Print marketing has been declared “dead” for almost a decade now. And yet, here we are, still scanning QR codes on menus, flyers, postcards, and event signage without a second thought. In fact, we still get a handful of requests a week for new business cards, discount flyers, QR code stickers… the list goes on. The truth is simple. Print is not competing with digital marketing. It is simply its offline counterpart, helping it work better for local SEO and giving your brand local visibility.
When done correctly, physical marketing materials can support local SEO by encouraging searches, driving website traffic, generating reviews, and reinforcing brand consistency across channels. That offline to online connection is exactly what search engines pay attention to.
How Print Marketing Supports Local SEO
Before we can talk about how print work helps local SEO, we need to know exactly what that means. Local SEO can simply be defined as the optimization of your business online so it appears in local search results when locals are searching near your physical location.
According to some online marketing hubs, businesses that integrate print materials with digital elements such as QR codes and review prompts see stronger engagement and improved local visibility. That may seem obvious, right? Handing out physical marketing flyers to local people help with your local traffic. And yeah, that’s kind of the point! And more local people looking up your business, the more Google realizes that locals actually like your business.
In short, print does not rank your website, but it influences the actions that do.
QR Codes and Smart Print Integration
QR codes are so much more common than they were just a few years ago. It’s like Red Hot, people are putting that s*** on everything. They are now an expected convenience. When placed on printed materials, they act as a direct link from your local offline engagement to your online activity.
Effective uses include:
- Linking directly to a Google review page
- Sending users to a locally optimized landing page
- Promoting social media interactions and impressions
- Encouraging email sign ups or appointment bookings
Each scan creates measurable traffic and reinforces your business relevance in a specific geographic area. And we know that Google likes that kind of behavior.
Using Local Keywords Offline
Most businesses think of keywords as a website only concern. That is a missed opportunity.
Using the same local language on print materials that you use online creates consistency. When someone sees a phrase like “Myrtle Beach commercial HVAC services” on a postcard or flyer, it often prompts a branded or local search later.
If your potential customer already knows you’re a local business based on that flyer they saw, or billboard they passed, they’re more likely to look into you later. That search behavior supports your local SEO efforts, especially when your website is already optimized for those terms.
Print Marketing Trends That Are Actually Working
Brochures you find in the back corner of hotels and flyers on the bathroom stall walls are kind of out. However, there are some cool new ideas that are definitely trending, especially here in Myrtle Beach. Some less obvious print strategies gaining traction include:
- Stickers with QR codes placed in high traffic local businesses
- Table cards at events or restaurants prompting reviews or scans
- Window decals featuring short URLs or review prompts
- Direct mail with personalized messaging tied to neighborhoods or service areas
- Printed inserts included with receipts or service paperwork
These formats feel intentional and interactive. Plus, a lot of these are placed in places where they cannot be ignored, encouraging interaction from potential customers.
Reviews Still Matter
Reviews remain one of the strongest local ranking factors that are easy to encourage. Most businesses focus on email follow-ups to get those reviews, but a new trend of giving people a direct route to write one is growing.
Print offers a more natural moment. A simple card or flyer that says “Scan here to leave us a Google review” catches people when the experience is fresh. Plus, how many times do you actually open those emails from companies? Be honest!
More reviews, better ratings, and consistent responses all contribute to stronger local search performance.
Boost Your Local SEO with Three Ring Focus
Print marketing use to be a throwaway tactic. And while, yes, some print marketing is dead, it can still be transformed to work just as well as before. When print encourages searches, drives traffic, and generates reviews, it directly supports local SEO.
If you want your marketing to work together instead of in silos, it is time to stop choosing between online and offline. We help small businesses around the Grand Strand clean up their social media, sharpen their marketing strategy, and keep their websites as polished as their feeds. Whether you need a full content plan, analytics tracking, or a complete site overhaul, we’ve got the tools to get you back on track. Check out of some the work we’ve done for a little sneak peek. Don’t miss out on the benefits of having an expertly crafted branding identity.