It is no news that the outbreak of Covid-19 has taken a huge blow on every sector, most especially the business sectors. Even most big establishments are struggling to stay afloat in times of the pandemic. Due to the virus, which is easily spread, physical activities were reduced to the minimum. Businesses have only managed to thrive by proper and skillful utilization of digital platforms to market their goods and adapt to times.
This poses a small challenge for businesses and personnel who lack an understanding of digital marketing and how it works. We have compiled a list of some of the most effective strategies and tips to use in marketing products online and maintaining an online presence.
From a survey taken, small businesses especially need digital marketing to thrive, whether amid a crisis or not. Not only does it cut down the cost that physical service implies, such as having too much infrastructure for the profit garnered or spending too much on equipment, it also reaches a far wider audience. Read on to find out more about these tips. The article below was created with the help of AIAD professionals who are the top industry experts in Australia and overseas.
1. Establish a Fully Functional Website
Source: aboutmanchester.co.uk
Establishing a fully functional website with the proper basics might seem unimportant, but it should not be ignored. Ensure that only the right information is what is provided on your website. Also, make sure that the website is fast loading. With advancements in technology, everyone would get irritated if they must wait hours for a page to load.
2. Build A Strong Media Presence
Nowadays, social media is being used by everyone and not just for entertainment purposes. SportsHabit advises that regardless of your business size, every small business owners should have a strong media presence enabling them to reach thousands of people at the same time, which would not be possible from behind a counter. Invest in social media, pay to have your business and ads promoted, interact with potential customers, and don’t be scared to go the extra mile.
3. Email Marketing Campaign
The importance of emails cannot be over-emphasized. While some people consider emails as too much trouble or needless, reports show that email marketing is one of the oldest and most effective strategies of gaining and maintaining customers. Reaching your customers on a more personal level is something that would never lose value. More so, more people would remember an email sent to them privately than an ad across the wide web.
4. Define a Goal for Your Small Business
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Every business needs to have a goal. A mark they hope to be reached by the end of the day. It is good to define those goals from the onset to know what you’re working towards and how to not lose focus from them. For some small businesses, their main goal for digital marketing might be exposure. Creating awareness for their brand and leaving a mark, while some are geared towards profit and returns from the money invested in promotion. For some, it is customer satisfaction. Whatever goals you may have for your small business, define them from the very beginning.
5. Video Marketing
This is probably one of the most underrated useful tips you would come across. But making videos using InVideo to promote your business does a lot to improve its engagement rates and grab the attention of social media onlookers. People are moved by what they see; displaying your business’s visual content might just be the magic you’re looking for to increase sales. The best part is, a video can even be created from the comfort of your home—zero needs for anything too fancy if you’re trying to cut down costs.
6. Using Internal Employees for Digital Marketing
There is an increasing amount of digital marketing agencies on the internet looking to do the job of selling your image online; still, it is advisable to use in-house employees. Why? Firstly, for the obvious reason of trying to cut down costs. Secondly, no one would know the products more than staffs who have worked in the business for a considerable time. Remember, it is way easier to lose customers than it is to gain them. Hence, use employees that are well conversant with the job description.
7. Train Employees on The Use of Digital Marketing Platforms
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With the tip mentioned above, it is only expected that staff is knowledgeable about social media and how it works. Certainly, not all employees belong to the generation of high-tech usage. Most adults still do not understand how the media works. To market your business through digital means with the help of in-house employees, they would have to be trained on how exactly the media works.
8. Blog content
As a small business, create interesting blog content for your website. If people are going to patronize you, they have to be lured in first. Try your best to make your business appear trustworthy. Use a friendly tone when addressing the audience. Ensure that your website is as user-friendly as possible.
9. Print Marketing
Digital marketing is not exclusive of printed documentation. The use of brochures, pamphlets, postcards to promote business remains in style. Practice direct mailing by sending your clients postcards and brochures that keep them updated on any recent additions or business changes. Print banners and wall posters. Leave printed cards at random sites; barbershops, malls, salons, phone booths, any place that has no law against them. You never know who might come across it.
10. Learn to Stand Out
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There would always be thousands of businesses online offering the same services or products that you offer. The only way to strive would be to differentiate yourself from the rest of them. Do some research about your highest competitors and learn what you need to do differently. Whether it’s improving relationships with clients, who may end up being your greatest promotors, or working with a very competent team, or in the delivery of products—find a way to stand out above the overwhelming tide.
Wrap Up
As you can see, digital marketing offers nothing but benefits for your small business. However, if it seems like too much to handle alone, hiring a niche-specific digital advertising agency like SportsHabit is a great option. Their experts will handle all your digital marketing needs so you can have time to focus on more important things.
