Does your income derive from your business? If so, then you know how important it is to have the right systems in place. How you manage your financials, your operational procedures, the type of business structure you have—all are factors that determine your business’s success. However, while many people recognize these elements, they mistakenly overlook the importance of having the right digital systems in place. Digital marketing essentials such as SEO, social media, local business listing, newsletters, text message updates, and review reputation management all play an immense role in the success of your business. We’re currently living in a digital age, and if you’re not making use out of your entire toolbox, you’ll miss out on many opportunities. This blog will go over how digital marketing helps businesses grow and why you shouldn’t overlook it for a second.
SEO
With the evolution of modern technologies, businesses have to take action to keep up with change. In today’s world, not having an online presence is like not having one at all. With the majority of the planet searching for products and services online, not being there would be a terrible mistake. Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most powerful tools for capturing a fast-growing and profitable online market. If you have big plans for your business, then you must incorporate SEO into your marketing plan.
SEO is a set of practices that help websites gain more visibility on the search engine results pages (SERPs). By creating and publishing relevant content that focuses on topics related to your business—on a regular basis— you increase the chances of reaching out to your target audience via search engines. If your content is worth it, then search engines like Google will rank you higher. This helps you generate leads to your site at no extra cost. SEO is fundamental to any digital marketing strategy. However, if you want your business to really grow, you’ll have to do more than just SEO.
Social Media
No matter how big or small your business is, social media is an essential slice of your digital marketing pie. Social platforms help you connect with customers and increase awareness of your brand. The number of social media users only grows each day, so be sure to grab their attention. In simple terms, social media helps:
- Get Attention and Build Awareness – People can’t become your customer if they don’t know about your business. Social media boosts your visibility among potential customers, letting you reach out to a large audience.
- Communicate Authority – Setting up robust profiles and frequently updating with relevant content will build your brand’s authority and give potential customers a positive first impression. It is vital that you show that your business is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and approachable.
- Build Authenticity – Social media allows you to communicate what your brand voice sounds like. Showing authenticity is what differentiates you from the competition.
- Encourage Engagement – Social media allows people to see what other people are saying about your business. In fact, comments and likes on your products and services are big influencers for people. All in all, social media opens the conversation for instant interaction, relationship building, and customer loyalty.
Local Business Listings
Local business listings are online portfolios that contain vital information on your business, such as the name of the company, the address, phone number, hours, and other important data. Local business listing examples include Google my Business, Google Maps, Yelp, and Foursquare. You’ll want to make sure your business appears on these! Search engines pull information from these sites and display it under your web address under local search results.
Local Business listings provide customers the opportunity to leave a review. As shown by many studies, customers trust reviews almost as much as they would from a word-of-mouth recommendation. Encourage happy customers to share their experiences! This will do wonders for the growth of your business.
Newsletter & Text Message Updates
Email newsletters and text messaging updates offer an engaging way of getting content and information to interested customers. Customers like to know that you’re thinking about them. They want to be made aware of the latest things that are happening in your business. Why wouldn’t you keep them up to date if that’s what they want? Newsletters and text messages arrive as frequent reminders of your presence to your customers. They help keep your business in their heads.
While newsletters are effective in the way that people view them when they have time, text messages promote immediate action, helping your customers not forget about you. The best digital strategy would use both email and text messaging to stay connected to customers.
Review Reputation Management
Reputation management works to counter, weaken, and eliminate negative material of your business and promote the positive. As previously mentioned, reviews play an immense role in your brand’s image, so it is essential that you maintain a vigilant review reputation management plan. Things like replying to customer reviews show people that you care about their thoughts and opinions. As we all know, negative reviews can shockingly affect your business. That is why it is essential that businesses identify what is being said about them online and figure out a way they can improve the way people perceive them. Digital marketing allows you to interact with customers and enhance your brand’s image. The end result of a good review reputation management is higher trust from your customers, fewer risks, and higher profit.
Expand Your Outreach
While the good old word of mouth strategy still plays an important role in getting the word out of your company, businesses with a well-planned digital marketing plan have access to reaching out to millions of people. Anyone who uses the internet is a potential customer to your business, and if you don’t have our business easily seen in this realm, you’re going to be missing out big time.
If a company lacks a solid digital footprint, it drastically impedes its ability to communicate with existing customers and find new ones. The absence of a digital presence leads to a lack of trust in the brand, inhibiting its growth significantly. However, if a company incorporates a robust digital marketing plan that covers areas such as SEO, social media, local business listings, newsletters, text message updates, and review reputation management, it can experience booming growth. We hope this blog helps you see how digital marketing helps businesses grow. The world is headed to a digitalized future; use it to your advantage and plan out a digital marketing plan that will bring you to the top. If ready to initiate a resilient digital marketing plan, give Fotex Labs a call at (858) 228-7697 or click here to get in contact with us!
