yes! Weekly isn’t just good PR; it’s good SEO. A single article can drive a wave of traffic and give you a backlink from a high-authority domain.
Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to pitch your story to journalists looking for sources. New product? Community initiative? Milestone? Pitch it.
Measure what matters. Fix what doesn’t.
All of this only works if you’re tracking it. Use Google Analytics 4 and Search Console to see where your traffic’s coming from. Segment by location to see how Winston–Salem-specific efforts are working.
Then test. A/B test your headlines, your landing pages, even your CTAs. Tools like Hotjar can show you how people move through your site, while SEMrush and Ahrefs can help track your keyword rankings and backlinks.
And remember: traffic’s good. But conversions are better. Keep your eyes on both.
That’s the view from the ground.
We’ll be back soon with more real-world insights.
Until then, keep building.
– Perfect Sites Blog