Written by Katie Waxman on November 20, 2024

Philanthropy can do a lot for your company. The desire to promote the welfare of others with donations has a worthwhile impact on giftees. It also shapes the views of breakroom service customers and potential clients, earning you more loyalty. Employees find it rewarding, too, which leads to better retention. As a whole, it’s why giving back should be part of a successful vending business plan.

Let’s dig deeper into how philanthropy offers advantages to you as a business owner and your community.

Strengthens Current Customer Relationships

When your vending business makes an effort to give back, it’s noticed by your customers. They see how you support the community you serve, and you can convey your values on your About Us page. It also reinforces the relationship you have with them, building trust and customer loyalty.

Philanthropy Reaches Future Clients

Potential customers are seeking breakroom services from someone who knows the community. They want a partner who understands what the locals need and want. Thus, they get the best service for their offices and workplaces.

When you commit to the community, it shows you have an interest. Get involved with local organizations, and share your experience. This is important for key decision-makers when they’re deciding on vending and office coffee services. It also helps with your brand identity.

Boosts Employee Happiness

When your staff works in the community, it’s fulfilling. They get involved locally to do good. That builds strong team bonds and a sense of pride for their employer. You’ll retain more employees, avoiding the cost of hiring and training new staff. Doing good is just as rewarding for you and your staff as it is for those getting the donations.

Don’t overlook how philanthropy will appear to new talent. Showing that your vending company cares about local causes can attract hardworking new hires. They will see yours as a great place to work and want to join your team.

5 Ways Your Vending Company Can Give Back

1. Donate to a Food Bank

Move extra products out of the warehouse and into the food bank. Donate drinks, snacks, or prepared fresh food to help feed your community.

2. Volunteer to Serve Lunch

Contact a local shelter and offer to send volunteers. Your employees would likely love the chance to serve a meal and bond with co-workers.

3. Make a Financial Gift

Monetary donations to a local charity are always appropriate. It’s a great way to support those in need.

4. Sponsor a Local Youth Sports Group

Reach out to your park and recreation center or a sports complex to sponsor a team. It will benefit local youth, which helps strengthen your community. There might also be a chance to get your logo on the team uniform.

5. Collect Items for Needy Families

Whether it’s school supplies in the fall or toys during the holidays, collecting items for families is a great show of support. Put collection bins around your building and outside with a sign so the community can donate too.

Philanthropy Makes Business Sense

Helping others has benefits well beyond the obvious. It builds bonds with customers and shows your values to future clients. Employees feel rewarded and happy, which makes hiring and retention easier. So, whether it’s your time, supplies, or cash, make a local donation. Big or small, it will show you care about building a stronger community.

VendCentral Can Help You Spread the Word

We help vending operators enhance their digital footprint with our Monthly Marketing Programs. Let us build a stunning website for your company or create social selling and custom content that brings brand awareness. Both will drive traffic to your site, reach potential customers, and grow your business. Plus, it can promote all your team’s good deeds. Contact us to learn more!

Written by Katie Waxman on October 30, 2024

Branding is the best way to strengthen your marketing and grow your sales. It is an image that represents your company. A tagline that portrays your services and reputation. That makes it vital to meeting your marketing and sales goals.

Because a brand is so powerful, VendCentral offers our Monthly Marketing Program to help you establish it. The program uses a holistic approach. That means we work with you on your brand identity to capture the essence of your business. The focus is then on a strong, cohesive look across all messaging that grabs the attention of breakroom service decision-makers.

Read on to explore the benefits of branding. Plus, learn what goes into a solid brand identity for refreshment service providers.

What Is Branding?

Vending operators often ask us the question, what is branding? In short, it’s the visuals that speak to the core goals and purpose of your company. From the design of your logo to the fonts on your website, there are many aspects to branding. How do you translate fresh into a color palette? What font exemplifies reliable service? This is why an experienced marketing partner is vital. Marketers know how to use visuals to highlight your sales message, values, and company personality. After all, a brand is how potential clients will identify and remember you for their breakroom business. It needs to be strong.

5 Benefits of Good Branding

Vending operators with solid branding will benefit in many ways. From establishing your identity to stronger marketing in the future, it is key. Here’s how good branding will help grow your business:

1. Stands Out

Your brand should stand out from the competition. It should show the one thing that sets your vending business apart. That will give your company’s brand more meaning and character. This way, clients will understand who you are and why they should choose your team for their needs.

2. Stays Consistent

Branding includes all aspects of your business, starting with your company logo and your tagline. Both need to work together to show the core narrative of your company. These need to be recognizable to clients using any type of digital marketing, from social selling to your website to email campaigns. A good brand identity offers consistency.

3. Builds Credibility

The right branding can build trust in your company. It takes into account your company’s foundation, purpose, and goals. It showcases your strong position in the vending field to instill confidence in potential clients. After all, you want them to see your brand and know you are their best choice for service.

4. Targets the Right Audience

Part of building a strong brand is reaching your target audience. You want to know who they are and what’s important to them. That way, your branding appeals to them, making you the top choice for potential customers. Good branding and custom content will reach those who want your service, and a digital marketing company that knows vending can help you do this.

5. Shapes Marketing

With a solid brand identity, your marketing is more effective. There is a consistent look, feel, and message. Branding is vital to stronger marketing that can boost sales.

Partner with Us

Branding helps operators stand out from the competition, show who they are, target the right people, and build credibility to help drive sales. As your digital marketing partner, we can help you execute your marketing plan using your established branding.

You don’t have to figure out branding alone. VendCentral helps vending operators grow their business with strong branding and marketing. It’s what we’ve been doing for years with great success. Contact us to learn more and how we can help make yours even better!

Written by Katie Waxman on September 23, 2024

We recently sat down with our co-founder and CEO of VendCentral, Neil Swindale, to share his story. Through the years, Neil’s positive attitude and vision reflect everything we do today to help our customers and grow our dynamic team.

Neil’s Early Days

Neil grew up in New Zealand until he was about 19 and then came to the U.S. on a basketball scholarship. “Today, a lot of kids from New Zealand come to America to play basketball, but I was one of the first five to ever come. So, it was kind of a big deal. Everyone thought I was Larry Bird!” Neil laughs.

He played four years of college basketball in the U.S. During that time, he met an American girl, got married, and then they moved back to New Zealand for about eight years, while he was still playing basketball professionally in New Zealand.

In his basketball days, playing as 6′ 6” small forward on various New Zealand semi pro teams and occasionally the New Zealand National team, Neil realized his skill set was versatile. “I wasn’t great at anything. But I was pretty good at most things. I could bring the ball up if the guys needed help. I could shoot threes, I could rebound or play deep, which is funny because it’s sort of what I do now at VendCentral. I bump around and do a whole bunch of stuff.”

Neil moved back to America in his 30s as a young father with two kids. “I never had a job before so I was like, what am I going to do? And, boom, my first job was with Coca-Cola in the vending industry. That was 27 years ago and I’ve never left. The vending industry is all I know.”

With the sales job at Coca-Cola, Neil also realized his knack for sales. “I was good at talking to people. And that all came from basketball.” He says he didn’t realize that all the intangible skills he learned playing sports would translate over to running a business.

He worked for Coca-Cola for about two years as a sales rep to vending companies in the Bay Area, taking orders and helping them with any problems and making sure they all were taken care of. It was then that he became intrigued by the vending world.

“I feel like everyone became my friends. I fell in love with small businesses, and in my whole career, that hasn’t changed. I loved calling on the vending guys.”

Neil went from a Coca-Cola sales rep of the Bay Area, to a position with Pepsi Frito-Lay for northern California for 5.5 years, to a position with Nestle Waters for the entire western United States for another 6 years – still calling on the vending companies and loving the relationships formed along his many routes.

He also started his own small vending company called Pacific Refreshments as a side hustle. “I started putting vending machines around town, and it did very well. I absolutely loved being out in my truck, filling machines, and talking to customers.”

Neil was the first vending company in the Bay Area to build a website for his business, and it was then he asked himself a question: “What if I could become the website guru for the whole vending industry?” He sold his vending company and started building websites for his friends who owned vending companies.

“It started with these one-off websites, and then it parlayed out into full online strategies and social media on an ongoing monthly marketing basis. And here we are today with over 500 websites built!”

Entrepreneurial Eagle Eye

Neil admits he has had a flurry of ideas over the years particularly in New Zealand between seasons as a professional basketball player to keep a few dollars coming in. For example, he started a New Zealand version of the Harlem Globetrotters. “I had a fun basketball team called the Lunchtime All-Stars. And all of us professional basketball players that were available that day would go to the high schools and elementary schools and put on a one-hour basketball show. And it was us professionals versus the high school kids in a showcase with music, mascots, free gifts, and T-shirts, the works!”

Another venture he had, while working for an egg company, he saw an opportunity where he could do a side hustle on the weekend. So, he started buying pallets of small eggs and then selling them at the flea market on the weekends. “Whenever I see an opportunity, I jump on it!” Neil laughs.

His favorite job in his early days? Working as a bellhop after he graduated from high school at a hotel in New Zealand. “I would park their car and take their luggage to the room, and I loved it. I got to talk to a hundred different people every day.”

He also reflects back and adds, “I’ve had some crappy jobs along the way, and I still loved them. I think that’s a theme now that I’m coming up on 60 years old. I can look back and say wow, everything I do, I just loved doing it. And that translates to today. I’ve always had an eagle entrepreneurial eye. And, no matter what I do, I love it.”

He adds, “For me, it’s more resilience and hustle, and I’ve surrounded myself with quite a few bright people these days, and it makes things easier. Now, I can just go and do what I do and then let the brains take over!”

Unwind and Relax

In his spare time, Neil’s favorite way to unwind is hiking. “I like to ‘go into the bush’ because it’s so peaceful, and I can relax.” His favorite places have been hiking trips to Iceland as well as New Zealand. At least a few times a week, he enjoys local spots to hike – to be out in nature.

Neil also enjoys weightlifting regularly. “I think it keeps your brain engaged, and I can do it while I take calls too!”

Family Is Key to Success

Family and friends are one of the keys to his success, Neil shares. “I believe that as you go through life, you’re going to have these big ups and downs, and occasionally life is going to deliver some issues. Having your family and friends there to help you navigate it is so important. A number of friends work within VendCentral. And my best friend from high school is Greg Elisara, co-owner of ZippyAssist. We have been best mates for more than 45 years.” And he values these long-time relationships.

Neil is also proud to have a couple family members on the VendCentral team as well – his son Zack Swindale and daughter-in-law Becca Swindale. His daughter Haley has also been on the VendCentral team.

Positivity and a Growing Dynamic Team

What makes a great team? Neil says, “We can’t go anywhere without an organized team behind us. We try to put a lot of emphasis on everyone – and having fun too. I’ve recognized my strengths and weaknesses, and I rely on our dynamic team. The culture of the company reflects back to our customers as well, and I love that they recognize this.”

He adds: “We want that really special relationship with our customers and the entire industry. And all that positivity, as they say, the universe attracts. That’s just a reflection of lots of years of being really positive. And that positivity means great opportunities are now happening for us.”

Written by Katie Waxman on August 13, 2024

It is vital to include different types of videos on your website. Having them will engage your audience and help draw in potential clients looking for vending services or breakroom refreshment solutions. They can view the videos to get to know you and your company better, which results in more sales.

What kind of video content is best for a vending or micro market operator? As experts in online vending marketing, VendCentral has found three types to be most effective at audience engagement. First is the introduction video, which tells a potential client all about you. The second is the install, whether it’s a micro market or specific new breakroom equipment. The third and final is a video that shares an organized, well-run warehouse.

Read on for an in-depth look at the three types of video. Then use them to engage your potential customers and stand out from your competition.

Introduction Videos

A great introduction video belongs on your home page. It features the owner, manager, or team members of your vending, micro market, or office coffee service company and tells your story. It should explain how the business started and what type of convenience services it offers. The point is to create a valuable, personal connection.

New Vending Equipment or Micro Market

When a new piece of vending equipment arrives, get your phone out and take a short video! Showcasing the latest vending and OCS technology will help you gain an edge. That way, potential customers will see how you are staying ahead.

Installing a new micro market or office pantry is also a great time to take a video. It can show off your new products, equipment, fixtures, shelving, and kiosks. Plus your experienced service technicians will shine. This will give potential clients a better idea of what your company offers. They will also be able to visualize a micro market at their office.

Videos Focused on Your Warehouse and Team

Let your current and potential customers go behind the scenes with a video of your warehouse. This is your chance to reveal an efficient, well-organized space. Show off any automated inventory management solutions or technology you use to fulfill orders. Talk about how it makes vending or micro market orders and delivery of products as error-free as possible. Include the warehouse team and route drivers in the video loading bins or vans. This will allow others to see first-hand the care and attention your team provides.

Partner with Experts in Marketing Videos

Videos can boost engagement. Work on recording these three types with just a smartphone and posting them online. Start with a video talking about your company. Then record a new installation. Third, showcase your warehouse and team. It’s a great way to let potential clients get to know you, so they choose you for all their breakroom service needs.

VendCentral can help you with everything you need – from video production to website development to social media. Our goal is to help you grow your company’s online presence. We can manage your website growth strategy, publish your videos on your website, and optimize your social media with engaging posts that spotlight your videos. Contact us to learn more!

Written by Katie Waxman on July 16, 2024

VendCentral Founder and Spokesperson: Neil Swindale

Is your company’s social media strategy important for your brand? Absolutely.  But your vending company’s brand should have a human face as well, ideally a spokesperson. If you are an owner-operator, your LinkedIn social media account can be a driving force behind your company’s online marketing success.  No one can build trust and relationships better for your company than you! If you are having a hard time getting started, remember these 4 simple tips.

Tip 1: Be Authentic

Your LinkedIn audience wants to see the real you and will connect with your stories.  Share the challenges you are overcoming.  Celebrate the wins (like that new micro-market install!).  Shout out appreciation for long-term employees and express gratitude for loyal customers. Or, explain how something in your personal life is influencing your professional life. No matter what you post, remember your social media platform should always showcase your professionalism and passion for your business.

Royal ReFresh Ryan Harrington Post

Owner-operator Ryan Harrington shares news of Royal Refresh’s latest micro market install

Tip 2: Show Your Expertise

Whether you are adding insight to industry trends, showing excitement for new products, or displaying curiosity and anticipation for new technology, be sure to weigh in on the topics that matter to your industry and customers. It will all show your audience that you are staying in the know on the latest and greatest breakroom products and services. This will build trust and confidence in you AND your company’s brand.

Tip 3: Engage with your Community

Get on LinkedIn and see what other leaders in your community and industry are doing on their social media platforms.  Contribute through likes and comments.   It will grow the awareness of you and your company.  It will also promote goodwill that will inevitably return to you. Take note of how your audience becomes more engaged with your content through comments, shares, or even direct messages.

Tip 4: Build a Bridge

Finally, build a connection between your personal social media platform and your company’s social media platform.  Do this by commenting on your company’s posts and blogs.  Take it a step further by sharing your company’s social media content on your own personal platform and adding your point of view. As your company’s spokesperson, you should be its biggest cheerleader!  Invite your audience to take action, like following your company’s brand page or reaching out for advice on the latest breakroom products and equipment. This connection is an important part of successful social selling and brand growth.

Corporate Coffee Systems David Henchel Post

CEO David Henchel applauds the Corporate Coffee Systems tech team

Getting social on LinkedIn can be intimidating.  But, don’t let your worry over making things look perfect prevent you from making it happen. If you create content that showcases your personality and drive to keep your customers happy you can’t go wrong.  Your content will be a perfect enhancement to your company’s social media marketing strategy.

VendCentral specializes in marketing programs with strong social selling strategies for Operators, Manufacturers, and Suppliers in the Refreshment Services Industry.  Contact us for a free consultation.

Written by Katie Waxman on June 11, 2024

Excitement is in the air as clients embark on one of our Marketing Programs. That’s because they are standing on the launchpad to their online success. Are you thinking about joining one of VendCentral’s Marketing Programs? Here is a look behind the scenes at what you’ll experience as a new monthly marketing client.

Laying the Foundation: Onboarding Like No Other

Right off the bat, we kick things into high gear with a comprehensive onboarding meeting. You’ll meet members of our team, including your dedicated Marketing Account Manager who will be your key partner for success. This initial pow-wow sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of your business’s DNA, from its rich history and unique culture to your exceptional offerings and competitive edge. Come prepared to share your story!

Branding: Your Secret Sauce

We’ll dive into your brand identity to ensure the content we create captures the essence of your business. This includes visual aspects like colors, logos, and fonts. But we don’t stop there – we’ll also delve into the intangible elements, like your company’s personality, communication style, and core values. This holistic approach ensures a cohesive experience for your audience.

Social Media: The Modern-Day Megaphone

While your website is in the works, we’ll set the stage for social media. Your social media platforms will be designed with beautiful custom graphics. We’ll also guide you through tips to optimize your platforms to captivate your online audience. Once your platforms are polished, we’ll publish a steady stream of engaging content on your behalf.

Your Marketing Account Manager: The Maestro

Your Marketing Account Manager orchestrates the symphony of your marketing initiatives. Through regular meetings, they’ll guide you in choosing the areas of focus that will propel your business to new heights. With their insight and strategic expertise, they’ll craft a content strategy that hits all the right notes, while keeping all projects on schedule.

The Showstopper: Your New Website

Prepare to be dazzled as we design and develop a website to help you shine brighter than the competition. Once it meets your approval, we’ll take it live, unleashing its full potential on the digital world. But we’re not done yet, we’ll also develop a website growth strategy and equip your site with a blogging platform, ensuring a steady stream of fresh, engaging content. And let’s not forget those all-important contact forms, making it a breeze for leads to connect with you.

Let’s GROW!

Now that the stage is set, it’s time for the real show to begin. With VendCentral, you’ll have an entire squad of strategists, writers, designers, and developers – all working tirelessly to elevate your brand. Content? We’ll create it in spades, keeping your online presence vibrant and on point.

But what truly sets us apart is the collaborative relationship we forge with our clients. We’re not just an agency; we’re a partner, united by our passion for this incredible industry and a drive to propel your business to new heights. Join us and experience the benefits of a Marketing Program for your business!

Written by Katie Waxman on May 14, 2024

Your vending company’s social media presence has never been more important. It can build brand awareness, reach new audiences, and help your company stay top-of-mind with existing customers. It promotes your vending services, products, and overall brand.

Businesses that maintain a strategic social media presence often have a competitive edge.

But, where does your personal social media account fit in?  And how can you use it to promote your vending brand?

Your personal social media accounts can play a large role in growing your brand – especially if you are an entrepreneur or thought leader in the vending industry.  Your personal social media platform can humanize your business and build genuine relationships with your audience.  It can also help differentiate you from competitors.

Here’s how to use your personal social media platform to promote your vending business:

Integrate your business and personal brand

Incorporate your vending company’s logo, services, and story into your personal profile.  Use your platform to showcase your experience and insight into the vending industry. A behind-the-scenes look into your company will help your audience connect with your brand. If you have a great entrepreneurial story behind your business, don’t be shy about sharing it!

Leverage your network

Your personal network is made up of some of your biggest cheerleaders.  Share your company’s posts to make them aware of the great things your business is doing. Add your own insights to create even more impact. Your network’s likes and comments will help further promote your brand.

Be sure to also watch what industry experts and colleagues are posting about.  Commenting on their posts will display your knowledge and interest in vending services and further promote your business.

Showcase your company culture

We know you are passionate about your business and its success, so let it show! Use your personal platform to give special thanks to hard-working employees and showcase what they are doing to make a difference. If members of your team are giving back to their local community, shine a light on their service to others.  These posts will show your audience that you are a great company to work with AND work for.

A well-managed company social media presence is essential. But, by thoughtfully integrating your business into your personal social media platforms, you can create a powerful, social selling strategy to promote your vending brand.

VendCentral specializes in social media content creation for companies in the vending industry.  Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help grow your business.

Written by Katie Waxman on April 8, 2024

Strong digital marketing tools are important for your vending services business. They can also make your sales team far more effective. Digital marketing influences decision making and attracts and converts leads. That makes them well worth the investment.

Which digital marketing tools are most important for your sales team?  The shortlist is a website, content marketing, and online reviews. Let’s explain why:

3 Vital Digital Marketing Tools

1. A User-Friendly Website

A well-designed website can convert prospects into leads for your sales team. The best websites are SEO optimized to rank higher in search results. This makes it easier for prospects to find you. Once they reach your site, a first impression will either capture their interest or make them click elsewhere. Your website must be visually appealing and easy to navigate on desktops and smartphones. And, nothing turns potential clients off faster than a confusing or slow-to-load site.

Be sure your website is always up to date with the latest information about your products and services. That way it can also serve as a strong reference point for your sales team when they are engaging with a lead.  And be sure to highlight what makes your business unique and ahead of the competition! Tout your strengths and make it easy for your sales team to reinforce why leads should pick you over a competitor.

2. Engaging Content Marketing

It is often said that content is king. And it is indeed an essential digital marketing tool. To make sure your content supports your sales goals, you need a strategy. It helps ensure all content forms, from blogs to emails, will have an engaging message.

Through content, your sales team can engage prospects easily. They’ll also stay connected with existing customers and make them aware of upgrade opportunities. Publish and share content regularly to reinforce your company’s expertise. Keep readers in the know about trending products, services, and equipment. Use content to highlight seasonal promotions, build client trust, or start a dialogue. Creating content your sales team can access and share will help them network and grow sales.

3. Online Reviews

Sales become easy when your current clients help build trust in your company. That is why online reviews and testimonials are so valuable. Asking your customers to provide a few kind words about your business goes a long way.

Google and Facebook are great places to gain reviews. Make it simple for happy customers to provide a review by sending them your review link. If you get verbal or emailed praise from a client, ask if you can share it on your website. The answer will most likely be yes!

Reviews are powerful influencers. When your company can show a standard of great service, your sales team will find closing deals is much easier. That’s the value of reviews.

Digital Marketing Tools Make Sales Easier

With the right digital marketing tools at your sales team’s fingertips, success becomes easier to achieve. Start with a user-friendly website and strong content marketing. Then make sure customers are singing your praises online. These are tools your sales force can rely on to find leads and close deals.

VendCentral has a toolbox filled with strong digital marketing materials to grow your vending business. Reach out today to gain leads and grow profits.

Written by Katie Waxman on March 18, 2024

Landing pages support and enhance your vending website. How? By diving deeper into the services you offer. The content on landing pages is targeted towards specific audiences and filled with SEO-boosting keywords. These pages are super useful for social media posts and emails too.

Understanding the benefits will help you maximize their power. Then, you can grow your vending website with pages that are designed to showcase your specific strengths and attract and convert leads. Here’s where to start:

Use Landing Pages for Targeted Messaging

Your vending website’s homepage gives a high-level view of your business and what it offers. In contrast, landing pages are more detailed and specific. For example, the benefits of installing a micro-market would make a great landing page. It’s focused on one topic, has a strong keyword for SEO, and is helpful to targeted clients.

The precise content helps convert viewers to clients by addressing specific questions and showing expertise around a particular topic. They also provide your sales team in the field with detailed support materials when they need them. Plus, regularly adding new pages lets your website stay fresh and relevant.

Landing Pages are Rich in Keywords

Adding landing pages to your website can also improve SEO. Since these pages are more detailed, they are an ideal place to focus on the industry keywords often used in organic searches. This increases the chances of prospects finding your business when they are looking for vending services. Bonus tip: use a combination of keywords and local SEO to attract the right audience.

Share Pages Via Social Media and Email

Landing pages are a must in any marketing plan. They can be shared in the social media posts and email campaigns you create for certain audiences. When readers click, they arrive at a page filled with useful information specific to their needs. This increases the likelihood of converting them into a client.

Make your Website a Better Sales Tool

In closing, landing pages offer many benefits to your business online. They are a way to promote specific services, cater to targeted audiences, boost SEO, and convert leads. In addition, they keep your website up-to-date and appealing to readers. That makes these web pages a valuable part of your website growth plan.

For help with your vending website and comprehensive marketing services, contact VendCentral. We specialize in digital sales and marketing for clients in the refreshment services industry.

Written by Katie Waxman on February 20, 2024

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a term you’ve likely heard before. It can be quite helpful to vending businesses looking to grow their client base as it gets their name higher on internet search results. Local SEO is a more specific type of SEO. It lets a company boost its ranking in a specific geographical area. Vending companies that maximize local SEO stand a better chance of attracting the right local audience. This can ultimately lead to new clients and more sales.

How does local SEO work? Keep reading to find out the ins and outs of local SEO as well as how you can enhance yours.

Local SEO is Vital to Break Room Service Providers

Vending, micro-market, and office coffee service providers often cater to specific service areas. Therefore, they want to focus on SEO results for those geographic locations. This is where local SEO comes in. Tailoring your online content to maximize keywords that are hyper-focused on city names, local area nicknames, and other local jargon will help improve your local SEO.

While local keywords have always been important for vending website SEO, there is even more urgency now. Google reports that more people are using keywords like “near me” than ever before. In two years, that query has risen 200%. If your local SEO isn’t optimized, you could be missing out.

4 Tips to Improve Local SEO

1. Include Your Address

There are several ways to optimize your website for local search. The first is to include your address. Search engines use this to decide if you are “near” someone using the search term “near me.”

Some operators don’t want to include their company’s physical address for personal or privacy reasons. But the benefits outweigh the risk of a client dropping by. Besides, having an address makes your company look more professional and trustworthy.

2. Pair City Names and Services

A second way to boost local SEO is to use local keywords in your website text. This means including city names as often as logical. Be careful not to over-stuff your site.  This could actually have a negative effect and lower your ranking. The rule of thumb is if the text reads well, you should be okay with the number of keywords.

Tip: It’s best to pair local keywords with the names of services your customers are searching for. For example, write about your reliable “CITY vending machines” to help connect your company with those searching for vending machines in your “CITY”.

3. Add Local SEO to Blogs

Third, write blogs and publish them on your social media platforms. Blogs are a great way to add content that is recognized by search engines. Highlighting local search terms throughout your blogs will boost your rankings for these keywords.

Be sure your blog includes backlinks to your website too. When readers click on your blog’s backlinks they will go directly to your website and discover more relevant content for their local area.

4. Consider Multiple, Local Landing Pages

Finally, get in the mind of someone searching for your services. If they want vending in a certain city and click through to your website, will they see that city named? Will there at least be a nearby city or region that tells them you service their area? This is what the user expects.

Some vending operators have multiple locations that aren’t close to each other. In this case, the operator might want to have a different website landing page for each location. That way, each page can contain words with a local focus that makes sense to the person searching. You’ll get a better sales lead this way, too.

Don’t Forget a Google Business Listing

A Google Business Listing will benefit your local SEO. How? Google Business Listings display prominently on Google search.  Plus, Google uses it to understand where your company is located. This allows it to show your company in a list of appropriate results for a “near me” or “city” search.

Ensure your Google Business Listing is complete and promotes your company and its services. It should contain a clear description of your offerings. Be sure the hours of operation and physical address of your workplace are current. Remember, your address also boosts your local SEO. You will also want to include photos of your services and company in your listing. This will help you make a personal connection and seem more attractive to someone searching for your services.

Tip: Encourage your local customers to provide reviews on your Google Business Listing. This validates your services in the eyes of potential clients. And be sure to respond to the reviews. This will show your company cares about providing great customer service and values customer feedback.

Optimize Your Website with More Local SEO Keywords

Strong local SEO is vital to vending companies. Utilizing keywords that reflect the city and regions you service, including your address on your website, and optimizing your Googe Business Listing will help you attract the right clients in the right service areas. Simply put, it will make your business easier to find when a client types in “vending near me.”

For more information about vending marketing, reach out to VendCentral. We offer digital sales and marketing services and specialize in top-notch local SEO for vending operators.