Every entrepreneur dreams of becoming their own boss, having complete control over their working hours and being able to set their own prices. Although there is no way to know for sure, it is safe to assume that few of them achieve this dream. Why? Because there are just too many barriers in the way. Working remotely, generating sales, and scaling a business all require a lot of flexibility, and the only way to get this is by combining multiple jobs. So although being your own boss sounds appealing, for most entrepreneurs, it’s just not possible.
Fortunately, there are alternatives. If you’re looking for ways to market your product or service, you can do so online. This blog post will introduce you to five of the best methods for online marketing, as chosen by digital marketing agency Sumo.
1. Create online stores
In the age of QR codes and affiliate marketing, creating an online store is a surefire way to attract potential customers. As the name would suggest, an online store offers all the functionality of a normal retail store online. You can offer products ranging from clothing, accessories, and gadgets to food and drink, as well as all the necessary accessories to facilitate online shopping (e.g., virtual wallets, etc.).
The best part of creating an online store is that you can do so at no cost. You don’t even need a website to launch one; you can simply use Shopify, which offers a free trial. You can also find a variety of e-commerce templates in Adobe Muse, which you can use to build your site. If you’re looking for a complete turnkey solution, you can’t miss out on Shopify, which provides all the functionality you need to get started to build an online store.
2. Use affiliate marketing to promote online stores
The advantage of having an online store is that you can use the platform to promote your product or service. You can use affiliate marketing to monetize your site and allow others to promote your products for you. In exchange, you’ll earn a commission when a user makes a purchase after clicking a link or video on your site.
There are two ways to effectively use affiliate marketing. You can either use a standalone affiliate marketing program, such as Uber Affiliate Marketing, which offers a variety of revenue-sharing opportunities. Or you can use a tool, such as Linky, designed to make it simple to create affiliate marketing links, tracks sales, and allows you to automate tasks, such as pitching products to potential customers and tracking the results.
3. Use social media to promote your online store
With millions of users, it’s safe to assume that most entrepreneurs are at least vaguely familiar with the term “social media.” Although the landscape of social media has changed since its inception in the early 2000s, with companies pivoting from glorifying celebrities to connecting with customers, many entrepreneurs see the potential in using social media to promote their online stores.
One of the primary advantages of using social media to promote your online store is that you’re not committing to a long-term contract. You can either opt-in for a basic account or use a free trial to see how the platform works for you.
To get started, find a social media platform that suits your audience (e.g., Snapchat for casual users, Shopify for entrepreneurs, and Instagram for fashion lovers). Create content that is relevant to your target audience and use relevant hashtags so that your content reaches the right audience.
4. Use SEO to promote your online store
“Search engine optimization” is the practice of getting your website to show up prominently in search results for relevant “keywords” (e.g., “marketing plan” or “How to measure the success of a marketing campaign”).
Getting your site to show up in search results is relatively easy. All you need to do is create content that is relevant to your target audience and use relevant keywords in your copy.
There are different types of SEO. You can do “on-page SEO,” which is mostly handled by you as an entrepreneur, or hire an expert to handle it for you. Off-page SEO includes things like blog posts, social media, and other platforms that you or your expert may consider for content. Off-page SEO varies from keyword to keyword, so if you’re looking for a quick fix, you may end up paying a lot for short-term results.
5. Use Live Chat
If your customers have questions about your products or services, you can use live chat software to engage with them. Customers can either use the live chat utility on your site or click a button and an agent will walk them through the ordering process.
Not all live chat software is made equal. Some offer more functionality than others, so use the features that are important to you and ignore the rest. Don’t get sucked into paying for extra features that you don’t need.
As an entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate. You’re not just responsible for creating a product, but also for marketing and selling it. Although it’s not possible to do it all alone, taking time to learn new methods and strategies can help you be more effective. Not sure where to start? Look no further. This final guide will help you find the best fit for your business and offer tips on how to succeed as an entrepreneur.