Digital marketing is a fundamental component of any marketing strategy in the 21st century. It is evident that to succeed as a business in this day and age, you need to be online.
A great website, unfortunately, isn’t enough, however, pairing it with a strong marketing strategy is. Additionally, a strategic approach to marketing can save you time and money in the long run.
From social media to Google Ads the online marketing world can seem endless. So where should you start? We show you the top 6 digital marketing essentials to transform your business:
1. A Targeted Digital Marketing Strategy
Before diving into social media and the multitude of platforms available, you need to define your strategy.
Determine your target market, business goals and unique selling point (USP) from the get-go. This sets you in good stead for success. Along with this, determine what you wish to achieve, whether it’s brand awareness, website conversions, Instagram followers etc. Setting your goals is key to a successful long-term strategy.
Once you have your goals aligned, a digital marketing strategy can be created. This entails determining which platforms or channels to invest in for your goals and industry. Every post, blog and ad should have a purpose.
One advantage of going digital is that it’s malleable – it gives you the ability to mould your marketing to your specific business goals and budget.
2. Social Media Marketing
There are more than 3 billion people currently using social media; these people are also engaging with brands online. Improving your social media presence is a great way to target your audience. Not to mention, having a great social media presence legitimises your brand online – many people trust active brands more than inactive ones.
Firstly, determine which social media platforms to build on i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc. Then, there are two main ways to target your audience depending on the platform:
Posts: A regular posting schedule (about every second day) is optimal. The combination of exciting copy and imagery is essential in all social media posting.
Ads: Paid ad campaigns are ongoing ads which target custom audiences with varying objectives. For example, brand awareness, engagement, website traffic, direct messages etc. Audiences include a range of interests, locations, people who visit your website or even those who download your app. These ads allow you to reach as many potential customers as possible across the platform.
3. Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great way to formulate a database of customers interested in your business. Bi-monthly, weekly or even daily email newsletters are optimal for showcasing new products, imagery, blogs, announcements and more.
Additionally, newsletters can be linked to social media ads and your website. Not only this, newsletters reach an already engaged audience, so you know recipients are already interested in your business. Ultimately, they are more likely to engage in your content and even become repeat customers.
4. Content Creation (SEO)
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) organically improves your website’s rankings on global search engines. In effect, your website is more visible to your audience when they search for specific keywords online.
Targeted blog posts on your website are a great tool to better position your business on global search engines. Writing about relevant topics and including well-researched keywords aids in telling search engines, your website is relevant.
This process takes time, however, regular blogging is a great digital marketing tool. Over time, it will boost your online rankings, drive website traffic and increase brand awareness over time. It’s well worth the wait!
5. Google Ads
Google Ads are paid ads that boost your business’s website traffic, clicks and conversion rate while effectively raising brand awareness. Your business gets immediate visibility which increases the chances of high online conversion rates. Google Ads offers a pay-per-click (PPC) pricing model. This works in conjunction with pre-determined keywords that are bid for by the advertiser.
There are two Google Ads options available:
Search Network: These text ads display when someone searches keywords on Google. Ads link to different areas of your website (extensions). They also show headlines relating to your service and indicate your business contact number.
Display Network: Unlike search ads, these visual ads display on different websites across the web in the form of banners. They vary in size and are described as ‘passive’ advertising. Display ads are optimal for remarketing purposes – they engage your past website visitors.
6. Analytics
Analytics is an invaluable tool for your digital marketing strategy. Firstly, data from digital marketing platforms helps to understand how you perform according to your goals. Comparing your performance over time is essential in order to re-strategise. Secondly, analytics is collected in real-time, which allows you to monitor your goals and budget on a day-to-day basis.
Above all, analytics helps to understand your target audience and better connect with your customers.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level with digital marketing? B Online offers a comprehensive, expert digital marketing service that is guaranteed to drive your online success. Speak to us today!