How Online Marketing Can Help You Make More Sales
So, you want to bring your small business online and be more competitive. It has come to your attention that by not going online, your business is put at a disadvantage. You find yourself left behind by your competitors, and your business goes downhill.
The problem, however, is learning how to start building your online business and choosing a suitable online marketing strategy. More importantly, you need to know how to choose a marketing strategy that falls within your budget.
The problem, however, is learning how to start building your online business and choosing a suitable online marketing strategy. More importantly, you need to know how to choose a marketing strategy that falls within your budget.
The Art and Science of Online Marketing
Before you can choose your search engine optimization strategy, you have to be familiar with what SEO is.
You can view search engine optimization in MB CA as both an art and a science. As an art, SEO or online marketing entails the right mix of strategies that your target audience will find attractive. When the right mix is achieved and captures the attention of your market, this converts into sales.
As a science, online marketing involves research and analysis in choosing your marketing strategy and in measuring the performance of the strategies used.
Words like “research” and “analysis” may seem overwhelming, but there’s no need to worry. There are, after all, tools from the web that you can use. Even with these solutions though, you’ll have to make sure that the strategies you use are aligned with your business goal.
Basic online marketing strategies
You are fortunate that it is now possible to choose from proven local search engine marketing strategies. The challenge is in getting the right mix what would advance your business.
If you wish to go the paid route, there are two options available to you:
Google AdWords tops the list when it comes to pay-per-click marketing. In this strategy, you choose a keyword associated with your product or service. When customers search on Google using your keyword, your ad appears beside the search results.
Participating in social media, however, requires a different approach from advertising and other strategies. In social media, the trick is to converse in an intelligent and engaging manner, instead of outright advertising your product or service.
The advantage of using social media is that it’s free and has the potential to increase awareness of your brand. The disadvantage is that it eats into your time. Social media participation demands effort if you are to see concrete results from it.
Basic online marketing strategies
You are fortunate that it is now possible to choose from proven local search engine marketing strategies. The challenge is in getting the right mix what would advance your business.
- Blog or website. Establishing a base on the web is necessary. Having a blog or a website provides your audience with an address, which makes it convenient to find your product or service and to make references to you – two things that matter most for your marketing efforts. Actually, having both a blog and a website is an advantage for small businesses. With regular and updated posts on your blog, you are able to gain followers, who in turn, can refer potential customers to your site.
- Online advertising. Online advertising can either be paid or unpaid advertising. Many online business owners prefer the unpaid option, which is understandable. Unpaid advertising, however, takes longer to provide noticeable results compared to paid advertising.
If you wish to go the paid route, there are two options available to you:
- CPM (cost for per thousand impressions). This type of advertising is where you buy a space on a webpage. You pay for the number of impressions or displays your product or service gets on a web page. The banners you see displayed on websites are examples of CPM.
- CPC (cost-per-click) is where you pay for the number of clicks your ad received from customers.
Google AdWords tops the list when it comes to pay-per-click marketing. In this strategy, you choose a keyword associated with your product or service. When customers search on Google using your keyword, your ad appears beside the search results.
- Directory Listings. Make an effort to include your website in local directories and business listings appropriate to your business or industry. In addition, most business groups have their own websites, and having your site listed on these hubs may prove advantageous.
- Participate in social media. Participating in social media (like Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, and even YouTube) as well as making comments on other people's blog are effective online marketing strategies.
Participating in social media, however, requires a different approach from advertising and other strategies. In social media, the trick is to converse in an intelligent and engaging manner, instead of outright advertising your product or service.
The advantage of using social media is that it’s free and has the potential to increase awareness of your brand. The disadvantage is that it eats into your time. Social media participation demands effort if you are to see concrete results from it.
- Online networking. This strategy is effective in connecting people. If you join a networking site, like LinkedIn, you gain support and information from other people, which you can leverage for your success.
- Email Marketing. Email marketing is a powerful online marketing strategy. Having an email list means you have obtained these people’s permission to communicate your message. It also means these people are interested in what you have to offer. Another advantage of email marketing is the opportunity to build and strengthen the relationship with your customers, increasing your chances for repeat sales.
Conclusion
For your online marketing efforts to succeed, you need to have a plan. And, that plan should include all the strategies you’ll be using to boost your business online. Plan your marketing campaign and check its performance regularly. Remember to identify your target market so you can align your online marketing strategies with the needs and preferences of your audience.
For your online marketing efforts to succeed, you need to have a plan. And, that plan should include all the strategies you’ll be using to boost your business online. Plan your marketing campaign and check its performance regularly. Remember to identify your target market so you can align your online marketing strategies with the needs and preferences of your audience.