Confused and Frustrated Over Online Marketing?
Even in today’s fast growing digital world, it’s extremely common for small business owners to neglect their company website and avoid any online marketing. Many small business owners believe that online marketing is useless and a waste of their limited budget.Since online marketing involves multiple platforms, tools, and strategies, it takes education and training to understand it’s full value. Read our online marketing tips to learn how to take your business digital and invest in an effective marketing campaign.
7 Online Marketing Tips for Small Business
1. Your website should work for you.
People generally expect your business to have a website, period. If you cannot be verified online individuals doubt your legitimacy. When potential consumers hear about a new business, the first thing they do is look it for its website and social media accounts. They might plug the address into their smartphone and use Google maps to get directions. Don’t waste your time and money on a website that sits in the dark corners of the web offering no functionality. If your website and/or online presence is outdated, lacks visibility or has no clear message, it’s not working for you.
2. Identify Potential Customers’ Needs and Fulfill Them
The more you learn about others the more you will be able to identify their needs and wants. Knowing what makes people tick will help you support them easily and help you know when you can provide the solution they need. When consumers are looking at your business online they need to know two things right away – What problems does your business solve and what does your business sell? Let people know that you can provide a solution to their problems and you are already on your way to gaining a new potential client base.
3. Implement Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Before you consider SEO tactics and keywords you need to research your brand’s purpose, your audience, and your industry competitors.The end goal Local SEO is to gain high rankings for searches around your geographic location. When users search keywords or phrases in the area, you want your website to be at the top of the list. Many owners can easily get frustrated with an organic strategy not working fast enough so it is important to remember that when done correctly, the benefits of your SEO will take at least six months to really show up. Like most things, all good things come to those who wait.
4. Gain Credibility
One main reason online marketing efforts fall is a lack of credibility and trust in the product.People have heard it all when it comes to marketing claims. Many are skeptical when it comes to online advertising and often times skip and ignore any sort of ad they see. Gain trust and credibility through organic engagements, good customer service, and good online reviews.
5. Get Started On Writing Quality Blog Content
Pushing out large numbers of low-quality content will not earn your business lasting credibility. Good, quality content should be focused towards creating content for your own blog or guest blogging on other established blogs in your industry. You need to share relevant and helpful information about your industry and expertise.
Also. try to get active on forums and discussions boards online.Try places like- LinkedIn groups, Twitter, Facebook communities and any other platform where you can talk directly to your customers. The best content marketing strategies are those which involve readers.
6. Engage On Your Social Media Platforms
Social Media allows people to interact with your company in a personal and memorable way. Online platforms such as Twitter and Facebook allow individuals to follow, share and comment on posts made by your brand/product. This type of organic engagement expands your marketing reach and grows your business exponentially. It can feel overwhelming to think about where to even begin with social media, so take a breath and relax.You do not need to be on every platform, nor should you. Take time to think about which social media channels make the most sense for your small business.
7. Use Email Marketing
Email marketing yields some of the highest returns on investment for business owners.It provides targeted and custom-crafted messages that reach consumers and builds customer loyalty. It also allows an ongoing relationship with your customers that usually fosters repeat business. Provide your subscribers with helpful and useful information and in time they will learn to trust your brand and enjoy hearing from you.
Today, small business owners have plenty of tools and platforms to choose from when it comes to online marketing. With so much to choose from it can be confusing and at times a bit overwhelming. If you follow these tips and start to implement at least one per week, you will be on your way to gaining an online presence that will pay off big in 2017.
Jean Templeton is a public relations director and copywriter who works with small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to help grow their personal brands and businesses.
Jean is the co-founder of Consonant Marketing and believes in creating content that is organically produced and custom made. She is professionally trained in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and specializes in Creative Writing and Public Relations.
