Small businesses are the engine of our economy. Each year nearly 30 per cent of private-sector workers are employed by small businesses. Small businesses also contribute to innovation, accounting for a big fraction of all research and development spending, which is twice as much as their share of employment.
However, there are difficulties inherent in running a small business that makes attracting customers difficult. For example, they don't have the marketing budgets of large companies and major brands. What they can do, though, is turn to digital marketing to expand their company's reach. Digital marketing is cheap, efficient, and valuable. So without further ado, here are the ways digital marketing can be used wisely by small businesses to compete with larger companies.
Email marketing is a powerful tool for small businesses because it's economical and effective, which means money can be saved by not using other types of advertising while still getting the word out about your company. It is also a great way to create a personal connection with customers since it's simple and direct.
Social media offers a way for small businesses to connect with their customers, and the cost of entry is tremendously low. According to Adweek magazine, "for just $75 you can create a custom Facebook page that rivals most professionally designed sites." The huge potential audience also makes this platform very attractive. Social media allows for instant customer feedback, making it an ideal place to get ideas on how to improve your product or service.
The most important thing small businesses can do online is to create their own website. It's the hub of all their digital marketing efforts and provides the most in-depth information about their company. "When people search for products and services online, they go to a website first," according to Mashable. "If you have a site but not much traffic, it's as if your storefront is empty." Blogging or vlogging on your site allows customers to get a deeper look into the philosophy of your small business and will lead to more engagement.
Making videos is becoming easier and easier with the rise of smartphones, as well as free editing software like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. "When it comes to marketing, people are more likely to pay attention to videos than anything else," says Mashable. Learning how to shoot engaging videos can be time-consuming, but it's worth the effort. Video marketing is likely to get more important in the future, according to Digital Trends.
Search engine optimization is one of the most effective ways for small businesses to get their name out there. "It allows your site to appear at or near the top of the results for relevant searches," says Mashable. The cost is also incredibly low compared to other digital marketing strategies, which makes it a no-brainer.
Social analytics is a small business's best friend. It provides immediate feedback on the performance of social media marketing and helps you to increase your return on investment from advertising. You can find out what kinds of posts get popular, which platforms perform better than others, and other valuable information that allows you to become more effective in your digital marketing.
Data tools help you identify your best leads, allowing you to put your marketing budget towards the channels that yield results. Such data is crucial for businesses, but many only use the information they have available to them to back their decisions. However, all of this information is now available with a quick Google search. You can find out what your competitors are doing, identify key influencers in your industry, and discover the best time of day to reach potential customers.
By utilizing these digital marketing tactics, small businesses will be able to compete with larger companies online, being as it is As more people turn to the internet for shopping and customer service, it has become increasingly important for small business owners to make their presence known online.
If you need help setting up an online presence for your company and generating an innumerable amount of leads, contact us at We Love Digital Marketing. We will help you reach the top of your industry using only white hat digital marketing strategies. This will save you major time and money in the long run, and create a smooth transition into the digital age. Our services include email marketing, social media marketing, and many of the other ones listed above. So if you're a small company looking to make it big in this competitive world, we have your back. Our services are also priced extremely low, so you will get top-notch results at the lowest level of expense possible!
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