Running a pet supply store means you’re part of a fast-growing, competitive industry. In fact, spending in the pet industry is expected to increase to 7% in the next five years. Every pet owner is looking for quality products, great deals, and a brand they can trust — but with so many options out there, how do you guarantee your store stands out from the rest?
The answer: digital marketing for pet professionals.
Pet owners are spending more time online. They’re researching products, reading reviews, and looking for brands they connect with. If your store doesn’t show up in those moments, you’re missing out. Digital marketing helps you get in front of the right people, stay relevant, and build trust over time.
Let’s break down nine digital marketing strategies for pet professionals that can help elevate your business and bring you closer to your audience.
Search engines are the first place people go to discover new brands — 33% of shoppers say they find brands they love online. Newsstands are collecting dust, magazines have digital editions, and everything from grocery shopping to unlocking your front door happens digitally. If your pet business hasn’t embraced digital yet, you’re stuck in the stone ages.
In the pet industry, standing still isn’t an option. It’s a competitive space, and digital marketing isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s how you get seen, stay relevant, and truly connect with today’s pet owners.
Here’s why digital marketing matters.
Your pet store has just as much personality as your furry customers, so your digital presence needs to reflect that. Are you all about expert advice? Community events? Adorable pet content that makes people smile? Use your digital channels to show people what you’re all about. When your brand feels genuine, people remember it — and they’re more likely to trust you when they’re ready to buy.
Lately, there’s been a slow-burning distrust of big corporations, and more people are looking to support local businesses. Be the brand that’s top of mind when they decide it’s time to make this switch.
Digital marketing allows you to stop wasting time on people who are never going to walk through your doors. Instead, you can focus on the pet owners who actually need what you sell. You’re not throwing ideas at the wall and hoping it sticks — you’re getting your brand in front of the right people.
When people find your content helpful, they start to see you as a reliable source — not just a store. Sharing simple tips, honest product reviews, or quick how-to videos makes you more than just a business. It makes you a part of their day-to-day pet care routine.
Everything you put out needs to lead somewhere. A helpful blog may bring someone to your website. A promo email can get someone back in the store. Social posts may remind a customer they’re out of treats. A smart digital strategy connects all those moments and helps turn casual clicks into actual purchases.
Digital marketing isn’t a side project. It’s how pet businesses build recognition, create real customer relationships, and keep growing — without relying on word of mouth alone.
Now that we covered the benefits of digital marketing, let’s dive into some actionable strategies you can implement to improve your pet business’ online presence.
Your website needs to work like your best store employee — it has to answer questions, showcase products, and guide customers to checkout without friction. If your online store is confusing, slow, or hard to use on mobile, customers bounce before you even know they’re there.
Make sure your site is organized and mobile-friendly. It’s important to optimize with keywords pet parents are truly searching for — like “natural cat food near me” or “dog grooming in [your city].” A clear homepage, simple navigation, and solid product descriptions go a long way toward turning visitors into buyers.
Related Read: How To Create a Successful Pet Store E-Commerce Website
Most pet owners want convenience. This means they’re Googling phrases like “pet store open now” or “same-day delivery dog food.” If your business isn’t showing up in those searches, you’re missing out.
Claim and update your Google Business Profile, so your hours, address, and contact info are accurate. Add photos of your store and ask your regulars to leave honest reviews. This kind of local optimization makes it easier for nearby customers to discover you when they need something quick.
Email can feel like old-school messaging, but it’s still one of the most effective ways to reach your customers — especially when it doesn’t seem like spam.
Segment your email list, so you’re sending the right messages to the right people. Send a promo on flea meds to your dog owners. Share a coupon for litter to your cat crowd. Remind someone when it’s been a while since they booked grooming or bought that brand of kibble. When your emails feel personal and helpful, people pay attention.
Your social media profiles have to reflect your brand’s vibe and give your audience a reason to engage. Share photos of your customers’ pets and give your followers helpful tips for everything from picky eaters to anxiety relief. You can feature fun, behind-the-scenes moments at your store, too.
Not every post needs to be a direct plug for a product. If your feed becomes all about selling, it can feel like you’re constantly asking for something. Your followers already know you’re a business — they’re following you because they want to connect. By sharing content that’s entertaining or useful, you naturally build trust and loyalty.
When it’s time to showcase a new product, for example, your followers are more likely to engage because they already feel invested in your brand. It’s all about creating a feed that feels like a community rather than a constant sales pitch.
Related Read: How To Leverage Social Media for Pet Stores: 7 Tips
Organic posts can only take you so far. When you need to get the word out — fast — targeted ads do the trick.
Online ads let you zero in on pet owners based on their location, interests, or shopping habits. You can launch a quick campaign for a new product line, promote a flash sale on your most popular treats, or push gift card deals during the holidays.
Remember: Targeted ads come with a cost, and this cost can add up quickly depending on your strategy. Be sure to set daily spending limits to avoid running up a bill that’s higher than what you’re hoping to earn from the ad. Track results in real time and adjust your approach if you’re not getting the return you expect. Ads are an investment, so make sure it’s a smart one.
Related Read: Pet Store Inventory: 4 Key Products To Stock
Want to encourage more people to buy through your site? Give them a reason.
Offer web-only perks like 15% off their first order, free local delivery, or a loyalty discount for newsletter subscribers. Flash sales and timed promotions also work well when you need to move inventory or give online traffic a little boost. Just make sure to promote them in your emails and across social media, so people know what they’re missing.
Over 90% of consumers read and consider reviews before making a purchase. This means reviews are a powerful tool in your digital marketing strategy to build trust and influence potential customers. Don’t hesitate to ask your satisfied customers for feedback. Send review requests through email or SMS — it’s quick, easy, and effective.
Have a less-than-stellar review? This is your chance to address concerns and show you care. Listen to your customers’ advice, and be open to improving. Responding to all reviews — whether good or bad — proves to your customers that you appreciate their input and that you’re always striving to be better.
Sending review requests digitally is also much easier to track, and it’s more convenient for customers. They don’t have to fill out long forms or drop a note in some dusty suggestion box. With just a click from a text or email, you’re more likely to get the feedback you need to help grow your business through digital marketing.
Subscription boxes are an excellent way to provide convenience to your customers, especially to those who can’t make it to your store in person. But beyond being a great service, offering pet subscription boxes is a smart digital marketing strategy that can extend your reach to new customers, even to pet owners outside your local area.
While sending large items like a 50-lb bag of dog food may not be feasible for regular shipping, smaller, curated items are perfect for this model.
You can create subscription boxes that include:
By offering subscription boxes, you’re not only catering to customers who need convenience, but you’re tapping into a broader market. Digital marketing tools make it easy to set up and manage subscription sign-ups on your website or through email campaigns.
These subscriptions can be marketed through social media ads, email promotions, and retargeting campaigns — ensuring that your products are reaching new customers across the country, or even around the world.
Subscription boxes also create recurring revenue and brand loyalty. You can use digital marketing strategies to advertise these services to the right people at the right time. This can help attract a steady stream of customers who prefer the ease of auto-delivery, while boosting your overall sales and brand visibility.
Related Read: 9 Tips for Profitable Pet Subscriptions
Digital marketing isn’t something you “set and forget.” If you’re not checking in on how your pet store is performing, you’re sort of flying blind.
Use tools like Google Analytics or built-in platform insights to see what’s working. Are people clicking through your emails? Are your social posts bringing in traffic? Did that ad actually convert? The more you understand what your customers respond to, the smarter your next move can be.
Effective digital marketing for pet professionals is about understanding your audience, picking the right strategies, and consistently delivering value. But managing all of this while running a pet store can be time-consuming.
That’s where eTailPet comes in. It’s an all-in-one POS system designed specifically for pet store owners to help simplify both your business operations and marketing efforts.
With powerful digital marketing features built into eTailPet, you can automate key tasks, which saves time and boosts your store’s visibility.
Here are a few ways eTailPet helps you grow your business:
And that’s just the beginning — eTailPet offers even more tools to help you optimize your marketing and grow your business.
Schedule a free demo today to see how eTailPet can help you elevate your digital marketing.