4 Ways Your Economic Development Can Attract New Business to Its Region

Does your economic development website attract new businesses to your city, generate investor leads, inspire entrepreneurship, and brand your region?

That’s a question every economic development leader and marketing director wants to answer yes to. However, your region could get lost if you have a poorly designed website that doesn’t correctly share the opportunities your area offers and its key industries. Every city wants to attract new businesses and inspire entrepreneurship, so how can you stand out? 

It’s paramount to remember that your website is often the first impression a site selector or business owner will have of your region. A well-designed economic development website can provide potential investors with all the information about your area and help entrepreneurs find the resources they need to start and grow their businesses. Here are four vital factors to consider to attract new businesses to your region.  

Table of Contents

• Share Meaningful Stories
• Generate Investor Leads
• Inspire Entrepreneurship
• Brand Your Region

Share Meaningful Stories

Your region's story is essential to its unique character and industrial makeup, and it's important to share that on your website. This is especially important for site selectors to read when considering moving their business or investing in a particular region. Here are some key topics to highlight on your website on how you can attract new business to your city.

• Tell the stories of your region, what makes it unique, and why investors should invest in your area.
• Highlight the industries in your city and the impact they have on it.
• Show why workers should move their families to your region by highlighting the lifestyle, school and education systems, activities and attractions, and cost of living.
• Use site selection tools and maps to show proper infrastructure, closest airports, and major intersections.
• Share the benefits of your region's tax incentives for businesses.

Generate Investor Leads

Economic development organizations can play a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth in their communities. However, they often face the challenge of generating enough leads from potential investors. By including clear and concise information on your economic development’s website about the benefits of investing in their community, your organization can attract the attention of potential investors. Here are a few other ways to generate investor leads:

1. Provide easy-to-use contact forms.
2. Updating your site with fresh content can encourage potential investors to get in touch and learn more about what they offer. 
3. Publish case studies of successful investments in the community.
4. Share an overview of the community, including its demographics and key industries.
5. Use a directory to show current investors allowing prospects to reach out about questions.

By making the most of their website, economic development organizations can generate the leads they need to help spur economic growth in their community.

Inspire Entrepreneurship

Providing resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs in your region can help turn innovative ideas into successful businesses driving economic growth. By inspiring entrepreneurship, your organization can encourage more people to take the plunge and start their businesses, which can lead to the creation of new jobs and the generation of new wealth. These 6 tips can help your organization utilize its website to inspire those starting new businesses. 

1. Share stories of entrepreneurs who have started businesses in your area and their success.
2. Highlight resources available to small business owners, such as grants, funding, and mentorship programs.
3. Provide tips for starting a business, such as advice on writing a business plan or choosing the proper legal structure.
4. Showcase success stories of businesses starting with limited resources and growing into thriving enterprises.
5. Post articles, on-demand videos, or infographics discussing entrepreneurship's benefits and how it can help drive economic growth.

Brand Your Region

Successfully branding your region is key to attracting new businesses. An effective brand will communicate your region's unique strengths and advantages and resonate with target audiences. Your economic development organization can brand your region by:

1. Using engaging visuals to depict the region, such as images of the landscape, local attractions, and residents.
2. Highlighting unique aspects of the region that make it stand out, such as its history, culture, natural resources, or facts only locals know about.
3. Promoting any annual or upcoming events and festivals in the region.
4. Offering helpful resources for visitors and residents, such as information on local schools, hospitals, and businesses.

If your city or region is looking to improve its economy, it's essential to have an effective economic development website to attract new business. This is your gateway to potential investors and businesses, so make sure it showcases all your city or region offers.

Want to learn more about attracting new business through your economic development website?

Join us for an in-person presentation on this topic at IEDC’s 2022 Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma!

Topic: Attract New Investors and Businesses Through Your Website and Digital Marketing - 立博客户端app下载 Learning Lab

Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 from 7:30 - 8:30 CDT

Speakers: Jeff Kline, President and CEO at 立博客户端app下载 Corporation, and Brad Owens, Senior Solutions Engineer at 立博客户端app下载

Come see us at the exhibit hall! We will be in booths 427 & 429. We look forward to seeing you!

Exhibit booth hours

• Sunday, September 18th: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Monday, September 19th: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 20th: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

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