People are using their mobiles and internet connections every other minute. That’s why it is crucial to let your target customers or viewers know that your business exists, and more importantly, that it exists online. Digital marketing is one of the processes where you create your brand value, inform people about your business, and showcase your products or services. That’s why digital marketing is so important; it allows you to reach a large audience without spending a huge amount of money.
Whether you are a business owner looking to get started with digital marketing or someone who wants to learn more about it, this article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to prepare your business for digital marketing.
1. Your Business’s Website
There are four major aspects to consider before you start. The first and most important is your website. Your website serves as your business’s storefront online, meaning it’s where your target customers will land when they find your business. There are a few key points to consider when designing your website, or having it designed.
- First, the website must be mobile-friendly. Since 90% of users are on their mobile devices daily, and most internet users access websites from their phones, it doesn’t matter how good your website looks on a laptop or desktop. What really matters is that it functions properly on mobile. Pay attention to ensuring that the site is fully optimized for mobile, and that key features like the menu and call-to-actions sections are displayed properly on mobile devices.
- Second, your website must have a clear and concise content about your services or products. Make sure you explain what you offer and where you provide services in a straight-forward fashion, so users can easily make decision as they browse through the website.
- Third, it is essential to include a proper call to action or CTA. A CTA is where your customers find your contact information, whether it’s your phone number or email address or even a contact form, ensure that all contact methods are displayed clearly. If it is a contact form, make sure you collect minimum information in one step.
- Finally, do not compromise the speed of your website by opting for a cheapo web hosting service. We live an era where people scroll through video contents in less than 30 seconds. If your website takes more than 10-20 seconds to load, users will likely leave the page. When designing your website, ensure that the images and CSS files are optimized for fast loading on mobiles as well as on desktop devices. A fast-loading site allows users more time to decide whether they want to contact you for your services or products.
2. Google Maps Listing
Google Maps listing has become one of the most important tools for businesses today. Its where your potential customers can find directions to your business, read reviews and learn more about your services or products. Therefore, it is crucial to create a Google Maps listing and optimize it properly.
When setting up your Google Maps listing, here a few essential points to ensure you get it right:
1. Consistency Across Platforms
The name, address and phone number (NAP) on your website must match exactly with what is displayed on Google Maps. This includes the email address, and any additional contact details that you have added on your website. The map or the address displayed on your website should also alight perfectly with the one linked in your Google My Business listing. Consistency in displaying the NAP is vital for building trust and improving local SEO.
2. Optimize Your Business Name with Keywords
When naming your business on Google Maps, consider adding relevant keywords to boost search engine optimization (SEO). For instance, if your business name is “XYZ ABC CO”, you could enhance it with keywords like “Web Designer” or “Web Developer” (e.g., XYZ ABC CO – Web Designer in Kolkata etc.). This small adjustment can help improve your visibility in search results.
3. Provide a Clear Business Description
Clearly define what your business offers and the locations you serve (if you are local business). Use the same core content from your website but tailor it to fit the character limit on Google My Business. Ensure the description includes optimized keywords so search engines can identify your business and display it when people search for related terms in your area.
4. List Your Services and Products
Especially for service-based business, listing all your services on Google My Business is a must. This allows your potential customers to browse through your offerings without needing to visit your website. It eliminates an extra step for the visitors, making it easier for them to decide to contact you.
5. Encourage Customer Reviews
Once your Google Maps listing is set up and a few weeks or months old, it’s time to ask your existing customers to leaver reviews about their experience. The more reviews you have, the better your chances of appearing at the top of the search results for your business-related keywords. Positive review not only boost your ranking but also help build trust with new customers.
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3. Utilize Review Platforms
Review platforms such as TrustPilot, Sulekha and JustDial are excellent tools for improving your brand’s reputation and building trust with potential customers. People often want to know about others’ experiences before contacting a business or deciding to purchase its services or products. It’s a behavior we’re all familiar with; we frequently check customer reviews before placing an order for our favorite items on shopping platforms like Amazon or Flipkart.
1. How to Increase the Number of Reviews?
Leverage simple technology like QR codes to make the review process easy and accessible for your customers. Generate a QR code linked to your review platform (e.g., TrustPilot or Google Maps) and encourage your customers to leave a review. You can even incentivize reviews by offering a small discount or benefit on their next order. This approach not only encourages positive feedback but also increases the likelihood of repeat business. By securing reviews, you’re simultaneously securing future orders and enhancing your reputation.
2. Which Review Platforms Should You Use?
Review platforms are often localized, so it is important to research which platforms are most popular in your area and create profiles on those. While Google Maps and TrustPilot are essential for global reach, platforms like Sulekha, JustDial and YellowPlages can be effective for local audiences. For restaurants, Zomato or Swiggy pages will also help a lot. When setting up profiles on these platforms, ensure consistency by using the same Name, Address and Phone number (NAP) across all platforms. Consistent NAP information not only improves trust, but also enhances your local SEO rankings.
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4. Be Active on Social Media
Social media platforms are not just for personal connections; they are the most powerful tools for your business to connect with customers, engage with your target audience, build brand loyalty, and generate leads. In today’s digital world, having a social media presence is not optional; it’s a necessity. Here are a few key points that you should consider when creating your social media pages:
1. Choose the Right Platform
Different social media platforms serve different purposes. Hence, choosing the right platform is necessary for building a brand and generating leads from social media. If your business is mainly focused on B2C, then I strongly recommend that you focus on Facebook and Instagram. If your business is a B2B business, then LinkedIn is the perfect place to connect with other businesses and professionals for networking.
2. Be Consistent and Add Value
Once you have figured out the platforms, start posting content. Make a schedule and post consistently. Remember, people are not interested in sales ads or promotions. You need to keep adding value to your potential customers’ lives, so that they can trust your brand and make a purchase when you run your promotions. Making a content calendar is highly effective. The content can be tips and tricks about your product or services. It can also be a video testimonial for a client, it can be “How-To” videos, etc.
3. Engage with Your Audience
Once you start to post valuable content, you will see people will show interest in your posts and eventually they will comment. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and reviews. Social media is about building relationships, so engaging with potential audiences helps build trust and shows that your business values its customers.
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Building a strong online presence is no longer optional; it’s a necessity in today’s fast-moving digital world. By optimizing your website, maintaining a professional Google My Business listing, leveraging review platforms, and staying active on social media, you can establish your business as a trusted brand in your niche and reach a wider audience without making a huge hole in your bank balance.
However, I understand that navigating the digital marketing landscape can be overwhelming. We at Neuvo WebTech LLP have helped and hand-held many businesses through the journey of digital marketing and will love to do the same for you. With over a decade of experience in Web Design, Digital Marketing, and Application Development, we believe our team has the right expertise to create an impactful online marketing strategy and implement it.
Whether you are just starting or looking to enhance your existing digital presence, we are here to make your journey seamless and effective. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s write your digital success story together.