What Goes Into Making Ad Pages Magazine?
See How It's MadeBecause throwing ads into the void isn’t a strategy
Most local businesses have two problems:
- They want more leads.
- They don’t actually have a system for turning interest into sales.
They’ve tried boosting posts, buying leads, or running print ads here and there—but nothing sticks. The issue? No funnel. No follow-up. No structure.
Let’s fix that.
What Is a Marketing Funnel (and Why Do You Need One)?
At its core, a marketing funnel is just a process that takes someone from “never heard of you” to “loyal customer.”
For local businesses, the funnel doesn’t need to be complicated—but it does need to be intentional. Here’s what a simple but effective local funnel looks like:
✅ Stage 1: Awareness (Get Seen)
This is where you show up where your audience already is:
- Magazine ads or direct mail (like Ad Pages)
- Google Search (via Local Services Ads, SEO, or PPC)
- Social media posts or ads
- Community platforms like Nextdoor
At this stage, people aren’t ready to buy—they’re just noticing. So your message should focus on:
- Your offer or value prop
- Your credibility (reviews, years in business, certifications)
- Simple branding (logo, tagline, contact info)
✅ Stage 2: Interest (Make Them Care)
Once they’ve seen you, make it easy to learn more. That means:
- A mobile-friendly landing page or website
- Clear service descriptions
- Social proof (reviews, testimonials, case studies)
- An email or SMS opt-in with value (like a discount or free estimate)
Don’t just link to your homepage and hope for the best. Create content that speaks to their needs—not just your business.
🔗 According to a 2024 Forbes article, one of the biggest mistakes small businesses make is failing to build around the customer journey. In other words: they’re spending money on ads without creating any structure to follow up, educate, or convert.
✅ Stage 3: Conversion (Make It Easy to Act)
You’ve gotten their attention. They clicked. Now what?
To convert, your funnel needs:
- Clear CTAs (“Schedule Now”, “Get a Free Estimate”)
- Fast load times (under 3 seconds—yes, it matters)
- Easy contact options (tap-to-call, short forms, click-to-text)
- Follow-up: autoresponders, confirmation texts, next steps
If you’re combining print and digital, use QR codes or custom URLs that go to landing pages, not your generic homepage.
✅ Stage 4: Follow-Up & Nurture (Most Businesses Skip This)
Only 2–3% of people are ready to buy right now. What about the other 97%?
That’s where email, SMS, and retargeting come in:
- Send follow-up messages
- Offer a time-sensitive discount
- Share helpful tips or seasonal promos
- Run retargeting ads to people who visited but didn’t convert
If you’ve ever said “I just want to stay top of mind,” this is how you do it.
✅ Stage 5: Repeat & Referral (Where the Profit Happens)
Once you’ve earned a customer, maximize that relationship:
- Ask for a Google review
- Offer a referral incentive
- Send a follow-up coupon
- Run a reactivation campaign after 3 or 6 months
Marketing doesn’t end after the sale. That’s where the next sale starts.
Need Help Building a Funnel That Works?
That’s exactly what we do.
At Ad Pages Solutions, we help local businesses create print + digital strategies that are structured, trackable, and built to convert—whether you’re running Google Ads, mailing coupons, or looking to grow your customer base consistently.
We don’t believe in guesswork. We believe in systems.
TL;DR (Because You’re Busy)
- A funnel isn’t just ads—it’s a full path with next steps.
- Use a mix of awareness, interest, and conversion tools.
- Follow up with email, SMS, or retargeting.
- Don’t let leads fall through the cracks.
- Build for the full journey, not just the first click.
If your current strategy feels more like hope than a plan, reach out to our team and we’ll help you map it out.
