Nowadays, it is not enough to have a great product or service. In the age of high-paced digital activity, small and local businesses must ensure that they are visible on at least one platform to attract and maintain customers. So, the big question is do small and local businesses need digital marketing?
- Your Customers are Online
Whether looking for a coffee shop, a trustworthy plumber, or a small bookshop, their search likely begins with an online search. In fact, over 70% of local searches lead to a visit to the store or a direct contact.
When your business does not appear in those searches, potential customers may never learn you are even there.
Tip: Get started by claiming your Google Business Profile and making sure your contact info, hours, and reviews are kept up to date!
- It’s Cost-effective and Time-efficient
Digital marketing can be more economical and time-efficient than traditional techniques like billboards, newspaper ads, and flyers, despite the fact that small business owners frequently view it as expensive.
With a handful of funds, you can:
– Run Facebook ads within a specific radius of your community.
– Send email newsletter with promotions.
– Post customer testimonials online for free.
– Even a little expense to create a digital presence can gain generous rewards!
- Contacting People at the Right Time
Shop owners’ biggest advantage in digital marketing is exact targeting. You can direct your efforts to:
– People in your area.
– Specific demographics or interests.
– Shoppers that are actively searching for your products or services.
Better results and less money wasted.
- Build Trust and a Strong Local Reputation
In today’s world, people trust what they see online. A clean, functioning website, an active social media presence, and positive Google reviews all help you look reliable to local consumers.
Eventually, whatever search engine people use, customers will often compare options online before making a decision. If a competitor ranks better and has more or better reviews, there is a good chance you will lose business, and that can be the case even if your service is better.
Tip: Ask well-satisfied customers for a review, and be professional and pleasant in your responses.
- Measure What Works and What Doesn’t.
Digital marketing is measurable, which is very different than traditional advertising, as you can now find:
– The number of times someone clicked on your ad
This lets you know how well your ad performs in grabbing attention. More clicks mean your ad is appealing to your audience and allows you see which ads to continue to run or improve.
– What social posts get the most engagement
By tracking engagement, likes, comments, and shares. You can see what type of content your audience likes and therefore create more of what works and grow your social media presence.
– What keywords are bringing traffic to your website
Understanding which keywords bring visitors to your site offers you insight into what those visitors are looking for. You can use those keywords to improve your SEO, by using them to create content that attracts visitors.
This means you can change things to better fit your strategy to get better results over time.
- Compete with Big Brands.
Digital marketing has raised the playing field. Even small businesses can now:
– Be seen in top local search results
– Be followed by loyal social media followers
– Make engaging content so that customers want to interact with you.
Small businesses can win over larger competitors with creativity and consistent behaviour, by providing a more personal and authentic experience.
Digital marketing isn’t just an expansion. It’s a necessity for small and local businesses. It keeps you both relevant and connected to the community and enables you to expand your brand without spending too much money. Ideas are infinite and you will grow in reputation and influence. If you want to start or grow your business into the next level, digital marketing is a smart investment.
