Ok…we know you’re awesome, but do your prospects?
If there’s one thing we learned about digital marketing from COVID-19, it is that everyone everywhere turns to the internet and social media to stay engaged and informed.
Digital marketing is important for every business, especially small business, and especially during a pandemic.
Why? Because 89% of Americans are online, which includes your consumers and prospects. And, communities are showing online love like never before for their local small businesses.
We’ve learned during COVID-19 that upgrading our technology and digital marketing is a necessity, not a luxury.
Whether you have a brick-and-mortar or virtual office, small business owners are scrambling to figure out how to engage with their target audience through digital marketing. And if you don’t, rest assured your competitors will.
Traditional advertising may help trickle in some business, but the online marketplace provides tremendous benefits for small businesses everywhere:
What is digital marketing?
In a nutshell, digital marketing is the use of technology via the internet, mobile devices, search engines, social media, and other online channels to reach consumers.
The main components of digital marketing are:
Website Design
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Content marketing (i.e. Blogs)
Social media marketing
Email marketing
There are others as well, including paid advertising.
Benefits of digital marketing
Another lesson learned during COVID-19 is that many small businesses either pivot, adapt or die.
The good news is you can reach a larger group of people, in a smaller timeframe, than you are likely to attract with traditional advertising. And, it’s more cost-effective and measurable.
Online marketing also allows you to interact more effectively with customers and prospects to learn what their needs and expectations are. It also helps to build your business brand and a loyal, dedicated following.
Your customers are online
It’s been said that nearly 90% of Americans are online today. And, they are actively searching for products and services just like yours. If they can’t find you, they will most likely go to your competitor.
Consumers are not only interested in what you sell, but they are curious about who you are, and what you stand for. Online research is typically the first tool they use to engage with a new business. Also, if they can’t find you online, they may conclude that your business is not credible or legitimate, and may quickly go elsewhere.
Your competitors are online
I always say that a successful business knows its competition and is able to clearly define what makes them different and why consumers should buy from them vs. their competitor.
If prospects search online for similar businesses and find your competitor everywhere, but not you, you are losing that potential client.
It’s important to note the web is an amazing resource to quickly gather market intelligence about your industry and competition…find out what they are doing right and wrong, and exploit those areas accordingly to do it better.
Customers come to you
The reach of your marketing can go far beyond your four walls.
The goal of digital marketing is to reach and attract customers that you would have never known about. The beauty of digital marketing is that customers come to you, through Google searches, social media, blogging and more. And your products or services are accessible 24×7.
When done right, your digital marketing becomes your virtual sales force and storefront.
It’s all about working smarter not harder and letting customers come to you.
Source: Digital Marketing Institute
FREE eGuide
If you’re one of the many small businesses needing to up your digital game, we can help.
Web design is the foundation for digital marketing, and that’s why we created our FREE e-guide Before hiring a web designer, read this!
This includes the top 10 questions every small business owner should ask.
Sign-up for our eNews and you’ll instantly receive our FREE eGuide as your gift.
If you’re already an eNews subscriber and don’t have the eGuide, simply email me at kathy@excellermarketing.com and I’ll send it to you.
This is our way of helping small businesses, and paying-it-forward.
We’re here to help…
As always, we welcome you to reach out to us for more information, as well as a FREE, no-obligation consultation.
Best regards, until next time!
Kathy Argyros
Founder and Chief Consultant
Exceller Marketing, Inc.
914-450-9149
kathy@excellermarketing.com
excellermarketing.com
Exceller Marketing is a boutique-style, full-service web design and digital marketing agency in Westchester County, NY. We empower small businesses and entrepreneurs with outstanding web design and expert digital marketing services that keep our clients ahead of their competition.
