How to lay the foundations for an online marketing strategy
An online marketing strategy is really a misnomer; it should simply be called marketing.
Everything is done online these days; every business has a website and every ad you see on TV will have a web address at the bottom of the screen.
Online marketing, digital marketing, internet advertising… whatever you want to call it, is now the main outlet for a business to sell itself.
Easily the cheapest, fastest, and simplest way to reach the largest number of potential customers, any start-up business must have the basics of internet marketing right if they are to succeed online.
Make sure your website is SEO ready
Long gone are the days when you can make a simple website that looks pretty, and that’s enough to make an impact online. To be competitive in today’s digital world, you need to have your site optimised for search engines.
And by search engines, we mean Google.
There are around 3.5 billion searches online every single day, and 3 out of 4 of those are through Google. That figure goes up to 90% when talking about mobile devices.
Google exists to answer people’s questions, and the company prides itself on giving the correct answer. That’s why its ever-evolving and incredibly complex algorithms only show websites that have put the work in.
If you have optimised every page on your site, crossed your T’s and dotted your I’s, then you will have a better chance of ranking with the search engine giant than a rival who hasn’t.
Set up analytics to track what’s happening
If you are trying to get from A to B, then you need to know where A is to begin with!
It is important to set up a Google Analytics account from the start, which at the very least will tell you how many people are visiting your site.
Google Analytics will show you everything, from how your visitors found your website, which page they landed on, where in the world they are, and how much time they spent on each page.
As the days, weeks, and months pass by, you can see the changes you are making in real terms, how they are affecting visitors, conversions, and bottom line sales.
As you grow in Google’s search result rankings, you should see a growth in sales – if not, there’s a problem you need to fix. Or if you try a Google AdWords campaign, tracking the analytics can show you if it was worth it in the end by comparing money spent to money earned.
There is no point in making changes if you can’t measure the results, and Google analytics is the perfect way to do it.
Set up social media profiles
If you’re not used to social media, or you’ve only got a personal Facebook account you never really use, then it may come as a shock to learn every business should have a strong social media presence.
Which platform you use will depend on your type of business, but Facebook and Twitter accounts are essential. Other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn should be considered, but again, if you’re selling T-shirts to teenagers, you’re not going to need a LinkedIn account.
Through social media accounts, you can connect with your customers on a much more personal level. An online presence helps build trust and brand loyalty, giving you a chance to engage with people, something you couldn’t normally do. This helps you gain a better understanding of your clients, how you can adapt to their needs, and grow as a business.
Social media platforms are also great ways to drive sales. Facebook’s Sponsored Posts and Twitter’s Marketing Campaigns are two of the most popular ways to market your products and services. These allow you to target specific demographics, showing your products to the people most likely to be interested. This stops you wasting money on ads for people who have no intention of buying what you’re selling.
It takes time and effort to get it right
Nothing worth doing is easy as they say, and having a successful website is no different. If you want the rewards, you must put in the work to get them.
Getting things right from the start may take time, and it can be frustrating, but laying that initial groundwork will pay dividends in the long run.
Making sure your website is optimised, having your analytics configured, and building social media profiles are three basic ways to set your business up for a successful online marketing strategy.
If all of this is too time-consuming or not your area of expertise, then we’re here to help.
Whether you’re starting a new website or have an existing one which doesn’t seem to be doing much, we can help transform your digital presence and take your business to the next level.
Contact us today if you have any questions about online marketing, social media accounts, or Google optimisation, and let’s have a chat about how we can help you.
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With experience in everything from graphic design to teenage counseling, Gary finally settled on writing as his main weapon of choice. “But writing is just one part of this job, which is why I love it so much. It’s hard to get bored with so many irons in the fire. If I’m not researching an article, I’m on Social Media, or working behind the scenes to optimise a site for Google’s latest algorithms. I learn something new every day, and each day brings with it new challenges.”