92% of small business owners think having a website is the most effective digital marketing strategy, whereas only 64% actually have one. However, there are several different ways to digitally market your business, but what works best?
With so many options available, it might get a bit overwhelming. So if you’re looking for a simple explanation of what digital marketing is and how to do it, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of digital marketing and explore some of the best strategies for a small business. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Your Business Needs Digital Marketing
Most people nowadays will search for a business when they need it, but even if they aren’t searching for your business, having adverts raises your digital profile and you’ll see far more visitors. Here are just a few reasons your business needs digital marketing.
Increase Exposure
Not every ad is going to net you a new customer, but it might get them talking. Afterall, every business needs exposure and need to drive traffic especially small businesses with the help of digital marketing tools as well as organically. Digital marketing will make sure people know who you are and where to find you, which will help you build up more regular customers.
Capture Leads
Now that you’ve got people looking at your business, you need to get them through the door. An effective website might detail all of your services or goods on offer, and it may also be where your customers make purchases. Regardless of where your customers shop, having a comprehensive site is the perfect way to turn visitors into customers.
Improve Credibility
Single-page websites and mentions on review sites can be less inviting than a recognizable, official website. Using a website, ads, and social media together, you can make your online presence more consistent, ultimately raising your credibility.
Digital Marketing Strategies
There are several different methods, strategies and digital marketing tools for small business you can apply when it comes to digital marketing, including posting blogs, leveraging social media platforms, optimizing your website and utilizing pay-per-click advertising.
Blog Posting
Blog posting can be one of the better ways to market your business, allowing for a more personal touch. This is a site or a page where you can market your business in a range of styles – from bullet-pointed development logs to informal conversational pieces – to connect with any visitors and potential customers.
Because websites with limited information might drive away potential customers, a blog can effectively keep visitors engaged. A blog also gives the reader something to learn, whether it’s more about the business and how its departments operate, or more about you and the journey toward building your business. If the reader can see how much time and effort you’ve put into informing your customers, it shows how transparent and credible your business is.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing can be extremely lucrative, offering multiple options to optimize your marketing. Social media can be paid, whereby you pay for ads or additional marketing services, and organic, wherein you create a free social media account and posts to naturally engage with users.
Both of these methods allow for full autonomy when you’re looking to capture a particular audience, as you can carefully select exactly where you’re willing to spend a little more to see better results. Reports show that average screen time has risen by 50 minutes a day since 2013, and with some of the most popular apps used being social media, it can be a fantastic platform for up-and-coming businesses looking to market on a budget.
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of constructing your digital presence to accommodate and relate to searches. For example, ensuring “Texas Barber” is prominent on your page will help to capture more users who are looking for barbers in Texas. You can also use your keywords to target users from a range of backgrounds based on religion, finances, or age.
Using SEO means users looking for your product or service will have an easier time finding it, as your site is prioritized within their search results. SEO is essential for any business looking to effectively market online. To quickly raise your digital presence, you may want to consider applying some key SEO practices like optimizing your titles and descriptions to include location phrases to get found by customers faster.
Related Page: How To Generate More Leads Using SEO
Pay-Per-Click Ads
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads are everywhere, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a website without them. These ads can be especially useful for small businesses, as the advertiser only charges when a user follows through on your ad.
While not always the most engaging way to entice customers, PPC allows you to get your name out, only paying when a user has shown an interest in your business. If people aren’t organically searching for and accessing your site, you should consider using some PPC ads to bring in users with similar interests.
Digital Marketing From Idea Maker
Digital marketing can get confusing, and running a small business is time-consuming, so how do you manage your business and implement digital marketing strategies? You hire an experienced marketing agency.
At Idea Maker, we have an expert team of digital marketing professionals ready to help you grow your business. From SEO to social media marketing, Idea Maker has the tools and the know-how to help you start digitally marketing your small business effectively. Schedule a call with us today to see how we can help you with all of your digital marketing needs.