A few years back, digital marketing was just a new and different way to advertise. However, today the importance of digital marketing has become something mandatory for both big and small businesses. Basically, it has become an essential part of what a business is for its customers.
The days of communication over TV and newspaper ads are slowly coming to an end. This is because digital marketing has a whole different approach and brands are constantly conversing with their audience, educating and nurturing them. Digital marketing is constantly evolving, and it is crucial for businesses to know the current trends and future ones if they want to stay up-to-date. It is not something exclusive that is only affordable for businesses with a lot of money, but small businesses can also use it too. For instance, digital marketing channels like social media, email marketing, and paid search are quite affordable.
The key thing to remember about digital marketing is that it is highly volatile, meaning that new approaches to existing methods and whole new methods are being developed every year.
In this article, you will find 5 digital marketing strategies that are essential for every small business.
1.Search engine optimization
The first and most important factor every small business should consider in an online marketing strategy is search engine optimization. First step is to analyze your current SEO situation. If you are not sure how to do that and you don’t want to waste your time browsing the Internet, think about taking professional small business SEO services.
Analyze your competition against other small businesses in order to have a better idea of how you’re ranked against everyone else. Apart from SEO, search engine marketing(SEM) is also crucial and useful for small business strategies. This engine will help place your website on top of the search engine, and this will give you a chance to compete with larger companies.
Keep in mind to pay attention to search engine marketing at the beginning stage of the process.
2.Content Marketing
This is also one of the most important marketing strategies for businesses. Your business website must appear in the search engine in the relevance of the keywords that are related to the purpose of your business. If this isn’t the case, your online content is of no use.
If your content isn’t optimized properly, your website may get high ranks in the search engine, however, it is of no use and it will only increase the bounce rate of your website. This can be a terrible sign for your business future.
For every website, a high bounce rate is a terrible sign. So, you need to market your content on different media platforms such as social media, blogs, forums and many more. Blogging is probably the best option as online marketing strategies go. You are able to write about different topics like descriptions of your business and the products and services you’re planning to sell.
3. Interactive content
Marketing experts claim that interactive content is more useful in educating customers than static content. Apart from this, marketers always need new data about their clients and the more they require from their clients the less they seem to get. Interactive content has proven itself to be the solution to this problem. By creating content such as quizzes and polls you can catch more user’s attention which in the end will provide you not just with data but most importantly relevant data. Also, it instantly provides you with feedback and not only will you be provided with info, but you will be able to create more target and useful content for your customers in the future.
Adding interactive content to your small business strategy will make it easier for you to effectively reach out to your audience, educate them and stimulate them to make a buying decision. For instance, if your company is launching a new product, and you want to spread the word out, then why not make a quiz with relevant answers that will lead customers to your website? Quizzes are also a great way to obtain your email-list and collect data from your customers. Also, customized coupons and content to the email IDs which are collected based on audiences answers.
Some other types of interactive content include calculators, games, infographics, and e-books.
These strategies can only be used, depending on what stage if the buyer’s journey your audience is in. If you want to create awareness, then contests and games will create a lot of value. When customers are in the consideration stage, ebooks, whitepaper, and calculators can make a difference. In the decision-making stage, configurations can help convert customers into making that final step.
4. Live and branded video
Experts say that by 2021, videos will account for 82% of consumer internet traffic and according to a study, 4 out of five consumers claimed that video demos are very helpful and believe that product video descriptions are necessary. Today, video marketing is no longer fixed and has become more engaging than ever. The most popular two ways of video marketing are branded and live videos.
Branded videos deliver a lot of information in a short period of time while also strengthening trust with their audience, and that’s why they are more powerful and generally covert better than basic text. If you’re a small retail business owner it is advised that you do the same.
The crucial part of your video should be the story you build around your customers.
Although” live video” is relatively new, it’s popularity is constantly growing and is expected to 13% of all video traffic by 2021. If your goal is to build a great relationship with your customers, then live video is probably one of the best strategies. You are able to interact with your customers by answering any questions live or even ask them to join the live video which creates social interactions and dynamics advertising never had before.
5. Email marketing
Email marketing is basically the easiest and cheapest online marketing strategy for small businesses, and to tell you the truth in most cases it actually works. Naturally, people will visit your stores both offline and online and all you have to do is to encourage them to get subscriptions. This way your customers will receive regular updates about your new products and services. Often, email marketing is being ignored but on the other hand, some people do take it seriously so never underestimate the power of a simple email. The best way to send emails containing updates about new products, sales, and offers is to make customers feel that they are in connection with your business. Most people show positive attitudes to companies that send them quality emails. Remember, the connection is the key.
Final word
It is vital that you stay consistent and persistent with your digital marketing strategies. Always try to put solid and sustained effort into your marketing techniques, and don’t worry if you don’t get an immediate response from your customers. Getting good results always takes time and so always keep on pushing forward and forward. A big part of success is always trial and error and your marketing success won’t happen overnight. Use this article to make the proper steps that will help you and your company avoid the mistakes others made.
Guest article written by: 
Emma Williams is an Australian writer with a master‘s degree in business administration, who has a passion for anything lifestyle and design related. She spends most of her time redecorating and participating in house projects. As a great nature lover, her biggest pleasure is spending time in a small cottage by the river. Twitter: @EmmaWilliams204
Nice article, Thank you for sharing such valuable information.
I was in search of such informative article and finally i land on the right place. Thank you for explaining this topic in such details