There are numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs to succeed online, with the digital marketing industry alone predicted to hit £16 billion in 2022. As well as being a lucrative career option, many see digital marketing as a means of inspiring social change, enabling them to work remotely and be their own boss. If you’re looking to start an online marketing business, read on to discover everything you need to know.

The Opportunity

The global economy is in the midst of a significant shift, with businesses operating remotely more prominent than ever before. As a result, the demand for digital marketing professionals is soaring, presenting a lucrative opportunity for those wanting to make the switch to an online marketing career.

A 2019 report from Digital Marketing Summit UK found that while 13% of businesses are considering making the switch to an online marketing role, 18% are still struggling to find the right person for the job. This is in contrast to earlier in the decade, when many businesses were wary of committing to remote working and the flexibility it offers.

The ability to work remotely gives you full control over your working habits, enabling you to maximise profitability while minimising costs. Many entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of remote working to establish their own empires, with Wistia reporting that 66% of businesses rely on remote workers to get the job done.

The Requirements

In order to qualify as a legal entity, a business must have a corporate identity, a registered agent, and a website. Fortunately, the process of establishing these elements is straightforward and can be completed in a matter of hours, with many companies offering corporate identity packages and website builders that can be used to launch a business online in no time at all.

While many see online marketing as a distinct career path from traditional marketing, having worked in traditional marketing myself, I can attest that many of the essentials required to succeed in an online marketing role are also vital to a business who wants to succeed in a traditional marketing role.

Access To The Major Online Forums

One of the primary advantages of operating online is the relative ease of access to a global audience, with the audience potentially being anyone, anywhere in the world. This makes online marketing an ideal choice for businesses that want to break global, as you have the opportunity to target a potentially larger audience than you could ever reach locally.

One of the major drawbacks of operating online is the relative ease with which your activities can be monitored and/or misconstrued. It is essential to ensure that your business does not appear to be operated from behind a cloak of anonymity, with the International Academy Of Digital Marketing & Advertising (4A’s) reporting that 59% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product/service after viewing online reviews compared to those reading positive reviews elsewhere.

Skills

What are the skills you’ll need for an online marketing business? First, you’ll need to be confident using digital marketing tactics, including working with SEO, content strategy, and PPC in a way that brings in the customers. Second, you’ll need to be able to represent your business in a way that is professional yet personable, with all marketing materials – from websites and blogs to social media accounts – reflecting your company’s brand personality.

While many see digital marketing as a way of life that overrides traditional marketing, it is essential to ensure that your business does not become too esoteric, with too much focus on analytics and ROI. Instead, you want to position yourself as the go-to person for your industry, with an emphasis on building trust and connecting with your audience.

The Different Paths

If you’re considering an online marketing role, remember that not all digital marketing is created equal, with there being multiple paths you can take to become successful. For example, you can become an expert in SEO marketing or content strategy and then use that expertise to build a team of content creators or strategists.

From a personal perspective, I began my career in digital marketing relatively recently, completing an online marketing studies degree before taking on numerous roles in consultancy and digital marketing agencies. Looking back, I can see the transition to full-time consultancy as a pivotal point in my career, enabling me to build my own team and become highly adaptable.

If you’re keen to break into the field, now is a great time to do so, with many high-paying roles available and the demand for digital marketing professionals predicted to rise by 20% in the next two years.