March 24, 2020
You don’t need to drop a fortune to effectively promote your business online, but it does help to be smart about it. There are a variety of free and low-cost ways to get your company noticed on the internet by potential customers and attract repeat business. Let’s get started!
1. Make a marketing plan.
Save time and money by creating thought-out, structured marketing plan. Define your marketing strategy and budget before doing any marketing activities. Identify who your ideal prospects are and the best way to reach them. It’s crucial to be specific as possible to stay on target.
2. Have a working website.
Whether your site is a simple template or custom-built, it’s essential that it has a responsive design (i.e. it performs and looks good across mobile devices and desktop computers). A responsive site provides a better user experience which will help keep visitors on your site, thereby increasing the chances of a ‘conversion’ such as a product purchase, contact form submission, demo request, and more.
3. Create quality, shareable content.
Creating content like blog articles, videos, infographics, and guides is a great way to inform prospects about your products/services as well as improve your site’s visibility in search engine results. Create content that is helpful to customers at different stages of the buying cycle or provides tips and tricks on getting the most out of your products/services.
3. Optimize your site.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a site, web page, or online content so search engines show it as a top result for searches of a certain word or phrase, known as a ‘keyword.’ Appearing in top search results brings free, passive traffic to your site, attracting more customers, generating leads, etc. Although it requires some technical knowledge, there are many free or affordable learning resources available online.
4. Set up a Google My Business listing.
‘Google My Business’ is a free directory listing service that Google offers. Not only does a Google business listing establishes your presence on the popular search engine, but it’ll also allow your business to show up on Google Maps and appear in search results on all devices. Your business may even appear in the sidebar space (known as a ‘local pack’) of a Google search which is prime real estate.
5. Be active on social media.
Set up a business profile on social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Include a high-quality profile photo, description, keywords, and a link to your site. Don’t just post content – create meaningful engagement with your target audience. Join groups or conversations that talk about your type of products or services, but make sure not to be spammy and constantly plugging your product/service. Instead, focus on adding real value to the online discourse.
6. Use email marketing.
Do you have an email marketing list? If so, send out a newsletter and/or promotional offers to attract customers and prospects. Build your email list by giving something away like a free ebook or offering an incentive like a discount.
7. Implement an affiliate marketing program.
Affiliate marketing is a great way to sell your products by having individuals or companies market your products for some sort of commission. This process can also be useful for a business who might be looking for additional products to offer but don’t produce the products themselves. Make sure your pricing structure takes into account the fees or commissions your business will have to pay on any sales that are made.
8. Cross-promote with other businesses.
Partnering with other businesses who serve the same market but sell different products and services than yours is an effective way to expose your business to a new yet relevant audience. Cross-promotion is a mutually beneficially tactic that can increase sales, leads, referrals, and email lists.
Promote Your Business with Digital Marketing
Digital marketing offers a variety of opportunities to effectively promote a business online, whether you have a big or small budget. At Sales & Marketing Technologies, we take a comprehensive approach to digital marketing to create customized solutions to ensure your business gets noticed and attracts your target audience. Call (407) 682-2222 or use the contact form below to schedule a free 30-minute strategy session!