1. Explore Digital Advertising
Search engine optimization and social media posts will only take you so far. To stand out from the rest online, you should start with pay-per-click online ads and ads on social media channels. By choosing the right keywords and narrowing your target potential customers, you can hone in on those prospective customers who are most likely to want what you sell or service.
2. Connect with Customers Via Newsletters
Email is one of the most effective digital marketing tool. Whether they are consumers or business owners, and no matter what their age, just about everyone checks their email box. Create a monthly email newsletter and send out regular marketing messages with special offers, news, and discounts.
3. Use Online Reviews
Claim your listings on online ratings and review sites, such as Google places and Yelp. Use signage in your location and links on your website or in your emails to encourage your customers to write reviews for your business. Observe your reviews and rapidly respond to any that are negative. You should try to maintain a rating of four stars or above.
4. Use Social Media Regularly
A research shows this may actually turn followers off and make them tune out your posts. However, if you provide valuable content to your target audience, they will be much more likely to pay close attention to the few promotions that you mix in there. Be engaged with your audience, building trust and brand loyalty, rather than using your profiles to essentially be online billboards.
5. Content Marketing
Try starting a blog for your business. Play with your keywords to optimize for SEO, and even tap into industry influences to contribute posts and share with their communities like LinkedIn. Content is really important! The more you can produce, the more links you can tag and the more you have to share.
6. Follow the Rules
When it comes to online marketing or any other kind of marketing, three rules are: Keep it simple, be consistent, and always respond to feedback as soon as you can.
7. Test as much as you can
The best way to improve your small business is to never become irrelevant and always be testing. Identify your customer’s needs, test your hypothesis with paid advertising, iterate, and test again.
8. Think Local
If your business targets local customers, claim your listings on local search directories, such as Google My Business and Bing places for business. These services are free and help ensure that nearby potential customers find you when they search online for your service.
9. Include Basic Information
Include important information customers want to know at first. Your business address, phone number, hours of operation, etc. on your website where visitors can find them easily. You would be surprised how many businesses forget to show this most basic info.
10. Built Your Website
Make sure you have an updated, mobile-friendly website that is easy for users to navigate across all devices like PC, mobile phones, tablets and has a modern, clean design. If you aren’t experienced about website building, there are lots of online services for that purpose.
