Every business owner likes to think they’re using a good marketing strategy to try to bring in customers and grow. Twenty years ago, this strategy included print ads in a newspaper or magazine, television ads on their local networks, radio ads, and, just maybe, a monthly mailer sent to prospective clients. Sure, some of these, specifically TV ads and print, are still valuable tools for marketing depending on the industry. However, marketing strategies have to adapt to the times, and right now, everything is digital.
So, how does your business stack up on the digital marketing front? Are you doing everything you could to grow your business in the 21st Century? Here are 6 questions to ask yourself, and afterward, a way to grade your overall digital marketing strategy:
1. Do you have a social media strategy?
This seems obvious to most businesses, but for some, it’s difficult to run a business AND worry about social media. Normally, social media is put on the back burner or given to a family member to run. Doing this is HURTING your business.
2. Do you have a quality website?
Sure, your business has a website. Most do. Your competitors surely do. But, have you updated it recently? Is it optimized for mobile viewing? Is there a blog featuring information you won’t find elsewhere? A quality website is more than the look and feel. It’s the CONTENT.
3. Is your website search engine optimized?
Most business owners aren’t even aware that search engine optimization (SEO) exists. However, SEO is probably one of the most important elements to any digital marketing strategy. If you are unclear about what this means, or are not sure if your website is optimized, then this is a big red flag!
4. Are you advertising through Pay-per-click ads?
We have all seen those ads on social media and in search results. Sure, they seem annoying at first, but do you realize they are a great way to get qualified customers to you website? These ads are relatively inexpensive and, if done correctly by experts, can result in amazing returns.
5. Are you monitoring online business reactions?
Business reviews are all over the Internet. Yelp, Google, Facebook, etc. all have ways for customers to voice their satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, with your business. It’s important to monitor those, and if there are unhappy customers, you need to ensure they’re problems are resolved.
6. Do you have an email strategy?
Email marketing sometimes gets a bad name. People can see emails from businesses as spam, and if done incorrectly, can have a negative impact. The truth is that quality email marketing is an instant way to reach your customers wherever they are. If you have a great email campaign, you can engage with customers in a way you’re unable to do with traditional marketing.
If you’ve answered “Yes” to all those questions, then you’re on the right path, congratulations! However, if you’ve answered “No” to at least one of those, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your strategy and see where you are deficient.
Lastly, if you answered “No” to two or more of these questions, don’t fret! That’s normal. Unfortunately, there are many businesses that struggle with their digital marketing strategy. There is hope!
Contact Debra Lopez Public Relations today, and get a free consultation and find out where your business could be improved through a quality, detailed digital marketing strategy!