The most obvious place to advertise your online business is…online. But for e-commerce brands aiming to cut through the digital noise, offline strategies can be the secret weapon to build brand awareness and trust. 

No matter how big or small your online business is, combining e-commerce advertising with traditional marketing tactics can boost your reach and drive real-world engagement. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about how outdoor advertising and other offline strategies can help your business thrive.

Why Promote an Online Business Offline?

It might sound counter-intuitive to promote your digital brand outside of digital channels, but let’s not forget that everyone who goes online, spends plenty of time offline, too. Offline advertising offers unique advantages for online businesses:

Cut Through the Digital Clutter

Digital advertising saturation is at an all-time high and digital burnout is real. There seems to be endless noise on social media, in the margins of news articles, on search engine results pages… In other words, offline channels offer less crowded spaces to capture attention.

Build Brand Credibility

Physical advertisements suggest legitimacy. A billboard or transit ad signals to consumers that your brand is established and trustworthy. Studies have shown that people tend to trust outdoor ads more than online ads—possibly due in part to the relatively low barrier to entry in the online advertising arena. Anyone can launch an online ad.

Reach Broader Audiences

Offline marketing can reach demographics that digital ads might miss. Online advertising often involves getting specific with your target audience. While this hypercustomization has its draws, it also means that you might unintentionally exclude relevant groups. You’re ultimately missing out on exposure that could make a big difference.

Drive Local Traffic

If you operate an online business but sell products in specific regions, offline ads can target local audiences effectively. Trying to build out your market in a specific geographic area? Outdoor media allows you to get up close and personal—even targeting specific routes.

Now, let’s explore the best outdoor advertising tactics for online business advertising.

1. Invest in Ecommerce Billboard Ads

Billboards aren’t just for fast food, insurance companies, and attorneys. Increasingly, e-commerce brands are embracing ecommerce billboard ads to generate brand awareness and drive traffic to their websites.

Benefits of Billboard Advertising for Online Businesses

• High Visibility: Billboards are seen by thousands of drivers and pedestrians daily.
• Trust and Authority: A massive ad in a high-traffic area immediately signals that your business is serious.
• Geo-Targeting: You can place billboards in areas where your target market lives, shops, or commutes.

When creating your billboard, keep these tips in mind for an effective ad:

• Use large, easy-to-read fonts.
• Include a short, memorable URL.
• Highlight a value proposition (“Shop Exclusive Styles” or “Get Free Shipping!”).
• Add a QR code for easy mobile scanning.

Check out our blog post: “is billboard advertising worth it for small businesses?” for more.

2. Leverage Bus Wraps and Transit Advertising

Public transportation offers prime advertising space. Bus wraps, bus bench ads, and transit shelter posters can put your online business in front of commuters and pedestrians every day. Think of it as immersing your brand in traffic to generate traffic!

Advantages of Transit Advertising for Online Businesses

• Long Viewing Times: People spend minutes (or longer) waiting at bus stops and seeing your ad.
• Citywide Reach: Buses travel through neighborhoods, business districts, and shopping areas.
• Memorability: A bold, creative transit ad can leave a lasting impression.

3. Sponsor Local Events

Local events are one way to get your brand’s boots on the ground. Community events offer excellent opportunities for online business advertising. Sponsorships put your brand front and center while positioning you as a supporter of the community.

Consider sponsoring farmers markets, charity runs, art fairs, local sports teams, the list goes on. You can set up a branded booth, offer samples, or distribute promo cards with a special online discount code. Sponsorship opportunities often come with perks like logo placement on banners, event programs, and event websites—driving both offline and online visibility.

4. Use Posters and Street Furniture Advertising

Posters, kiosks, and street furniture ads (like bus benches and newsstands) offer cost-effective ways to advertise your online business in high-foot-traffic areas.

Advantages include:

• Targeted Placement: Choose locations near shopping centers, colleges, or entertainment venues.
• High Frequency: Daily commuters and pedestrians will see your ad repeatedly.
• Local Awareness: Great for geo-targeting a specific audience.

Make sure your creative is simple and directs people to visit your website or scan a QR code.

Tips for E-Commerce Outdoor Advertising Success

To maximize the effectiveness of your offline advertising, make it as easy as possible for potential customers to transition online.

1. Optimize Landing Pages

If you’re promoting a special offer offline, create dedicated landing pages with matching messaging. Continuity is an important part of building and maintaining a cohesive brand identity. Plus you can better track the ROI of your billboard campaign.

2. Track Offline Campaigns

How can you differentiate site traffic that’s coming from outdoor channels? Use unique URLs, UTM codes, and custom promo codes to measure which offline tactics are driving the most traffic and sales.

3. Encourage Mobile Engagement

Include QR codes or SMS opt-ins to make it easy for customers to engage instantly. Pairing outdoor advertising with a sound online strategy can bolster your overall campaign.

Take Your Online Business Offline

Integrating outdoor advertising into your marketing strategy can set your online business apart. Whether you invest in ecommerce billboard ads, transit advertising, local sponsorships, or street furniture ads, the key is creating real-world touchpoints that leave lasting impressions. By combining the best of both the online and offline world, you can build a stronger, more resilient brand that customers trust and love.

Explore Outdoor Advertising for Your Online Business Today

If you’re serious about scaling your online business offline, Alluvit Media can help. As a leading outdoor advertising agency, we specialize in ecommerce billboard ads, transit advertising, airport advertising, and more. 

Our expert team will help you create high-impact campaigns that reach the right audience at the right time. Not to mention, we offer graphic design services at no additional cost to help ensure that you’re running a campaign that you’re proud to call your own.

Submit an online form to get a custom proposal with outdoor media placements in your target area.