If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either an online marketer or someone who has a fairly good understanding of online marketing. If not, then maybe it’s time to consider becoming more involved in digital marketing.
In today’s world, it’s almost impossible to escape online marketing. From paying bills to booking flights, everything can be found online. But despite its prevalence, many business owners and marketers struggle with understanding how to successfully advertise online.
Luckily, the internet provides a wealth of information and resources to help marketers improve their techniques and procedures.
In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions about online marketing and social media. We’ll even provide you with a bonus action item at the end.
Why Do I Need To Market Online?
In today’s world, more and more people are turning to the internet to fulfill all of their daily needs. In fact, the number of individuals using the web daily increased by 19% between April 2021 and March 2021.
According to Google, over 300 million Americans use the internet to search for something every day. With so many people using the internet daily, it’s fair to assume that your product or service will eventually find its way to someone’s screen. However, the odds of a web surfer landing on your website are fairly low.
The truth is, without an effective online marketing strategy, your business may struggle to gain the attention of potential customers. While it’s great to have a physically-located storefront, taking out a sign in the front yard and handing out flyers is no longer enough to guarantee an audience.
To get started, it’s important to develop an understanding of why people use the internet in the first place. Here are some of the major reasons:
To Research
In the early days, the internet was simply used to provide an additional source of information. People would use the web to research topics that were of interest to them; whether it was learning about fashion or investing in stocks. In today’s world, the internet still serves a similar purpose; allowing people to research topics, companies, and products that are of interest to them.
Some marketers believe that having an informational website with no calls to action is a waste of time and money. However, creating a website just to have content is a losing strategy. To grow your business, you need to use the information you’ve collected to engage with your audience.
To Socialize
The internet provides a space for people to connect, share their thoughts, and get inspired. If you’ve ever been to TikTok, you know that it is a place where people share interesting snippets of information, links, and even entire blogs.
If you’ve never been to TikTok, then it’s time to consider hopping on board. Launching a blog or an informational site is a great way to get started. However, making occasional posts to a public platform isn’t enough to garner interest from potential customers. To really stand out, you need to engage with your audience by creating interesting, educational content.
To Research, Socialize, & Shop
With the growth of social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, people are able to access information, research, and even make purchases all in one place. In today’s world, the internet isn’t just a source of information; it’s a platform that allows for business-to-customer engagement, marketing, and even sales.
If you want to grow your business, learn how to use the internet effectively. To start, create a YouTube channel along with a blog. Then, use the platform to engage with your audience through videos.
How Do I Market My Business Online?
To begin, it’s important to understand that online marketing is all about creating a balance between stimulating interest and engaging with a potential audience through various platforms.
If you’ve never marketed online before, then it can be difficult to know where to start. To create an effective strategy, it’s important to take a step back and examine your strengths and weaknesses. With this in mind, you can begin to form a clear picture of where you need to invest your time and effort.
To get started, it’s important to establish a benchmark of what constitutes a successful online marketing campaign. The truth is, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to marketing online. What works for one business may not work for another.
That being said, here are some basic benchmarks to measure your progress:
Reach
The first and most basic benchmark is to examine your reach. How many people did you reach through your different forms of online marketing?
To start, look at your website. Did you get the interest you were looking for? If not, then it’s time to find out why not and fix the problem. To get more people interested in your product or service, you need to create content that is both informative and engaging. If you want to grow your fashion blog, for example, you’ll likely need to create video tutorials, share fashion tips, and establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your niche.
Click-Through Rates (CTR)
The second and most basic benchmark is to examine the CTR. How many people did you actually click on an ad, link, or social media post?
To start, look at your website. Did you get the interest you were looking for? If not, then it’s time to find out why not and fix the problem. To get more people interested in your product or service, you need to create content that is both informative and engaging. If you want to grow your fashion blog, for example, you’ll likely need to create video tutorials, share fashion tips, and establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your niche.
Conversions
The third and most basic benchmark is to examine the conversions. How many people did you bring into your store, registered for a blog or newsletter sign-up, or made a purchase after being exposed to your online marketing?
To start, look at your website. Did you get the interest you were looking for? If not, then it’s time to find out why not and fix the problem. To get more people interested in your product or service, you need to create content that is both informative and engaging. If you want to grow your fashion blog, for example, you’ll likely need to create video tutorials, share fashion tips, and establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your niche.
Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)
The fourth and most basic benchmark is to examine the cost per acquisition. How much did each form of online marketing (including adverts, offers, & social media) cost you to acquire a new customer?
To start, look at your website. Did you get the interest you were looking for? If not, then it’s time to find out why not and fix the problem. To get more people interested in your product or service, you need to create content that is both informative and engaging. If you want to grow your fashion blog, for example, you’ll likely need to create video tutorials, share fashion tips, and establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your niche.
Profit vs. Loss
The fifth and most basic benchmark is to examine your profit vs. loss. Are you making enough money to cover the costs of your expenses? Or are you spending more than you’re earning?
To start, look at your website. Did you get the interest you were looking for? If not, then it’s time to find out why not and fix the problem. To get more people interested in your product or service, you need to create content that is both informative and engaging. If you want to grow your fashion blog, for example, you’ll likely need to create video tutorials, share fashion tips, and establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your niche.
The reason why these benchmarks are so important is that, as a business owner, you’re ultimately responsible for ensuring that the money you’re spending on marketing is, in fact, bringing in the desired results.