Fact: Digital marketing is just as important to small businesses as it is to large corporations.
Digital marketing is the use of online technology to attract customers and grow your business. Some of the work you’re already doing to promote your business probably falls under the digital marketing umbrella.
Some forms of digital marketing include:
- Social media marketing
- Search engine marketing (or optimization)
- Content marketing
- Email marketing
- Influencer Marketing
You might be thinking, “My business is doing great just from word-of-mouth. I don’t need all these extra things in my business right now.”
Word-of-mouth marketing is great because consumers love shopping based on a referral or testimonial from a friend, but you don’t want to overlook digital marketing benefits.
Reasons you shouldn’t ignore digital marketing.
#1. Reach customers that you can’t connect with locally
Digital marketing puts your brand in front of people that you usually wouldn’t reach. Customers and potential clients can find you through a Google or Pinterest search or find you through hashtags on social media.
#2. Educate more people about your brand and what you stand for
Not only will you reach a larger online audience, but you can also use digital marketing to share what makes your business stand out from competitors. Allow your audience to see how your services can solve address their pain points or how your products can solve a problem for them.
#3. Consumers expect businesses to have an online presence
In 2021, businesses must maintain an online presence, even if you’re a new business owner. Your website is like your company’s virtual headquarters. If you offer a service, potential clients will visit your website before deciding to do business with you.
Digital marketing strategies can help you drive traffic back to your website so that you can grow your business and earn more revenue.
#4. Expand the ways you promote your brand
Flyers, print ads, and offline marketing are still helpful for some industries, but you won’t receive the same exposure you will with a digital marketing strategy.
Videos, tutorials, and social media content that show your products and services allow for more engagement with your virtual audience. With digital marketing, you can highlight your products and services in ways that offline marketing cannot.
#5. Digital marketing is the future of marketing
The world has shifted into a digital lifestyle, and so should your brand.
Brands realize that mobile apps, social media content, and online search engines drive consumers to spend money.
You don’t have to be everywhere online, but you do want to be present in a few key places online. If you don’t have a prominent digital presence yet, start with one social media platform, Pinterest, and email marketing. These are low-cost investments that can yield a high return in your business.
So how do you get started with digital marketing?
Research your target audience. Find out where and how your audience spends their time online. What are their pain points? Evaluate how your own brand can currently solve those problems, and what could you do to serve your audience better? Then, research your competition. What do they do well, and what can your business do better? Finally, what are your business goals?
From there, you can start creating your digital marketing strategy based on your goals, what your audience needs, and how your business solves that problem.
