If you're a small business or startup, digital marketing is a great way to reach new customers and grow your business.
If you're a small business or startup, generating traffic and increasing sales can be challenging. Digital marketing channels are a great way to reach new customers and grow your business. But how do you know which ones to use? And once you've decided, how do you get started?
“Ignoring online marketing is like opening a business but not telling anyone.”
—KB Marketing Agency
Here's a quick guide on how small businesses can increase their traffic and sales using digital marketing channels.
Having a website is no longer enough. You need to ensure you're active on social media and that your content is easy to find and share. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are great places to start promoting your business.
According to recent studies, businesses that use digital marketing enjoy a significant advantage over those that do not. 82% of the companies that use digital marketing report that they have seen an increase in sales, compared to only 54% of businesses that do not use digital marketing. Additionally, companies that use digital marketing are twice as likely to be profitable as those that do not.
There are several reasons for this discrepancy. Digital marketing is more efficient and effective than traditional marketing techniques, allowing businesses to reach a larger audience more quickly and at a lower cost. Additionally, digital media is more engaging than traditional media, resulting in a higher engagement and conversion rate. Finally, digital marketing allows businesses to track their results and fine-tune their campaigns to achieve the best possible results.
If you're new to the online world, potential customers might not know who you are and what you have to offer. To inform potential customers of your business, it is essential to use keywords to ensure that you stand out from other companies.
What exactly is a keyword? According to Yoast, keywords help describe the content on your website or social media posts. "When you include a keyword in your post or page title, in the meta description or tags, you help Google understand what your content is about. Based on that understanding, Google will try to match your content to relevant searches."
For example, if you are a small business that specializes in eco-friendly products, some keywords you might want to use are "sustainability," "eco-friendly," and "zero waste." Including these keywords in your content will increase your chances of appearing in search results when potential customers are looking for businesses like yours.
It is essential to make sure that you use relevant keywords. It is important to note that they will provide no additional benefit if you are stuffing your content with them. They may end up hurting your ability to be searched online. So use them strategically to see the greatest results.
Paid advertising can be a great way to reach new customers. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target their users based on specific demographics and interests.
Businesses pay to have their ads placed on websites or social media platforms. The platform then aims to deliver the ad to users who meet the targeted demographics and interests. The narrower a target audience is, the fewer total number of people will see it. However, these individuals will most likely act on the messaging you are sharing with them.
For example, let's continue our above business that sells eco-friendly products. You could use Google Ads to place ads on websites frequently visited by people interested in sustainability and environmental issues. You will likely reach new customers interested in your products by targeting this demographic.
Customers love educational content that provides real value. If you can create content that helps your potential customers solve a problem or provides them with helpful information, they will be more likely to remember your business and come back to you in the future.
One great way to create valuable content is to start a blog. You can use your blog to write about topics related to your business, such as sustainability tips, eco-friendly living, or a zero-waste lifestyle. Not only will you be providing valuable information to your readers, but you will also be increasing your visibility online.
As potential customers see you as a credible source, their overall trust and confidence in you will also increase. This means they are much more likely to do some form of business with you.
In fact, according to 99Firms, "70% of consumers prefer to find out about a product from an article rather than an advertisement." This is a huge deal! This means that more people want to engage with you and the information you have to share rather than be bombarded by advertisements.
Across every channel, you engage in, whether social media, your website, etc., strive to offer value. It may seem like it will take a lot of work and energy, but these small yet great interactions eventually add up, providing you with a loyal customer base that will keep coming back to you.
One significant benefit of digital marketing over traditional marketing methods is that almost every interaction a potential customer has with your business is trackable.
This data can then improve your marketing strategy in several ways.
You can use it to see which channels provide you with the most traffic and sales. You can also use it to understand which type of content resonates best with your audience. With this knowledge, you can adjust your marketing strategy accordingly to focus on the channels and content that provide the most value and results.
Digital marketing is a great way to reach new customers and grow your business. Following the above tips, you can create a successful digital marketing strategy to help you achieve your business goals. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!