How to Use Social Media to Drive Foot Traffic to Your Business
How to Use Social Media to Drive Foot Traffic to Your Business (Without Doing TikTok Dances… Unless You Want To)
So you’ve got a storefront, a service, or a spot that’s worth visiting, but no one’s walking through the door. Meanwhile, you’re posting on social media like it’s your full-time job, and all you’re hearing is crickets.
We get it. Social media should be driving customers to your business, not just your friends double-tapping your selfie from 3 months ago.
Here’s how to use social media to actually bring people in IRL (in real life), even if you’re not an influencer, a trend-chaser, or someone who says “hashtag” out loud.
1. Show the Vibes, Not Just the Product
People don’t just want to know what you sell, they want to know what it feels like to be there.
Got a cozy coffee shop? Show the comfy corners, the latte foam art, the regular who brings their dog.
Own a bar? Film the DJ setting up, the clink of cocktails, the pool table showdown.
Run a salon? Time-lapse a glow-up transformation and throw in a “You need this” caption.
Make people think: “Ooh, I want to go there.”
2. Use Location Tags Like You Mean It
If you’re not tagging your city, your business, and your actual physical location, you’re missing free traffic.
On Instagram? Tag the city and your business profile in every post and Story.
On TikTok? Mention your area, people love supporting locals.
On Facebook? Join local groups and drop your business without spamming. Add value.
Social media is global. You want to be hyper local.
3. Create “Visit-Worthy” Content
Give people a reason to stop by:
Flash Sales: “20% off for anyone who mentions this post today!”
Exclusive IRL Freebies: “First 10 people to walk in get a free sticker/espresso/shot glass”
Behind-the-Scenes: Let them peek into what makes your spot special
And for the love of social proof, post when customers are there (with permission). Nothing sells like real people enjoying your space.
4. Be Consistent, Not Perfect
You don’t need a ring light, a studio, or a monthly content planner that rivals Vogue.
You just need to:
✅ Post 2–3x a week
✅ Show your space, your team, and your vibe
✅ Use Stories to update people in real time (“We just restocked your fave!”)
✅ Reply to DMs, comments, and even that one person asking if you’re open on Sundays (bless them)
Consistency beats perfection. Every time.
5. Partner With Locals (Aka Social Collabs FTW)
Team up with:
A local foodie page for a feature
An influencer who vibes with your brand (no, they don’t need 100k followers)
Another small biz for a giveaway that requires people to visit in person
Collabs = double the audience, double the fun, and usually double the foot traffic.
6. Turn Online Views Into Real-Life Visits
You’ve got their attention, now give them a CTA they can’t ignore:
➡️ “Stop by today for a surprise treat!”
➡️ “We’re here ‘til 7, come vibe with us.”
➡️ “The patio’s open, the drinks are cold, and we saved you a seat.”
Make it clear, simple, and tempting. You’re not just posting, you’re inviting.
Final Thoughts: From Feed to Feet
Social media isn’t just for likes. It’s for getting actual people through your actual door, spending real money, and having real experiences that keep them coming back.
You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be visible, local, and a little bit clever.
And if keeping up with this still feels overwhelming? That’s where we come in.
We help small businesses like yours build an online presence that actually brings people in. From strategy to content to SEO, we can help!
Let’s make your business the one everyone’s showing up for.
Contact us today!
www.inhousebrandlab.com
@inhousebrandlab by @imsodebs