The IDEA Publishing
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt
the_tech_idea
The Tech IDEA

The Tech IDEA

Your Source for the Best and Newest Thinking in Technology
   

Digital marketing basics for businesses

6/9/2016

 
young-woman-shopping-with-smartphone
Digital marketing basics for businesses

Here are four basics you can focus on right now to promote your business and grow your customer base online.


Break Through

Digital marketing basics for businesses

(Family Features) Consumers today increasingly rely on connected devices to research products and services before making purchases – so it’s no secret that small businesses need to focus more of their marketing resources than ever before on online strategies.

As the journey from consumer query to purchase becomes more complex – incorporating multiple devices, websites, apps and offline activities – so too do the options for tracking consumer behavior and leveraging online media for targeted advertising.

There are companies today specializing in almost every aspect of online marketing, leaving business owners with a dizzying array of options. For many the question is not the value of online marketing, but rather where to start and how much they need to do to accomplish their marketing objectives.

Fortunately, there are some foundational activities that are effective, manageable and comprise an important starting point for leveraging digital media to grow your business.

Here are four basics you can focus on right now to promote your business and grow your customer base online:

Mobile mindset
Mobile is quickly becoming the device of choice for consumers to search the web. According to research by International Data Corporation on behalf of YP, nearly one in three consumers uses two or more devices when looking for information about products and services; and in 2015, Google announced that it receives more searches from smartphones and tablets than from computers. Yet many businesses are slow to adapt.

If your website is difficult to navigate from a mobile device, you can lose business to your competitors – especially since mobile searches are often about more than finding information. Consumers are using their mobile phones to take action after visiting a site, including calling a business, checking store hours and mapping directions. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly and easy to use from a variety of devices so you don’t miss out on potential customers.

Simple search
Search marketing is a powerful tool to drive quality leads. At minimum, you need to optimize your web presence to make sure people who are looking for the types of products and services you sell can find you through the major search engines. After that, you can supplement your organic search engine traffic with paid search ads during peak seasons, special promotions or when you have budget to invest. In any case, the first step is to form a clear vision of your target consumers and the keywords that drive searches in your industry. For additional ideas, consult others, such as customers, relatives, competitor websites and industry news.

The time and money you invest in search marketing can be undermined if you neglect the basics such as making sure your company contact information is accurate, consistent and easy to find on your website, in online directories and anywhere else your business appears on the web. Think about what makes your life easier when you’re searching for a product or service that you need and then strive to provide that same experience on your own website.

Social graces
Social media is a great platform to connect and engage with potential customers. The key to making it work for your business is to listen first. Look for social media groups related to your industry, the services or products you provide, or the interests of your target consumers, and observe conversations to find out what’s important to the people you need to reach. Avoid promoting your business in these settings, but look for opportunities to add value and expertise to the discussion. In time, this will help to build a community of followers.

Keep in mind that each social media channel has its own rules and user base, and not all may be a fit for your business. Find the channel(s) that makes the most sense for you and your business, and be sure to incorporate social links in all of your marketing efforts to further grow your network.

Content and character
In the age of information, every small business needs to be a content publisher. Good content serves many purposes, from attracting higher search engine rankings to helping prospects choose your products or services, and reinforcing your brand. A good start is to look for opportunities to educate and share your expertise. How-to videos, FAQs or links to informative resources about your industry are great ways to add value and encourage people to come back to your website. Other content, such as seasonal greeting videos or stories about work you’re doing in the community, may serve to humanize your brand and build authentic connections with your customers.

Does a local business really need a website?
When your business is primarily focused on local clients and you don’t sell products online, you may wonder whether your business even needs a website. The answer is unequivocally yes.

Websites are how local businesses get found via directories and search engines. It’s the “home base” for pertinent information about your business, including hours, location, products, services and more.

Remember that keeping your website information current and correct is extremely important. Inaccurate information can get picked up by other sites and directories, which, in turn, makes it harder for your potential customers to find and engage with your business.

Summit fuels growth
For business owners looking to grow their businesses, the Local Breakthrough Summit organized by YP may deliver the knowledge and tools they need. The series of nationwide events brings together leaders in digital marketing, including Bing, Google, Verve and Yahoo, while also giving small business owners the opportunity to share best practices and gain insights about their communities.

For more information on YP’s Local Breakthrough Summit, visit adsolutions.yp.com/breakthroughsummit.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
YP


KEYWORDS

  • advertising ×
  • advice ×
  • business ×
  • digital ×
  • Family Features ×
  • hacks ×
  • Internet ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • marketing ×
  • media ×
  • online ×
  • online advertising ×
  • online shopping ×
  • promotion ×
  • search engine optimization ×
  • SEO ×
  • social media ×
  • tech ×
  • technology ×
  • tips




    Archives

    June 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016


    Interested in Publishing on The Tech Idea?

    Send your query to the Publisher today!


    Categories

    All
    Accessibility
    Adoption
    Advertising
    Advice
    Age
    Aging
    AI
    Algorithm
    Amazon
    Analog
    Android
    Apple
    Appliances
    Applications
    Apps
    Article
    Artificial Intelligence
    Assistive Device
    Assistive Devices
    Assistive Technology
    Audio
    Auto
    Automation
    Automobile
    Autos
    Backup
    Bandwidth
    Battery
    Benefits
    Binge
    Binge Watching
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Speakers
    BPT
    Brandpoint
    Brandpoint Content
    Broadcast
    Buffering
    Business
    Cable
    Cable Modem
    Camera
    Car
    Careers
    CarPlay
    Carriers
    Cars
    Cell Phone
    Cellular Data
    CES
    Change
    Changes
    Channels
    Charity
    Child
    Children
    Christmas
    Classroom
    Cloud
    Cloud Backup
    Cloud Computing
    Colleges
    Comfort
    Commerce
    Communication
    Competition
    Competitiveness
    Computer
    Computers
    Computing
    Connected
    Connected Devices
    Connectivity
    Consoles
    Consumer Electronics Show
    Consumers
    Content
    Control
    Controversy
    Convenience
    Cooking
    Corporate
    Corporate Strategy
    Cost
    Costs
    Coverage
    Crafts
    Creativity
    Credentials
    Credit
    Credit Card
    Crime
    Criminal
    Customers
    Customer Service
    Cyber
    Cyberattack
    Cyberattacks
    Cybercrime
    Cyberinsurance
    Cybersecurity
    Daily Deals
    Data
    Data Plans
    Data Protection
    Dataset
    Dating
    Dead Zones
    Deals
    Defense
    Desktops
    Developing World
    Device
    Devices
    Digital
    Digital Inheritance:
    Disability
    Discount
    Discounts
    Discovery
    Display
    Distractions
    Diversions
    Download
    Drivers
    Driving
    Drones
    Drone Technology
    Ecommerce
    Education
    Educational
    Efficiency
    Email
    Emails
    Emergency
    Emerging Tech
    Employers
    Enabling
    Encryption
    Energy
    Engineering
    Entertainment
    Environment
    Ethics
    Exercise
    Expert
    Experts
    Family
    Family Features
    FCC
    Federal Communications Commission
    Findings
    First Responders
    Fitness
    Flexibility
    Fraud
    Frequencies
    Frequency
    Future
    Gadgets
    Galaxy
    Gaming
    Global
    Good News
    Google
    Google Assistant
    Government
    GPS
    Guide
    Hack
    Hacker
    Hackers
    Hacking
    Hacks
    Headphones
    Health
    Health Care
    Hearing
    Higher Education
    High School
    Home
    Home Assistant
    Home Entertainment
    Home Hub
    Homeowners
    Home Security
    Home Tech
    Home Theater
    Hotspots
    Hot Spots
    House
    Hub
    ID
    Identity
    Identity Theft
    Images
    Infographic
    Information
    Information Technology
    Innovation
    Inspiration
    Insurance
    Interface
    International
    Internet
    Invention
    Investment
    IOS
    IPhone
    IT
    Keywords
    Kids
    Kitchen
    Laptop
    Laptops
    Learning
    LED
    Lifehacks
    Lighting
    Links
    Listen
    Listening
    Lists
    Living Well
    Love
    Machine Learning
    Machines
    Management
    Managing
    Marketing
    Math
    Mathematics
    Media
    Medium
    Membership
    Microsoft
    Military
    Mobile
    Mobile Banking
    Mobile Tech
    Mobility
    Modem
    Money
    Monitors
    Motivation
    Movies
    Music
    Netflix
    News
    On Demand
    Online
    Online Advertising
    Online Shopping
    Options
    Organization
    Overhead
    Paper
    Parental Controls
    Parenting
    Parents
    Password
    Passwords
    Pattern Recognition
    PC
    PCs
    Personal Computer
    Personal Finance
    Personnel
    Phishing
    Phishing Scams
    Phone
    Phones
    Photgraphs
    Photography
    Photos
    Pod
    Podcast
    Podcasts
    Police
    Policies
    Policy
    Predictions
    Preferences
    Prevention
    Privacy
    Privacy Screen
    Privacy Screens
    Program
    Programming
    Promotion
    Protection
    Public Safety
    Public Sector
    Range
    Recycling
    Relationship
    Replace
    Replacement
    Research
    Resolution
    Restaurant
    Retail
    ROI
    Router
    Safety
    Satellite
    Savings
    Scam
    Scams
    Scandal
    Schedule
    Science
    Screen
    Search Engine Optimization
    Security
    Seniors
    Senior Tech
    Sensors
    SEO
    Series
    Shipping
    Shopping
    Shopping Cart
    Small Business
    Smarthome
    Smart Home
    Smart Home Technology
    Smartphone
    Smart Speakers
    Smart TV
    Smartwatch
    Social
    Social Media
    Software
    Sound
    Speakers
    Spotify
    Strategy
    Streaming
    Streaming Services
    Students
    Subscription
    Survey
    Tablet
    Tablets
    Teachers
    Tech
    Technology
    Tech Tips
    Tech Transfer
    Tech Trends
    Teenagers
    Teens
    Television
    Texting
    Thermostat
    Tip
    Tips
    Travel
    Traveling
    Trends
    TV
    UNICEF
    Unlimited Data
    Update
    Updates
    Upgrades
    Usability
    Users
    Utility
    Video
    Video Games
    View
    Viewers
    Viewing
    Virus
    Viruses
    Voice
    Voice Commands
    Voice Command Technology
    Voice Control
    Volume
    Vulnerability
    Vulnerable
    Warranty
    Waste
    Watch
    Wearables
    Wearable Technology
    Wearbles
    Web
    Web Design
    Website
    Wellness
    WiFi
    Wi Fi
    Wi-fi
    Wi-Fi
    Wireless
    Wireless Speakers






    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • ads.txt