Top 7 Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
As a small business owner, you’re used to figuring things out as you go. But now you’re ready to become a leader, expand your reach, and grow your business. How do you do it?
One of the critical factors for business growth is digital marketing. It’s a digital era – every consumer has a smartphone in their pocket and a computer at home. Take advantage of every digital marketing opportunity, starting with these seven digital marketing strategies set by industry experts.
Use social sites for customer support
Perhaps you have a business website with an email address for people to contact you. Maybe you rely on a personal Facebook account for conducting business on social media, and your phone number is available there.
Neither of these options is as convenient or easy as relying on instant messaging. Using social sites to offer customer support will solidify your professionalism and let followers know you care.
Join Google My Business for free
Make sure that your community knows where you are. If you have a customer-facing enterprise, it’s simple and free to join Google My Business.
You can use it to compile all kinds of information about your small business. This includes your website, products or menus, phone number, and address. It’s the perfect way to engage local customers and help them discover you.
Be active on LinkedIn
If you want to stand out as a professional, go where other professionals are. Join LinkedIn, a free social platform, and find others in your industry.
This is the ideal place to network and share insights. You can join specific groups, browse past posts, and become a leader in your niche.
Make sure your branding is cohesive
Any successful business needs cohesive branding both online and offline. If you haven’t taken the time to get your visual ducks in a row, now is the time.
A free tool like logo creator will let you design a custom logo that can be easily recognized by your clients. Add it to social media profiles and physical products as your small business’s signature.
Create a website for your business
Perhaps you’ve been relying on a variety of social media platforms and in-person sales to keep your business running. It’s time to create a professional-looking website.
If you have it in your budget to hire a freelance website designer, that’s great. If not, there are excellent platforms like WordPress and Wix that help you create your own with hundreds of templates and widgets.
Invest in PPC ads
If you’re serious about growing your business, find room in your budget to invest in paid advertisements—specifically pay-per-click ads, or PPCs.
This is the most affordable and effective option available. You only pay when people interact with your ad and visit your website. You also get to choose keywords that target your ideal consumer.
Offer referral incentives
People love discounts and freebies – use this to your advantage. If at all possible, offer a referral incentive to your existing customers. The value and limits will depend on your business, of course.
Some common incentives include a cash kickback, like $10 off service when your friend books an appointment. You can also give a percentage of referred sales back to the original customer or include a free product with their next purchase.
If you’re ready to break out of your shell and begin growing your small business, these seven digital marketing strategies will help.
Don’t be afraid to branch out, and always seek out new ways to connect. Running a business is never risk-free, but these steps can help you reach your goals safely.
