Almost every business today has a website. And while that website is a great way to provide information about who you are, what you do, and how to contact you, there are other online tools you can use to help your business grow. Moreover, it is the primary tool for a company’s online presence.
Why is online presence so significant for businesses? Here are some statistics to back it up:
- 97% of consumers search for local businesses online.
- 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
- 47% of consumers start their purchase process with a search engine.
- 60% of small businesses don’t have a website.
- Social media drives 31% of all website traffic.
- Content marketing generates 3x more leads than paid search advertising.
As you can see, having a solid online presence is essential for any business looking to grow its customer base and increase sales. Using the right tools and strategies, you can reach more potential customers and connect with them in a way that builds trust and credibility. However, it will be necessary to identify those tools. Here are a few to consider.
Social Media
Your website might be the foundation of your online presence, but social media is the house that sits on top of it. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn provide a way to connect with current and potential customers more informally than your website. This allows you to build relationships with them and create trust. And when used correctly, social media can also help you attract new customers.
For example, if you have a Facebook page for your business, you can share updates about your products and services, post photos and videos, run contests and giveaways, and more. The key is to post relevant content to your target audience that will interest them. You also want to ensure that your social media profiles are correctly branded and that the information is up to date.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
If you want people to find your website, you must ensure it is correctly optimized for search engines. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the ranking of your website in search results. The higher your website ranks, the more likely people find it when searching for something related to your business. And when people do find your website, you want to ensure they stay there and take action.
You can do several things to optimize your website for search engines, including keyword research, optimizing site content, and building backlinks. You can also pay for advertising to get your website in front of more potential customers. The important thing is to make sure you are using the right keywords and that your website is easy to navigate.
Unfortunately, SEO specialists are some of the most in-demand and expensive digital marketing professionals. As a result, many small businesses need help to hire someone full-time. However, there are ways to get around this. You can partner with an award-winning London-based SEO agency to help you pursue better visibility for your business.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with current and potential customers. It allows you to send them updates about your products and services, as well as special offers and discounts. You can also use email to build customer relationships by sending them helpful information or inviting them to events.
You should target your email marketing campaign to the right people to be effective. You need a list of email addresses for people interested in your offer. You can get this list by collecting emails from people visiting your website or buying a list from a third-party provider. Once you have a list, you must create engaging email content and ensure your emails are correctly delivered.
Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising allows companies to market products and services on top of search engines, as well as other websites that their audiences frequent. When someone clicks on one of your ads, you pay the amount you bid for that keyword or phrase. PPC can be an effective way to attract new customers and grow your business.
To succeed with PPC, you must choose the right keywords and create well-written ads. You also need to track your results to see which keywords and ads are working and adjust your campaign accordingly. PPC can be complex, so hiring a professional to manage your campaign might be helpful.
Final Thoughts
Digital marketing is essential for any business that wants to create a solid online presence. There are many different digital marketing channels, and each has its benefits. The key is to find the right mix of media for your business and use them effectively.
When used correctly, digital marketing can help you attract new customers, build relationships with them, and grow your business.