With the increasing popularity of online marketplaces and social media, online marketing has become a common strategy for business.
This strategy is no longer limited to the realms of SEO and PPC. With the right tools and techniques, even a small business can produce amazing results. In fact, many so-called ‘traditional’ marketing agencies have pivoted to online marketing to remain relevant.
In this article, we’ll explore the various options available to you in online marketing, including paid advertising, SEO, and social media. We’ll then examine how to choose the right service for your needs.
Paid Advertising
Traditional advertising, such as television and magazine ads, have always been important for businesses. However, with the rise of the online marketplace and social media, paid advertising has evolved to fit the new digital landscape. The benefits of paid advertising are that you can target the right audience and measure the results of your ad spend.
You can utilize several platforms to target the right audience. Some of the most popular ones are Google Ads, which can be inserted into websites or applications, and Facebook Ads, which can be inserted into Facebook pages. You can also create and manage ads on Pinterest.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving the ranking of your website or application on search engines like Google. The goal of SEO is to have your website show up when someone searches for your product or service – usually, the higher the ranking, the closer to the top of the search engine results.
You can use several strategies to achieve the best possible ranking for your website. One of the most popular ones is:
- Creating original content on your website that is both relevant and valuable
- Linking to authoritative and relevant websites that speak to your niche
- Focusing on building a trusted rapport with your audience, which in turn, will enhance your SEO ranking
SEO is a long-term strategy that can take several months to several years to fully develop. However, the return on investment can be hugely beneficial. Not only will it help to draw potential customers to your application or website, but it can also boost your bottom line.
Social Media Marketing (SMM)
Just as SEO evolved to fit the new digital landscape, so did social media marketing. Unlike traditional advertising, which seeks to drive product sales, social media marketing focuses on enhancing brand awareness and generating word-of-mouth marketing. In other words, you want to create a community around your brand that is driven by positive word-of-mouth marketing.
You can utilize several platforms to reach your audience. Some of the most popular ones are:
- YouTube
Each of these platforms allows you to create and engage with a specific audience. For instance, you can use Facebook to connect with and engage with your followers.
SMM is a lot easier to implement than SEO. You can simply select the right hashtag on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram, and then engage with your audience using that hashtag. This strategy can help you to gain valuable insights on what is working and what needs to be changed to better serve your audience.
The Difference Between Paid Advertising, SEO, and Social Media Marketing
Now that you’re equipped with an understanding of what paid advertising, SEO, and social media marketing are, it’s important to know the differences between the three.
Paid advertising, as we mentioned, is when a business pays to have their products or services advertised on television or in other publications, or on the internet, for example, when someone clicks on a coupon or special deal ad.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving the ranking of your website or application on search engines like Google. The goal of SEO is to have your website show up when someone searches for your product or service – usually, the higher the ranking, the closer to the top of the search engine results.
Social media marketing, on the other hand, is simply using social media platforms to disseminate and engage with audiences around your brand.
Which One Is Right for You?
The key take-away from this article is that online marketing is a flexible and evolving field. Choosing the right service to reach your audience is not a easy task, especially since many marketing agencies offer all three services. But, with a little bit of research and a clear goal in mind, you can be confident that you’re making the right choice for your business.