As a small business owner. it is becoming even more critical to ensure that your marketing strategy evolves with the times so you don’t get left behind. Everything and everyone is going digital, which means if you don’t cater to this new tech-savvy audience you are going to fall behind your competitors and lose a lot of potential customers.

What is Digital Marketing?

 

Digital marketing is the marketing and advertising of a business, person, product, or service using online channels, electronic devices, and digital technologies. A few examples of digital marketing include social mediaemail, pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), and more.

 

Why is digital marketing important for business?

 

When internet consumers are comparison shopping, they’ll look for a business that provides the best customer experience. Basic information like hours of operation, location, prices, special offers, and contact info should be easy to find. If customers don’t feel that your website is open at their convenience and on their terms, they will find another store.

That being said, online marketing is much more than a defensive play. It’s not just about keeping potential customers away from competitors. Instead, think of it as a proactive strategy that shows customers that you have thought about them and their purchase journey. An effective digital marketing strategy starts with making that journey as easy as possible, even for businesses that are not strictly focused on e-commerce.

digital marketing Belleville

Does digital marketing replace traditional marketing?

 

Embracing digital marketing doesn’t mean you need to abandon all traditional marketing efforts. Instead, leverage digital marketing to go deeper into traditional campaigns. Digital media such as videos, photos, and audio can provide context, depth, or clarity around the advertising claims you’ve already made.

 

What are the benefits of digital marketing? 

 

Digital marketing offers many advantages over traditional advertising methods, such as print ads and direct mail, billboards, TV and radio. It allows brands to do more with their resources while empowering the customer to do business with that brand on their terms. 

At a minimum, online marketing allows customers to find the information they need even after you’ve closed up shop for the night. It gives them the option to email questions at any time, rather than forcing them to call during business hours; it puts your interactions on their schedule and not the other way around. 

Done properly, digital marketing is a great way to build authority and brand awareness in the largest market on Earth: the Internet. Businesses can engage directly with their target audience through social media to learn exactly what consumers are looking for, and forge real relationships that create trust and brand loyalty. 

In short, the importance of digital marketing goes beyond making a sale; it is a long-term investment in the health and growth of your business. Here are some of the many benefits of adding digital strategies to your marketing plan:

 

1. Reach Your Target Customers 

Most of your customers are now online. According to Google, 76% of online users search for local businesses on their smartphones. Meanwhile, 28% of those searches result in a purchase.

Digital marketing helps you become more visible on search engines and social media platforms where potential consumers usually are. It enables you to target them based on age, gender, location, job, income level, interests, and more.  

If you have a brick-and-mortar business, digital marketing makes it easier for people to find you. This increases your chances of engaging with consumers searching for businesses nearby that offer products or services like yours.  

 

2. Establish An Online Presence 

When an individual is curious about your business, they will first research online to find more information about you. Most consumers expect businesses to have a website and a social media presence.  

They may want to see your Google My Business listing containing photos, contact details, store hours, address, and more. They may also want to read reviews to learn what other people are saying about your brand, products, or services.  

A lack of online presence is often taken negatively by potential customers. They may think that your small business is not legitimate and not worth visiting. As a result, these prospects will go for your competitors instead.  

3. Create Effective Campaigns 

Digital marketing makes a significant difference in the marketing campaign of small businesses. You can fulfill your target audience’s needs better through inspecting every detail, determining what works, and adjusting as needed.  

Digital marketing tools, like analytics, allow you to learn the online habits of ideal consumers and determine your next course of action. These include knowing what their interests are, what they spend more time doing, and what will make them visit your store. 

Once you’ve obtained this information, you can adapt your marketing strategies to make them more effective. It also lets you create well-targeted and personalized campaigns for particular types of people and turn them into buying customers.  

4. Improve Your ROI 

Unlike other types of marketing, digital marketing offers a higher return on investment (ROI) for small businesses. It helps you achieve meaningful results, such as finding more customers and boosting conversions. 

Digital marketing is highly effective and easily scalable, so you can adjust your budget as needed to keep bringing in more customers. You can begin investing small, then go all-out once you see the results.  

Even if you are a brick-and-mortar store that is just getting started, you will still see huge returns for the money and time spent marketing online.  

Drive Results for Your Small Business 

Whether you want to reach more customers or establish your brand reputation online, digital marketing provides you with many benefits. Start investing in this strategy today and see how it can impact your small business.  

Need help getting there? Mid America Web Solutions can deliver powerful results for your business through our range of quality digital marketing services. Contact us for more information and request an assessment to get started.