In today’s world, consumers have a variety of options when it comes to deciding where to spend their money and time. Thanks to the internet, smartphones, and social media, consumers can access a massive amount of information at the click of a button.
This online marketing information can be useful to businesses of all sizes, especially those who want to remain competitive and innovative. If your business doesn’t have a digital footprint, it could be risking its reputation and credibility.
Thankfully, there are simple and affordable ways for businesses to get online, build a solid online presence, and gain some recognition for their efforts. The following will explore the essentials of online marketing, including search engine optimization (SEO), social media, and email marketing, as well as some of the basic tools necessary for the job.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for search engine optimization, which is the process of enhancing your website’s content to ‘optimize’ it for the major search engines (such as Google and Bing).
The better your content is, the more likely it is that your website will climb up the search rankings, which means more potential customers will find your website when they search for your products or services. In short, SEO can increase your web traffic and engagement, and eventually, your bottom line.
Why is SEO important to my business?
SEO is important to your business for several reasons. First, it drives organic traffic to your site. Second, SEO-optimized websites usually perform better in the rankings, which translates to more traffic. Third, being at the top of the search results can expose your website to more users, which means increased engagement and possible sales. Finally, having a higher search ranking usually indicates a better and more reputable business.
With so much competition and market share being contested, it’s essential to rise above the noise and stand out from the crowd. It’s a fact that consumers are becoming more educated when it comes to selecting a business, due to the various platforms available to research and verify the authenticity of a company prior to purchase. Thus, your SEO efforts will put you above the competition.
How can I get started with SEO?
Use the following four steps to get started with SEO:
(1) Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will enable you to assess your SEO efforts.
(2) Select one or two primary metrics to track as the first step in evaluating your SEO performance.
(3) As you can imagine, the more you track, the more you’ll know. Keep an eye on your primary metrics as you move through the following steps. They’ll assist you in properly positioning your business for the major search engines.
(4) Use advanced analysis tools to track the performance of keywords and phrases relevant to your industry.
If you’re looking to improve your business’s online presence, SEO is an essential starting point. The above guide will get you on the right foot.
What is social marketing?
Like SEO, social marketing is the process of using marketing and communications strategies to drive business and brand performance through social media.
However, instead of focusing on driving organic traffic to your website, you’ll be focused on generating brand awareness, engaging with customers, and driving purchase behavior through social media.
You can utilize a number of social platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to build your social marketing strategy. The above platforms are just a few of the many available. You’ll want to use your social platforms to gain support, raise awareness, and encourage action among your target audience.
Why is social marketing important?
Like SEO and email marketing, social marketing is becoming a significant tool in the battle for online market dominance. In fact, according to HubSpot Blogs research, 62% of consumers make purchase decisions based on recommendations from friends, family, and others they know.
From product awareness and interest to consideration and purchase, social marketing can help businesses build and grow their digital footprint, establish credibility, and gain trust and loyalty from customers. The above-mentioned platforms can provide you with a steady audience of ‘potential’ customers who have an interest in your product or service. By engaging with your audience, you can create lifelong brand advocates who will evangelize your product or service and bring new business to your company.
How can I get started with social marketing?
Use the following four steps to get started with social marketing:
(1) Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will enable you to assess your social marketing efforts.
(2) Select one or two primary metrics to track as the first step in evaluating your social marketing performance.
(3) As you can imagine, the more you track, the more you’ll know. Keep an eye on your primary metrics as you move through the following steps. They’ll assist you in properly positioning your business for the major search engines.
(4) Use advanced analysis tools to track the performance of keywords and phrases relevant to your industry.