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The Basics of Digital Marketing
Marketing and advertising have existed for as long as people have been selling and buying. If you’re selling something, people need to know you’re there and how you differ from your competition. Digital marketing may have the same fundamental principles as the ancient hawkers’ pictograms did thousands of years ago, but it’s a bit more complicated now.
Here’s the basics of what you need:
A website
Unbelievably, many small businesses still don’t have an online presence! The owners claim it’s expensive or that they don’t need one. However, as most people now look for goods and services online, if you’re not there, you’re nowhere.
Even if your business is a paying hobby, you can create a good-looking and effective website to bring the customers in and get your name out there. Of course, it’s best if you have a professional design and build your website, but you may have to do it yourself at first; just make sure your URL features your business’ name and your service.
Optimise your site
Even if they buy in-store, many people research purchasing decisions online, so if you’re not in the running, they’ll go to your rival instead. Optimising your website for search engines is a sure-fire way for people to find you. If you can’t afford an SEO expert just yet, at least get into Google’s business directory. If you can, incorporate keywords (the phrases people will type into Google to look for your service) into your website copy.
Your email
Your email should be unique to your business domain, rather than from a free web-based provider. Something like another@fancydoggrooming.com, for example. This makes you look professional and established.
Your social media
Small business owners don’t have much time, especially not for fiddling around on lots of social media sites. Choose the two platforms that speak to your core audience and don’t bother so much with the rest.
Your advertising
Online advertising can be much less expensive then newspapers and radio. Online you can reach more people and even target your ads to the right individuals by using analytics tools.
About the author
PAUL SMITH - For over 20 years I have worked with businesses, enterprises and brands in Australia, NZ, UK and US to drive digital marketing growth using organic and paid traffic strategies. No fluff or BS, just straight-forward return on investment.
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