Marketing your small business online is not only important, it is necessary to increase your customer base. With so many options for online marketing it can be confusing to know which ones to choose.
Consider these digital marketing methods to improve your business’s online presence.
Search Engine Optimization/SEO
Generally when someone uses the internet they use a search engine (usually Google) to find the information they are looking for. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial so your business will show up when people are looking for your product of service. Ideally your website will be towards the top of the page where people are more likely to click on it. Make sure your website uses good SEO practices, so you can be found online.
Pay Per Click
Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising is a great way to display advertisements for your business at a low cost. You will be able to place your business listing on Google’s search results along with the natural search results. You pay a commission based on the number of people who click on your link. The most popular PPC system is Google AdWords. You can easily set up an AdWords account with your Google account. By using the right keywords you can affordably drive customers to your business.
Social Media
It is imperative that your business has a presence on social media. You want your business to be where the customers are at and everybody is on social media. Come up with a social media plan for all the different social media channels, then stick with the plan. Being active on social media helps to build strong relationships with your customers. Properly using social media is one of the best ways to build exposure for your business.
Blogging
Blogging is a great way to set your business apart from the competition. Customers are going online to find information related to your small business. If you can provide that content on your blog, and keep those customers interested they will be more likely to use your service. Your blog will drive visitors to your site and can be shared on social media. This will help expand your online presence and generate sales.
Email
Although email marketing seems old fashioned it is still one of the most effective digital marketing methods. As long as your email strategy doesn’t come across as spam you can see significant results from your email campaigns. Offer your customers discounts and information that is relevant and interesting to them. Find the optimum amount of emails to send to your customers
Text Marketing
Marketing with text messages is a relatively new, but extremely effective way to advertise your small business. However, you have to be very careful to not come across as spam. Make sure you have permission before sending a text to a customer. When you send the text keep it brief and to the point. Always include your company name along with a promotion for your business.
With all the digital marketing strategies available it can be overwhelming to decide which one to use. Focus on a few strategies that you can afford to use for your business. As you master these strategies you will see increased sales for your business.
For more insights on marketing strategy that actually works for small business, subscribe to the FreshLime Newsletter here. Connect with Jay Bean, Founder of FreshLime and Small Business Marketing Expert on LinkedIn and Twitter. And last of all, if any of these tips have helped you or if you have anything to add please comment below. We’d love to hear from you!