Tourist season is over across the Topsail Area. Here’s how both mainland businesses on the US-17 corridor and island shops/services can stay visible this fall and winter – and why doing it now sets you up for a stronger 2026 seasonal push.
Table of Contents
- The Post-Season Reality: Mainland vs. Island
- Why Google Reviews Matter (Especially Now)
- Refresh Your Google Business Profile in 15 Minutes
- Mainland Playbook: Stay Chosen Despite US-17 Gridlock
- Island Playbook: Right-Size Without Disappearing
- How to Ask for Reviews (Without Feeling Pushy)
- Reply Templates That Build Trust
- Simple Email & SMS Plays for Locals
- Partner Up: Micro Co-Ops With Neighbors
- What to Track Now to Win Early 2026
- 30-Minute Post-Season Checklist
The Post-Season Reality: Mainland vs. Island
Mainland (US-17): You’re still seeing traffic and drive-time hesitation. People will choose the easiest stop they can spot and trust. Clear wayfinding, accurate online info, and quick “order-ahead” options help you win impulse decisions.
Island: Foot traffic drops mid-week. Reducing hours or staffing may make sense – but you still need to look “open, active, and reliable” online. The goal is to tighten operations without disappearing from search or the community’s routine.
Why Google Reviews Matter (Especially Now)
Off-season shoppers discover and choose businesses the same way locals do year-round: search + reviews. Reviews do two jobs:
- Get you seen: A steady flow of recent reviews helps your profile appear more often for category and “near me” searches.
- Get you chosen: Fresh, specific comments reassure people you’re active, consistent, and worth the trip.
Why start now? Off-season is the easiest time to build a review habit. If you add just 3 reviews a week for 20 weeks, that’s ~60 new reviews before spring 2026 – stronger map visibility and higher conversion when competition returns.
Refresh Your Google Business Profile in 15 Minutes
- Confirm fall/winter hours and add holiday exceptions now.
- Post an update: “Locals: shorter lines + fall hours. Order ahead / curbside available.” Include a recent photo.
- Add 3–5 Products/Services with prices. Pin your highest-margin option.
- Attributes: call out what locals care about (wheelchair accessible, outdoor seating, family friendly, military discount).
- Check your map pin accuracy – driveway entrances matter along US-17, especially with all of the ongoing bypass construction.
Mainland Playbook: Stay Chosen Despite US-17 Gridlock
- Be the easy stop: Add a clear driveway/parking arrow and a simple “Open – Fall Hours” door sign. Use large, plain text.
- Order-ahead wins: Promote call-in or online ordering with a pinned website banner and one GBP post each week.
- Time-saver messaging: “In-and-out in 10 minutes,” “Curbside pickup,” “Call when you park.” Put this phrasing in GBP, your homepage, and social.
- Micro-bundles for commuters: Ready-to-go combos (meals, gifting, supplies) designed for quick turnarounds.
- UTM tags: Tag “Order Now” buttons from profiles so you can see what actually drives sales.
Island Playbook: Right-Size Without Disappearing
- Be predictable: If you reduce days/hours, set them for the season and publish everywhere (site, GBP, Apple Maps, Facebook, Bing Places).
- Mid-week anchors: Pick the slowest night for a locals-only special or partner event. Consistency beats one-off blasts.
- Keep the lights on online: One weekly GBP post and two short reels (new arrivals, prep, before/after) signal you’re active.
- Prepaid “Locals Pass”: Gift cards or class packs to smooth cash flow (e.g., 5 coffees + 1 free; 10-class winter pack).
- Lean staffing, clear service: Post “order-ahead preferred” or “pickup ready in 15” to set expectations and reduce queue friction.
How to Ask for Reviews (Without Feeling Pushy)
People say yes when it’s easy and specific. Use one small sign at checkout and a short follow-up message the same day.
Checkout tent card:
“Happy with today’s visit? A quick Google review helps neighbors find us this fall. Scan & tell us what we did well.”
SMS/Email prompt (copy-paste):
“Thanks for stopping in today! If we earned it, a quick Google review helps locals find us this fall: [short review link]. What did we do well?”
Tip: Ask for specifics – wait time, favorite item, easy parking. Specifics create helpful keywords in reviews and improve conversions.
Reply Templates That Build Trust
Positive (quick):
“Thank you, [Name]! Glad the [item/service] hit the mark. We’re here all fall – shorter lines and easy parking. See you soon.”
Mixed (fix + invite):
“Appreciate the feedback, [Name]. We’re adjusting [issue] this week. If you’re open, reply or call [number] so we can make it right.”
Negative (calm + action):
“Sorry we missed the mark for you, [Name]. We’ve reviewed this with the team and changed [process]. Please call [number] and ask for [owner/manager] so we can fix it directly.”
Tip: Reply within 24–48 hours. Your response is for the next shopper as much as the reviewer.
Simple Email & SMS Plays for Locals
- Welcome back, locals: what’s new, fall hours, and a “locals bundle” (add value, don’t just discount).
- Rainy-day plan: order-ahead, curbside, family packs. Keep one photo ready to reuse.
- Locals’ Night: pick a slow weeknight and pair with a neighbor for a cross-promo.
Subject starters: “Shorter lines, same favorites” • “Rainy-day dinner – done” • “Locals’ Night this Wednesday”
Partner Up: Micro Co-Ops With Neighbors
- Create a stamp card across 3–5 nearby shops. One purchase at each = a small perk.
- Swap one shelf/flyer each and tag each other weekly on social.
- Build a shared Google Map (“Topsail Locals Loop”) and link it from each profile.
What to Track Now to Win Early 2026
- Reviews per week: aim for 2–5 steady, specific reviews.
- Profile actions: calls, website clicks, and “directions” from your Google Business Profile.
- Order-ahead/call-in: track volumes on rainy/windy days vs. clear days.
- Email list growth: even 10–20 signups/week compounds through winter.
- Returning customers: note repeats via POS tags or simple punch cards.
Goal: Build reliable local demand now so when visitors return in 2026, you’re already ranking, trusted, and busy.
30-Minute Post-Season Checklist
- Update GBP hours, post one fall update, add 3 Products/Services.
- Print a review QR tent card; schedule one SMS/email prompt.
- Create one “locals bundle” and add it to your homepage.
- Plan a weekly partner post with a neighboring business.
- Mainland: add driveway/parking arrow; Island: set and publish consistent reduced hours.
