Running a small business takes a lot of courage and commitment. We know it is hard work, so we want to make sure it pays off. And what else can help a business more than well crafted marketing strategy? Not anything we know of. That being said, we have made a list of digital marketing tips for small businesses to follow in 2018, because digitally advanced businesses are 3x as likely to have increased customer interest, like calls, leads and foot traffic.
1. Go Online.
It all starts with a website, a simple, functional and mobile friendly website. It doesn’t have to be too complicated and it can even be free! Google offers a free website builder for small businesses which allows you to create a free website in under 10 minutes. It’s super simple, mobile ready and includes powerful features designed to help drive more customers to your business.
2. Optimize For Conversions.
When building a website, it’s important to clearly define the goals you are trying to accomplish. Is it getting email inquiries, or more phone calls? Or maybe newsletter signups? Do you want to start accepting online bookings for your services? Whatever your goal, make sure you optimize your website for conversions. It means helping the website visitor complete the actions you want them to do. For example, if you want website visitors to book a consultation with your law firm, make sure you have the “Book Consultation” button in a visible spot and there are little or no distractions for the user.
3. Get Social.
Digital marketing tips for small businesses are never complete without social media advice, right? In fact social media has greater power for small local businesses than it has for bigger brands. On social media it’s all about being authentic and genuinely connecting with your customers, listening and talking to them through various content formats. As a small business owner there’s a lot you can do with social media, like go LIVE during events or show a sneak peak inside your business, utilize Instagram and Facebook stories, even start a youtube channel! The key point here is to find the right social network for your small business, because you will not be able (and it doesn’t make sense) to invest in all of them. Know which social network your customers prefer and get social there!
4. Get Listed.
Brick and mortar businesses can drive a lot of foot traffic and leads simply by getting listed on key business listings and maps. Most importantly, make sure your business is on Google Map and has up-to-date information, like phone number for direct calls, working hours, address and of course, your website! Google business listing also shows your customer reviews, which takes us to the final digital marketing tip below.
5. Build a Reputation.
There’s nothing more important for a local business to drive sales than its reputation, which comes in the form of reviews and customer testimonials. Reviews can make or break your business, whether you like it or not. So you need to make sure your happy customers can easily find and leave a review for your business on platforms that matter. For the very least, you will need good reviews on Yelp! And Google. But as a smart entrepreneur, you should go one step further and keep the communication alive by responding to customer reviews, resolving all complaints and showing your human side online. You can also showcase your best reviews on your website and share them on social media with a quick thank you note.
Finally, be careful what you do online, because whatever is once published on the web will hardly ever disappear. So start implementing these digital marketing tips for small businesses and watch your business grow in 2018.