Having a solid digital marketing strategy is essential for small businesses to thrive. But what exactly is a digital marketing strategy, & why is it so crucial?
A digital marketing strategy is your plan for how your business will achieve your marketing goals, & can include where to focus your efforts & what to do to help your company grow.
Of course, you don’t have to wade into these murky waters on your own. We'll take you from the basics to actionable steps, ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed.
Imagine trying to build a house without checking the foundation first. Sounds risky, right? The same goes for your digital marketing efforts. Before diving into strategy, conducting a digital audit is a must.
A digital audit helps you understand where your business currently stands in the digital landscape. This involves evaluating your website, social media presence, & other online assets. It’s like taking a snapshot of your current digital health.
For instance, do you know how your website performs in terms of speed & user experience? What about your social media engagement rates? That’s what an audit is all about!
A digital marketing strategy is a comprehensive plan that outlines how your business will achieve its marketing goals using online channels.
This can include social media, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), & more. Think of it as a roadmap guiding your marketing efforts and since 94% of small businesses are planning on increasing their marketing spending in 2024, a clear map is more important than ever!
For example, if your goal is to increase website traffic, your strategy might involve improving SEO, running Google ads, & creating engaging blog content.
A well-crafted digital marketing strategy aligns your business objectives with your digital efforts.
Having a digital marketing strategy is like having a GPS for your business. It directs your efforts, ensuring you’re not wasting time or resources.
Digital ads can increase brand awareness by 80%, but without a strategy, you’re essentially shooting in the dark, hoping something will work.
A strategy not only guides your actions but also helps measure success & make data-driven decisions.
If you’re not sure if your business needs a digital marketing strategy, here are some telltale signs:
If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, it’s a clear sign you need a structured plan.
Let’s take a look at what strats’ your business can benefit from:
Your website or landing page is the digital face of your business.
A well-optimized landing page can significantly impact your marketing efforts. It should be user-friendly, mobile-responsive, & SEO-optimized. Your landing page is often the first impression potential customers have of your business.
It takes half a second for someone to form an opinion about your website—make it count.
The average Canadian spends over 2 hours a day on social media, mostly accessed through their phone.
This makes social media platforms powerful tools for engaging with your audience, building brand awareness, & driving traffic to your website.
Being active on social media allows you to connect with your audience on a personal level, & many businesses are taking advantage of this space already!
The bread and butter of any digital marketing agency, digital ads can include Google Ads & social media ads.
These can help you reach a larger audience & drive targeted traffic to your website. When done with purpose & planning, businesses can make an average of $2 for every $1 they spend on paid advertising.
This makes digital ads a potentially cost-effective way to reach your audience quickly.
Email marketing is a direct line to your audience, allowing for personalized communication & high return on investment (ROI) with some businesses reporting earning $36 for every dollar spent in email marketing.
But that doesn’t mean you can send off every email without thought. Too many emails can make people unsubscribe.
Poorly formatted emails can leave your audience frustrated with you. But when done well, emails are a great way to nurture leads & keep your audience engaged.
A marketing funnel isn’t a specific platform such as email or social media, but an overarching view of your strategy. It visualizes the customer journey from awareness to conversion, helping you understand where to focus your efforts.
Imagine walking around a museum with no signs to point your way. This could be your audience!
A clear funnel helps guide them through their journey from strangers to a dedicated customer base.
A well-crafted digital marketing strategy is essential for small businesses aiming to thrive in today's digital landscape.
From conducting a digital audit to implementing key strategies like social media & email marketing, having a roadmap ensures you’re not shooting in the dark.
Remember, the goal is to align your digital efforts with your business objectives, measure success, & adjust as needed.
The best part?
You can do all this with less stress! If you're ready to take your digital marketing to the next level, consider booking a consultation with It’s Digital.
