There are many different ways to market a business, but few that are as effective and as affordable as online marketing. With so much competition and so many ways to reach potential customers, businesses must adopt a digital marketing approach to stay relevant.
If you’re looking to launch a new business or expand into a different area, you may wonder what your marketing options are. Keep reading for some helpful advice on how to get started.
1. Website
Having a website is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to market a business. Having a professional-looking website that is optimized for search engines can help your business grow and thrive. If you’re looking to build a brand for yourself or your business, consider starting with a simple, cheap website.
The cost of building a very simple, static website can be as little as $5 per month plus the cost of a professional-looking domain name. Even if you decide to go this route, you will still need to consider the cost of software to automate the publishing process.
2. Social Media Accounts
If you have a Twitter account, you can use it to promote your business. With millions of users, anyone can reach a large audience. However, to have a successful Twitter account, you must first establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your industry. Follow and “like” other industry leaders and see how your audience will grow.
You can also use other social media accounts, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, to promote your business. Again, like with Twitter, you can use these accounts to establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Just remember: these are all public social media accounts, so you must be careful about what you post and who you share it with.
3. Email List
An email list is one of the most effective and affordable ways to market a business. Just remember that these are potential customers, so be sure to tailor your communications with them accordingly. You can use email newsletters to keep your customers up to date on the latest news, events, and offers from your business. You can also send out periodic emails with helpful tips or information about your industry.
Depending on how you use it, a single email list can cost you as little as $5 per month. Plus, you can use tools like MailChimp and HubSpot to automate the process of creating and maintaining your email lists.
4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
In general, SEO is the process of improving the ranking of your website on search engines like Google and Bing. To do this, you will need to take into consideration both on-site and off-site factors. On-site factors include things like the quality and volume of your content, the design of your website, and the functionality of your website. Off-site factors include your backlinks (the sites that link to you) and the authority of these sites.
You can use SEO to your advantage. Just remember that if you’re looking to optimize for local search engines, such as Google Maps, you may want to consider using a local SEO agency. The cost of having an SEO expert build you a tailor-made strategy can be quite affordable. However, it can also be very costly to have an amateur try and fail miserably. Always do your research before hiring an agency or freelancer. If you’re looking to keep your costs down, consider paying them by the hour rather than by the project.
5. Analysis Tools
With the vast amount of data that is available online, you can use analysis tools to track the performance of your website and social media accounts. For example, you can use Google Trends to see how often your keywords are being searched for, or you can use Hootsuite to see the reach of your social media accounts.
These tools can be very helpful in establishing the popularity of your business and its products. Just remember that without active social media presence, it can be difficult for a business to stay popular and reach a large audience. Also, try to look for tools that can provide you with valuable data about your industry.
6. Analytics Software
Last but not least, we have analytics software. This is software that can track the traffic that comes to your site and how you interact with it. There are many different types of analytics software, so you may want to consider what fits your needs best. Some of the most popular analytics software include Google Analytics, Piwik, and Hotjar.
You can use these software tools to track the performance of your website, blog posts – basically, everything that you publish. You don’t need to install any additional software to use these tools, and you can access the information that they provide from any device.
Just remember that none of these analytics platforms are free. Basic plans start at around $5 per month plus the cost of the software.
Final Takeaway
To summarize, here are the basic steps to take when launching a new business:
1. Choose a name for your business.
2. Establish a website.
3. Build an email list.
4. Identify the keywords you’ll use to find your customers. Use these words carefully and put them in your headlines and sentences.
5. Optimize your website for search engines. This will help your website reach a larger audience.
6. Use social media to connect with potential customers. Doing this can help establish your authority in your industry and allow you to grow a following.
7. Measure the success of your business.
8. Update your business with the latest news and trends. Don’t worry; this won’t cost you a penny.
Remember, your business is your baby and you’re responsible for its’ well-being. So take time to carefully consider every aspect of its’ development, from the inside out. Once you’ve established a sound business foundation, you can move on to exploring more sophisticated marketing strategies.