Simple Tourist Marketing Tips for Black Hills Businesses

Tourist Season Traffic: How Black Hills Businesses Can Capture More Visitors Online

Every summer, the Black Hills come alive with travelers exploring our scenic highways, national parks, and charming small towns. From Mount Rushmore to Main Street Deadwood, hundreds of thousands of visitors are searching online for places to eat, shop, and explore — often while they’re already here.

So the big question is: Will they find your business when they search?
Here’s how local Black Hills businesses can capture more tourist season traffic online with simple, strategic digital marketing.

Show Up in the Moments That Matter (Google Maps + Local Search)

Tourists rely heavily on Google Maps when they’re in unfamiliar places. If your business doesn’t show up (or looks incomplete), they’ll move on.

Quick Wins:

1. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile with updated hours, photos, website links, and accurate category tags.
2. Use keywords like “near Mount Rushmore” or “in Keystone” in your profile description.
3. Ask happy customers to leave Google reviews — they matter even more when someone’s choosing between five similar businesses on the map.

Pro Tip:
If you’re a restaurant, boutique, or service business in a high-traffic tourist town like Hill City or Spearfish, your Google Business Profile is just as important as your website during peak season.

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Target What Tourists Are Actually Searching

Tourists don’t Google your business name—they Google what they’re looking to do.

Searches like:

• “Best things to do in Rapid City”
• “Ice cream near Custer”
• “Souvenir shops in the Black Hills”

To show up in those searches, you need content that answers those questions.

Simple ideas:

1. Write a blog post like “Top 5 Things to Do Near [Your Business]”
2. Create a page like “Visit Us During the Sturgis Rally”
3. Add FAQs that include common phrases like “Where to eat after hiking Black Elk Peak”

You’re not just selling a product—you’re selling a Black Hills experience. Speak to that.

Make Your Website Tourist-Ready

Many visitors land on your website for the first time from their phone. Make sure:

1. It loads fast on mobile (3 seconds or less)
2. Your address and directions are easy to find
3. It includes nearby attractions (helps with local SEO and relevance)
4. You highlight seasonal offerings, tour availability, or gift ideas

Don’t make them dig. If they’re standing in front of your store or sitting at a campground, they want quick info now.

Leverage Social Proof That Speaks to Travelers

Tourists trust other tourists.
If you’ve got great Google reviews, TripAdvisor mentions, or Facebook check-ins from visitors, show them off.

Consider adding:

1. A testimonial slider featuring out-of-town customers
2. Photos of happy visitors (especially families or groups)
3. A social media post that says: “Visiting Rapid City? We’re just 5 minutes from downtown. Stop in!”

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Run Targeted Ads for Peak Season

Don’t waste money on broad advertising. Geo-targeted ads on Google or Facebook during peak months can:

1. Drive more foot traffic
2. Promote last-minute specials
3. Highlight location-based offerings (“Open late in Keystone!”)

Even a small budget, paired with smart targeting, can get you in front of tourists looking to spend now.

Final Thoughts

Tourist season in the Black Hills is a golden opportunity. But with so many options, you have to do more than open your doors — you have to make yourself easy to find, easy to trust, and easy to visit online.

Need help getting your website, local listings, or ads ready before the next wave of visitors?
📍 Let SoDak Marketing help you get found where it matters most.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!

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