Did you know that 97% of consumers use the Internet when shopping locally? The number is quite impressive but not surprising – after all, we live in the digital era.
It becomes imperative to build a powerful online presence these days to reinforce your brand and attract customers. If most consumers are online, why wouldn’t your business, too? Switching to an online environment gives you the chance to build a reputation and stand out from the crowd.
With all this market competitiveness, it’s crucial to make a difference, and it’s not so much the product you’re marketing but the way you do it. Give people relevant content, pay attention to their needs, and develop a strategic marketing plan – these are directly related to their buying journey.
Of course, time, effort, consistency, and commitment are required; no one says it’ll be easy, but with the right tactics and a marketing agency newcastle, you’ll make it.
We come to your aid, so here’s how you can stay on the consumer’s radar online:
Play the Long Game with SEO
Since most consumers turn to the Internet when searching for specific products or services, it’s vital for your business to rank high in search engine results. And that’s what SEO does. Search Engine Optimization has become a must for every entrepreneur wanting to hit their target market. Thanks to the organic methods used to increase your website traffic, SEO is a viable option for both large and small companies.
Depending on your business’s needs, you can choose between on-site SEO or off-site SEO. The former is related to the elements of your website, the content that consumers are going to see. Careful, though, ensure your HTML source code is well-formed before picking this method. On the other hand, the latter focuses on the more technical side – URL structuring, backlinks, and any other action taken outside your page.
If you don’t know what would be the best solution for your business, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. You can contact a seo agency London-based that will help you build a strong online presence based on your business’s particularities.
Create an Engaging Website
No matter the size of your business, having an engaging website should be at the top of your priorities list. A website is basically your online business card, so you should make it look appealing and informative enough to the consumers. Don’t undervalue the power of a well-functioning blog – it helps you make a good impression, uniquely tell your brand story, and grab the customers’ attention (existing and potential).
Ensure your website or business blog is user-friendly so that customers don’t lose valuable time searching for what interests them the most. Offer straight-forward information, enhance your page’s appearance with suggestive images, and opt for simple color contrasts. Believe it or not, simplicity is the key to gaining consumers’ trust. If you don’t have a website yet, don’t worry – it’s easier than it sounds to create one. You can use platforms such as WordPress and HubSpot to create a captivating, smooth-running website in a trice.
Staying relevant and providing visitors with fresh information is imperative, but so is optimizing your website for mobile devices. More and more people are now choosing to surf the web from their smartphones because it’s more practical and convenient, so you need to be sure they both access your page and have the most of their experience when looking for your business.
Analyze Your Results
Now that you’ve learned some tactics to boost your digital presence, tracking your results is crucial. This way, you see what works and what doesn’t so that you’ll be able to make changes to adjust to customers’ needs if necessary. However, results don’t come overnight; you need to be patient and do serious research before embarking on this long journey.
If you’re working with Search Engine Optimisation, you can analyze your results directly on Google. In this case, your website either appears in the first search engine results or not. If you want to track the number of your open and click-through rates, other metrics might be required.
You might find it helpful to collaborate with a digital marketing agency in this regard. Not only have you the chance to work with professionals, but you’ll also be able to test your strategies to see what is or isn’t working. Specialists will guide you in your digital marketing campaign and help you reach the best results in the shortest possible time.
Be Social (and Active)
In the digital era, it’s crucial to have a social media presence. According to Statista, 3.96 billion people worldwide are currently using social media, and their number will continue to grow so there’s an estimated number of 4.41 by 2025. So, where else to promote your business if not on social media? Sure, it’s essential to have a top-quality website, but if you can’t reach traffic, it’s all in vain. You should consider using social media channels to promote your page and increase brand awareness.
If you know your target audience, you should know which platforms they prefer, so don’t hesitate to get actively involved on those platforms. Creating a profile is not enough when it comes to effective social media marketing. You need to connect with your followers (who can be potential customers) and share powerful stories, relevant content, and eye-catching images. Don’t be afraid to go dynamic and consider sharing videos because users, especially millennials, appreciate in-motion content.
Apart from Facebook and Twitter, you can explore the benefits of Instagram marketing, mainly if your brand is focused on products such as jewelry or clothing – stunning photos will always attract customers. And don’t forget about TikTok – it gives people life-affirming trends and shapes shopping behavior.
In an equal manner, you can opt for influencer marketing. People with a strong reputation on social media can help you gain customers and increase brand visibility due to their impressive follower list. Whether you pay them for posts or stories, be sure they will make your products or services known to a number of people worldwide.
