Your ever-growing reputation will therefore be built on strong and smart communication and the quality of what you offer your audience – and your marketing is a vital component in all of this. Effective marketing is a combination of networking, branding, marketing, advertising and selling. It all very much has to be and needs to be joined up in a whole number of ways; this is what will be key to the growth of a business. This is why this is a key investment.
Businesses may believe that since they offer a good product or service, it’s just a matter of time until customers find their way to them. Just like a product that’s going to market, a service needs to be marketed too. This is key in fact. Something needs to be done as a means for people to know what they need to know basically. This is where a marketing agency can help.
Digital marketing is vital
When small businesses get started, their focus is often on how to get the first customers through the door. They may rely on traditional forms of advertising, such as print ads, coupon mailers or even outdoor advertising. Businesses may believe that since they offer a good product or service, it’s just a matter of time until customers find their way to them. While this marketing strategy may bring in a trickle of business, there is a better and easier way. Small businesses should consider the global marketplace of prospects online and benefit from converging their traditional and digital marketing. No small business, no matter how new, should overlook digital channels as a way to generate leads and convert interest into customers.
Digital marketing for a small business
With endless opportunities, digital marketing can seem intimidating if you’ve never used it for a business before. There are a variety of platforms and digital marketing terms that may make it seem like a bigger project than it is. Small businesses can believe they don’t have the time or money to compete online. As a result, many prefer to take things slowly and stick with one or two forms of traditional advertising, assuming that their business will evolve as time passes.
Everyone is now more or less online
When someone is interested in your business, whether it’s in your niche or they are curious about your brand, the first thing they will do is research online and see what they can find out about you. In today’s digital age, customers expect to find a website and social media presence. They may be looking for reviews so they can learn what other people are saying about your company and whether it is a good place to do business. For local businesses, 87% of consumers read online reviews – a growth of 6% from 2019 to 2020. So if a potential customer can’t find you online, they may conclude that your business doesn’t appear to be legitimate. There is a very good chance that a lot of these prospects may decide not to take your business seriously and they will quickly head somewhere else.
It is key you keep yourself accessible no end
As we already discussed, your business needs to be present where your customers and that’s online. Whatever product or service a person looks for, they will most likely start their search with Google. If you have no online presence, then you won’t be found, and you can’t compete. If you have an online presence but your competitors are easier to find as they rank higher in search, you still might not be found. Along with creating a website, learning what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is and why it’s important is key. It will help you outrank competitors by being the first name that a prospect finds on a Google search.
Keywords are crucial in making this happen. So make sure you understand the best keywords (long-tail and short-tail) for your business. Use this simple infographic to guide you through the five steps of keyword research. You should also include simple questions prospects may want quick answers to. Such as where you are located, your opening hours, and details of your product or service. By looking at your website and competitors’ websites side by side, your prospects should be able to compare hours, prices, special offers and more to make the best decision for them.
Overall
Customers aren’t telepathic. Sure, things would be a lot easier for marketers if they were. But people need to be made aware of your business and what you do. Learning how to market your small business can feel like an overwhelming challenge, but it has limitless upsides. Marketing is a way to tell potential customers all about your shiny new product or service. It’s also a way to build long-lasting relationships with existing customers, and to use what you learn from those relationships to develop new business ideas.
