The way we communicate has changed. With the click of a button, someone far away can engage with us, order a pizza, or catch the latest blockbuster. In fact, the possibilities are endless.
Your business might be able to take advantage of the digital age and the connectivity it provides. However, to do so, you need to learn how to market your business online.
In this article, we will discuss five ways you can market your business online, including:
1. Create a website
A website is a must for any business, but especially one that wants to market itself online. A static website is simply one that is online-only and contains no content that updates regularly. These types of websites are the static versions of a blog, for example, and can be pretty easy to create. They don’t require much effort and can be used to launch your business.
The advantages of a static website are numerous. Not only do they not require much effort to maintain, but they also provide you with a way to expose your business to the masses. When someone arrives at your site, they will not have the opportunity to leave without purchasing your product or service. Since the website is not changing, you can be sure that every visitor will have the same experience and that you can track analytics to determine which methods work best for your business.
2. Build a community
Having a strong presence on social media is essential for any business, especially one that wants to market itself online. Whether you have a single Facebook page, a Twitter account, or a LinkedIn profile, you need to have a presence on at least two of the platforms. Why? Well, people use multiple social media platforms, so having accounts on all of them allows you to target the right audience, get your content in front of the right people, and connect with them.
To create a social media community for my roofing company, for example, I use Hootsuite. With this tool, I can create groups for different types of content (i.e., blogs, Q&As, etc.), and then I can use those groups to target the right audience for my business, engage with them, and create connections.
3. Start a blog
A blog is a powerful way to attract potential customers to your business. Not only do they provide you with endless content to draw on, but they also give you the ability to connect with your audience and create credibility. Starting a blog does not require a lot of investment and can be done so for free.
To put it simply, a blog is like a miniature website that you can update frequently and with minimal effort. If you’re looking for ways to market your business, a blog provides you with endless possibilities.
The most important thing to keep in mind when starting a blog is to make sure that you have something to say. If you don’t have a unique angle or compelling content, then you might end up just wasting your efforts. Make sure that your content is useful, interesting, or entertaining. Ideally, you would like to have all three.
Also, make sure that your blog posts are of good quality. If you’re using a free blog service, you might be using a platform that provides you with free blogging templates. If you’re finding the content already written for you, take the time to proofread and edit the posts before you publish them.
4. Post on social media
To have a strong business presence on social media, you need to be on at least two platforms. When people see your name in their feeds, it will prove that you are an established figure in your industry, which in turn, might earn you some credibility. To start, try posting on the most popular social media platforms, like Twitter and Instagram.
If you have a business account on those platforms, with a few easy clicks, you can share your content with your audience, engage with them, and grow your following.
Besides, whenever you post on social media, you are also “voting” for that business. If a user likes your tweet, then they might also like the products or services that you are recommending. As a business owner, it’s important to make sure that you are showcasing your community of satisfied customers. When people see that you’re providing value and that your products or services are meeting the needs of your audience, they are more likely to buy from you.
5. Start a hashtag campaign
If you have a large following on social media, you can use those platforms to your advantage and promote your business, products, and services. To do this, you need to understand the basics of hashtags. A hashtag is a keyword or phrase used to categorize and search for content on social media. If you want to market your roofing company, you could create a hashtag such as #roofingpro. When others on social media see this hashtag, they will know that they can find your content, as long as they’re using relevant keywords.
Start small. For my roofing company, I created a hashtag for our blogs. For instance, if I post about a hot topic, I might use the hashtag #HotTips to encourage others to comment and share their thoughts. When someone does, I can see how many times that hashtag was used and how many people are engaging with my content, simply by logging into my Hootsuite dashboard.
The best thing about a hashtag is that you don’t need to have a large following to benefit from it. Even if you have one or two loyal customers, you can create a hashtag that will help you connect with people who are interested in what you have to say.
When others on social media see your hashtag, they will know that you’re trying to promote content about a certain topic. For instance, if someone is searching for roofing companies in New York City, they might see your hashtag and think that you’re offering roofing services in the city.
To make sure that your content is found when someone is searching for it, look at how often your hashtag is being used on social media. If you notice that it isn’t being generated much interest, then you might consider creating a new hashtag. Alternatively, you could focus on growing your existing audience and adding value to their lives. In the case of my roofing company, the hashtag has helped us connect with people who are interested in our services, in a city where we don’t have a physical location.
Remember: content is king
The content that you create, whether it is a blog post, a video, or a podcast will form the backbone of your marketing efforts. To build a trustworthy brand, you must make sure that your content is of good quality and that you are consistently putting out new content, especially since users can be attracted to the same piece of content, multiple times, if it is interesting or entertaining.
Besides, to remain credible, you must be seen to be active and involved in your industry. By attending and participating in conferences, listening to podcasts, and joining (or creating) forums, you can show that you’re doing your research, keep current with the latest trends and advancements, and connect with industry experts, all of which may impress your customers, and even potential new customers.