Digital marketing is a lot more than just posting on Facebook and hoping for the best. To survive in today’s digital landscape, businesses have to be strategic about how they market themselves. If you own a small business, you may not have the budget for a dedicated marketing team or the resources to hire consultants who can help you develop an effective digital marketing plan.
This article will give you an overview of what digital marketing is, why it’s so important, and what tools and strategies marketers use to achieve their goals. If you are new to the world of online marketing and feel like there’s a lot to take in, that’s because there is! We’ve broken this guide down into five easy-to-read sections. This includes everything you need to know about getting started as a small business owner with digital marketing.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is the process of promoting your products or services through online channels like search engines, social media, email, and video or blog posts. In short, a strategy uses digital technologies, mainly online, to increase the sales or visibility of a product or service, generate leads, and earn brand awareness.
Digital marketing encompasses a wide variety of strategies, from paid advertising and email marketing to SEO and content marketing. The common denominator for all digital marketing strategies is that they involve the use of technology and content that gets noticed and shared online by potential customers and leads. As technology continues to evolve, so does digital marketing.
Why is Digital Marketing Important for Small Businesses?
Businesses of all types and sizes are utilizing digital marketing strategies to drive more traffic to their websites, convert that traffic into leads and sales, and build their brand reputation through interactions with customers, prospects, and influencers online. Digital marketing is one of the best ways to reach your customers, who are increasingly turning to online sources for information and purchases.
A recent study revealed that 87% of consumers have searched online for local businesses. Over 30% of consumers use search engines like Google and Bing daily to discover new products and services for purchase. With more customers shopping online, small business owners need to take advantage of digital marketing. But makes sure they are showing up in search results where customers are actively looking for businesses like theirs.
Which Digital Marketing Tools are Must-Haves?
There are lots of digital marketing tools that can help you get your business online. They also help you to find new customers and drive more sales. But not all of them are created equally. The following must-have digital marketing tools can help you create a strategy that will drive your business forward online.
– Content Marketing – Content marketing is the use of content to build your audience, educate your customers, and generate leads. The best content finds a sweet spot between helpful and promotional and is relevant to your audience. It can take many forms, including blogs, podcasts, webinars, and e-books.
– SEO – SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. SEO is the process of optimizing your website and content so that it shows up at the top of SERPs like Google, Bing, and Apple. SEO is a must for any business looking to grow their online presence. SEO is a long-term strategy, but one that will pay off as you attract more customers to your website and build brand awareness.
– Social Media Marketing – Social media marketing is where you focus on growing your audience on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can use social media to engage with your audience, drive traffic to your website, and build brand awareness. The most important thing to remember when marketing on social media is to be authentic and not oversell your brand.
– Video Marketing – Video marketing is another essential marketing tool. You can use this to build your brand awareness, educate your audience, and drive traffic to your website. According to Hubspot, 93% of businesses plan to increase their video marketing in 2019. If you’re not creating video content right now, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to grow your business online.
Which Tools of Digital Marketing are Optional?
These digital marketing tools are ones that you may want to consider depending on your business objectives and budget. They can help you increase your visibility and take your marketing efforts to the next level. But they are not essential for every business.
– Email Marketing – Email marketing is one of the most effective marketing tools available to businesses. Email marketing is a way to reach out to your customers. But it’s a one-time promotion or as a way to stay in regular contact with them. Email marketing is a great way to stay on top of mind with your customers, offer promo codes and product updates, and build your brand.
– Influencer Marketing – Influencer marketing is where you partner with social media influencers to promote your products and services. This is a great option if you don’t have the budget to hire an advertising team.
– Display Ads – Display ads are the images and advertisements you see on websites, app screens, and other places online. They are used on social media platforms, but can also be found on other websites and apps. Display ads are a great way to promote your business and product offerings to new audiences.
– Retargeting – Retargeting ads show up on websites you’ve already visited, often after you’ve left without making a purchase. For example, if you visit a website to look at a product but don’t buy it, retargeting ads can appear on other websites you visit and bring you back to the original site.
Best Tools for Digital Marketing for Small Businesses
Now that you know what digital marketing is and why it’s important for your business. It’s time to take action and get started with your strategy. The following tools can help you create a strong foundation that will propel your business forward online.
– Website – Having a website is the most important digital marketing tool you can have. Your website is where all of your other marketing efforts will end up. It’s the place where your potential customers will go to learn more about your business and discover how they can purchase your products/ services.
– Content Calendar – A content calendar is a tool that many businesses use to help them create content that they can publish on their website regularly. Having a content calendar in place can help you stay on track. Also sure you’re publishing enough blog posts, podcasts, and other types of content to keep your visitors coming back for more.
– Analytics – Analytics will help you understand how your website is performing and where you can make improvements. There are many tools out there that can help you track your website traffic.
Digital Marketing is a lot of work, but it can be a lot of fun!
Digital marketing is a booming industry that is always changing and evolving. New trends and technologies emerge all the time, and xtream studios are always looking for ways to refine and improve their strategies. If you’re new to the world of online marketing, you feel like you need to learn a whole new language before you can get started.
Don’t worry though, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ve given you an overview of what digital marketing is and how it works. We’ve also explored what digital marketing tools are must-haves and which are optional for small businesses. Now all you have to do is take action!
