If you have been wondering whether or not your small business needs a digital marketing plan, this article will provide some valuable information you need to know about this marketing approach and why it is important for business growth.
Digital marketing refers to the promotion and sale of goods and services in digital channels, including Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content marketing, influencer marketing, Email marketing, and more.
Although there are other forms of traditional advertising, like print ads and direct mail, digital marketing has overtaken them all because they are inexpensive and easy to use. Besides that, many small businesses use their websites and other online portals to display their goods and services and sell directly to consumers without needing an intermediary like a storefront or retailer. This way, they can promote their online presence at the same time. As we have seen from various examples, even when using traditional marketing methods, the goal is still sales. In addition, digital advertising allows consumers to purchase products 24/7, which is a luxury for brick-and-mortar stores, which must close during the holiday season. When you want to promote your brand online, you can use different types of digital channels of promotion. You may also want to try out Google AdWords to test what works best for you. Or perhaps you would prefer an integrated solution in place of a standalone service. These are just several reasons you should consider incorporating digital marketing into your business strategy.
With any type of advertising or promotional method, the first step in growing your small business is being able to implement proper marketing strategies for each one of those platforms. Each of them requires different tactics, and so does your audience. Some people are better suited to affiliate marketing than others, some prefer PPC, while others are fans of organic advertising. A good understanding of these aspects will help make sure you are successful in your quest to grow your bottom line. If you feel confident in how these channels work online, then you will be ready to move on to another form of marketing that fits your budget. There are so many options available. Do you have to pay for ad space or run commercials across television screens? How can you reach your target audience using both offline and online promotional methods? Now that you know the importance of a well-thought-out digital marketing campaign, you can jumpstart your research, create action plans, and get started on taking advantage of whatever tools are available from the industry leaders.
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If you need a guide on how to start with paid search campaigns, read our ultimate list of the top paid search engine optimization tools.
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Here are some digital marketing tips and tricks.
- Use Visual Content to Get Better Results With Less Effort
If you are serious about reaching visitors online, using visual content is very effective. According to research, users interact with images 37 times faster than text in terms of interaction rate. People respond more quickly to visuals if they see multiple pictures and videos to compare, contrast and zoom in on the subject matter. They tend to stop thinking about scrolling down and scrolling all over the page to get back to the main focal point, whereas a single image seems like nothing. Not only is imagery great for reading the body copy of a text, but it also makes it easier for individuals to notice and recall the message. So, don’t put the cart before the horse. Using visual content on your website can yield more results than text alone. The benefits include improved user experience and reduced bounce rates. However, keep in mind that the quality of photos needs to match that of digital media, meaning they should look professional, well-lit, and free from graphic errors. Consider investing in a camera app instead of relying solely on natural light.
- Make Sure Your Site Provides Useful Information
Your site must contain useful information that consumers can easily access, such as contact info, contact form links, contact forms, payment processing, shipping options, financial data, reviews and ratings, product descriptions, prices, and much more. Users can find all of these details from anywhere inside your website with internet browsers, but they have no concept of how well your pages perform online. Instead of getting stuck here, add interactive elements like quizzes, polls, and surveys on your homepage to engage your visitors and get them to share their feedback. To learn more about testing these ideas, check out HubSpot’s Ultimate Web Analytics Checklist.
- Know When to Switch Up the Channels
The importance of choosing the right channel to market your product depends largely on the size of your potential customer base in relation to the number of resources allocated for specific channels. Small businesses spend less on each individual channel than large corporations, but you must remember that all other factors must be equal when choosing the most cost-effective medium. Don’t forget that when creating targeted advertisements, a combination of Facebook Ads, Pay Per Click (PPC) Ads, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Display Advertising, Video Advertising, Influencer Marketing, Social Media, etc., is needed to ensure maximum exposure.
- Build Relevant Engagement Posts Around the Right Topics and Hashtags
Content isn’t enough for anyone. You have to create engaging posts for your audiences. Be creative and develop interesting captions and content that speak to them as human beings, not automated robots. Also, keep in mind that building relationships among readers is equally important as generating traffic. Try to answer questions about yourself and your industry in the comment sections. Remember that engagement posts on popular sites like Reddit or Quora may take longer to reach users. To give you an idea of how long this might take, we have created a simple timeline that shows how fast it takes to rank and convert your target audience on each platform. See, after 18 days, you can generate a high conversion rate of 40%.
- Run Keyword Research Before Publishing Anything Long Enough to Generate Sales
Keywords are your bread and butter. Since you cannot rely on keywords alone to bring in relevant traffic to your website, they must be strategically placed throughout the rest of your online marketing plans. Once you start tracking the words used in your digital marketing campaign, you can identify trends and target keywords based on your goals. Think of keywords that lead to a higher number of clicks, unique leads, customers, and sales. One crucial element to consider is domain authority, referring to how good your page ranks in comparison to the competitors. By running keyword research and performing competitor analysis, you can determine what is working with your current campaign. After all, the more keywords you run, the stronger your content will be.
- Utilize Infographics or Videos as Part of More Prominent Campaigns
Did you know that video is ranked #1 among social media platforms? While statistics suggest the opposite, infographics and videos are a great way to showcase your brand and explain your company’s value proposition. Moreover, many advertisers feel comfortable utilizing animated videos in their campaigns to draw attention and deliver better outcomes, and you can learn more about this technique by visiting our YouTube course on 7 Proven Ways to Drive Traffic. Even though infographics and videos are two separate processes with slightly distinct objectives, their end goal is the same – making your message more memorable and impactful. Adding a compelling voiceover, providing essential stats, images, and graphics, and adding a clear call to action further enhance the overall effect of your post. Just think about the power of pop culture references in movies and tv dramas.
- Always Give Proper Credit for Sources Used
It’s always good practice to credit sources whenever possible. Unfortunately, mistakes happen, especially when trying to maintain consistency around branding images, brand mentions, and even logos that aren’t properly credited. Therefore, instead of spending hours editing images and video footage, write brief notes on who uploaded each instance of content and the link to the source material, as well as any copyright.
More Tips About Online Marketing Ideas
Whether you are just starting out in the world of online marketing, or you’re already doing it full-time, follow these strategies below.
Create Professional Websites and Blogs. Most importantly, make sure that your personal information – including your name, phone number, and address – is properly updated and accurate. Additionally, the design of your home pages should reflect the personality of your organization. Ensure that your logo and header colors are reflective of the tone inside the pages. Create High-Quality Images. Regardless of how little digital marketer in your family has actually done lately, chances are good, you know what I am talking about. Creating a solid, professional-looking website means following the “rules” outlined above. Aside from improving your credibility and professionalism, one of the biggest benefits, according to experts at Fiverr, is increased sales and positive word-of-mouth. Furthermore, they can assist you in developing your future clientele. Take Advantage of Linkedin and Steemit To Become Active Within the Industry. Though you may not have heard of them, these two services allow you to market, promote and grow your career in areas relevant to your niche, while simultaneously gaining knowledge about the intricacies of the industry. Both companies have grown immensely due to their ability to connect individuals and organizations effectively.
