Businesses in Vermont, from a family-owned ski shop in Brattleboro to a craft brewery in Burlington, are discovering the power of digital marketing.
Relying solely on the local newspaper and radio is no longer enough to stay competitive—digital strategies are essential for reaching more customers and growing your business.
Here are three proven digital strategies that will make a difference for Vermont businesses in 2026.
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Location Pages: Show Up Where It Matters Most
Location pages are crucial for businesses that want to dominate local search results in specific areas. By creating dedicated pages for different towns, cities, or regions within Vermont, you can better target potential customers in those areas.
For example, a ski shop in Stowe, VT, could create a page for “Stowe Ski Equipment” to capture local searches from people looking for ski gear.
Similarly, a pest control service in Burlington, VT, might have a page titled “Pest Control in Burlington” to target people searching for pest solutions specifically in that city.
Optimizing these location pages with relevant keywords like “best ski rentals in Stowe” or “roofing services in Brattleboro” helps improve your chances of ranking high in Google’s local search results, such as the Google Local Pack.
These pages should include location-specific content, customer testimonials, and relevant services tailored to that area.
Why It’s Important:
- Increased Local Visibility: Location pages help your business appear in local search results, including Google’s Local Pack, where potential customers are most likely to find you.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Customers tend to trust businesses that appear to be local, so having pages specific to places like Burlington, Montpelier, or Rutland boosts your credibility and relevance.
- Better SEO for Multiple Areas: If your business serves different towns within Vermont, creating location pages for each helps improve rankings across the state. For example, you can have pages optimized for “Tree Removal in Brattleboro” or “Window Cleaning in Middlebury”, increasing your chances of appearing in the top results for those areas.
By targeting Vermont-specific keywords and creating optimized content for each location, businesses can attract more local traffic and convert visitors into customers.
2. First-Party Data: Power Your Ads with What You Know
To make your local advertising more effective and stop wasting money, here’s a strategy you need to try. Programmatic advertising lets you target the people who are most likely to be interested in your business—right here in Vermont. Here’s how it works:
- Use your own customer data: Instead of relying on broad, lookalike audiences, programmatic advertising uses your real customer data—like who’s already bought from you or interacted with your business—to make sure your ads reach the right people.
- Target with precision: Show ads to people who are genuinely interested in what you offer, reducing waste on ads that don’t convert.
- Increase efficiency: With first-party data driving your ads, you’ll see better results, with less money spent on irrelevant views.
By 2026, it’s expected that nearly 90% of all digital ads will be managed this way. It’s becoming the standard in digital advertising, and if you want to stay competitive, it’s time to get on board.
3. Authentic narrative + High-Value Local Content
As automation and AI become more common, the value of genuinely human content rises. Audiences are moving away from “generic” or purely commercial messages. In 2025 and beyond, differentiation will come from how authentic and relevant your brand’s voice feels.
For Vermont businesses, here’s how to stand out:
- Create content that speaks to Vermont’s unique identity: For example, a family-owned farm in Brattleboro could share a story about how their apples are harvested in the fall, highlighting the local landscape and the impact of Vermont’s seasonal changes. Similarly, a bike shop in Stowe could feature stories of local cyclists taking on the Green Mountain Trails, showcasing the community’s love for the outdoors.
- Incorporate user-generated content (UGC) or local micro-influencers: Feature real customers from Rutland or Montpelier using your products in everyday settings. Share their testimonials or video reviews, showing the real-life impact of your services and products.
- Distribute content consistently: Whether it’s through a blog, newsletter, or social media, make sure the content resonates with local interests. Optimize it for SEO to attract those searching for local events, products, or services.
Essential Tips to Prepare Your Vermont Marketing for 2026
- Start with Location Pages: Create dedicated pages for each location you serve in Vermont, using keywords that are specific to each town or city. For example, if you’re a bike shop, target terms like “Bike Rentals in Burlington, VT” or “Ski Equipment in Stowe, VT.”
- Leverage First-Party Data: Begin collecting and organizing customer data from your website, social media, or in-store interactions. Use this data to fuel your programmatic ads, ensuring you’re targeting real, local customers rather than lookalike audiences.
- Produce Authentic, Local Content: Share stories that reflect Vermont’s unique culture—whether it’s about local farmers, community events, or your role in the area. Encourage customers to share their experiences with your business and feature them as user-generated content (UGC) on your social channels.
- Optimize for SEO + Social Media: Consistently post optimized content—such as blog posts, videos, and social media updates—that speaks to local interests and connects to your business’s values. Make sure to use local hashtags and geo-tags to increase reach within your community.
- Measure & Adjust: Track the performance of your content and ads, focusing on what generates the most engagement, trust, and shares. Use these insights to refine your approach, ensuring your efforts resonate with Vermont customers.
By focusing on these steps, you’ll be able to create a more targeted, efficient marketing strategy that not only attracts local customers but also builds lasting relationships within your community.
Now, it’s essential to have specialized external support. If your goal is to increase your company’s online visibility and develop advanced marketing strategies, having a Vermont digital marketing agency that combines local knowledge with modern expertise is the best option.
