Digital marketing is the process of reaching new customers online using a variety of strategies. Discover why this form of marketing is so powerful, especially for small businesses.
In the 1980’s Madonna sang about living in a “Material World,” but today we could say the same about living in a digital world. 95% of Americans own cell phones, and 77% specifically have smartphones. In addition, 77% of Americans connect to the internet every day.
This shift to digital living has caused a seismic shift in marketing as well. Digital marketing is now the powerhouse, and any business who wants to be successful today has to take advantage of it.
Still curious if digital marketing is as important as everyone claims? Here’s what you need to know about the power of this type of outreach.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of online strategies. It refers to using digital technology to reach and convert potential clients into customers. The most effective digital marketing uses technology to build relationships.
Content Marketing
Content marketing is a strategy that uses online content (from a company’s website, social media, and email, for instance) to connect with possible new customers. The focus is on providing relevant and useful information so that people will understand your value.
Content marketing is an integral part of inbound marketing, where you generate interest so that people seek out your brand for information.
Outbound Marketing
On the other side of content marketing and inbound strategies are outbound marketing strategies. These include ads on Google, social media ads, and additional types of paid advertising.
While many marketers treat outbound marketing as less important than inbound, the truth is they work very well together. Outbound marketing can get you vital new customers while you wait for your inbound strategies to build up.
Be Where People Are – Online
Once upon a time, success was all about “location, location, location.” It still is today! The reason digital marketing is so important is that it meets people where they already are.
Why should your business be active on Facebook? Because 68% of American adults use it! 73% of Americans use YouTube, so if you haven’t built up your video marketing, now is the time.
Digital marketing allows you to build relationships and develop brand awareness in the digital spaces where people spend a tremendous amount of time. It’s as if we’ve created a new central square and if you want to be noticed, you have to set up shop there.
Digital Levels the Playing Field for Small Companies
If you’re tired of being pushed around by the larger businesses in your niche, you’re not alone. However, digital marketing can change everything for you. Through search engine optimization (SEO), you can hold top rankings in local terms and appear above larger competitors in search results.
When you rank more highly in search results, potential customers are more likely to click the link to your website than another link. This gets you the visitors, traffic, and buyers that you need.
If you’re a small business who would love to leverage local digital marketing to help you compete, digital marketing services by Local SEO Search may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Digital Marketing is More Personal
Traditional marketing asks you to put an ad in the newspaper or put up a billboard to draw attention to your business. But consider this: what kind of attention are you attracting? Perhaps thousands of people see your ad, but are they interested?
Digital marketing allows you to personalize and target your marketing so that you attract buyers who are looking for exactly what you offer. By using SEO to focus on specific search terms, you encounter people who are already looking for what you have.
On social media, you can cultivate an audience of people who are interested in what you have to say and the helpful information you share. This audience is far more likely to buy from you than any group of commuters on the highway.
Save Money With Effective Marketing
Perhaps most importantly, digital marketing allows you to save money. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a scattershot approach that may or may not bring in sales. Instead, you can focus your budget where it is most effective.
Every online marketing campaign is measurable, and you can take a look at the data to see if your efforts have been effective or not. That allows you to spend more money on things that work while you cut back on things that don’t.
You’ll make smarter marketing decisions and waste far less money simply because you have the data you need to evaluate your outreach efforts!
Digital Marketing Isn’t Optional
If you want to succeed in the digital era, you have to have a digital marketing strategy. Many companies are pulling money away from less-effective traditional marketing and investing it online instead.
If you want to meet people where they are and build awareness of your brand, you must be online. Fortunately, you can choose your level of investment and carefully track your results. Digital marketing is revolutionary, and you can’t afford to miss out.
To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.
