Why a Digital Footprint Matters for Small Businesses
July 29, 2021Think about the time you’ve spent online today. What did you look for? Did you find it right away? Services and products around the country are searchable on our devices at a moment’s notice, and giving customers digital access to small businesses should be the same. After all, consumers expect it, and without it the success of a small business could be headed in the wrong direction.
Creating a digital footprint is almost as essential to success as creating a business itself. Elements of a digital footprint include a well-developed digital marketing plan, functioning website and social media to show what you offer, whether products, services or information, but there’s more. Developing a marketing strategy that includes digital marketing, coming up with creative advertising, and being searchable through SEO services are all important ways to help target new audiences and drive traffic to a website to increase sales.
DIGITAL MARKETING
Digital marketing, and a digital footprint, embodies all aspects of marketing that take place online, whether through a website, social media channel, mobile app, email or search engine like Google. Bringing these elements together will help create a well balanced digital marketing strategy that can easily be followed to help small business owners achieve a set of goals.
SEO
SEO services, or search engine marketing, can provide a presence for small businesses on search engines. Nearly half of all consumers rely on search engines to find either a type of business or a specific business. Because of this, having a search engine presence should be a top priority.
SEO services aim to increase a business’s exposure through paid and unpaid aspects. The goal is to get a business to the top of the search engine list when consumers search for it so that it is, almost literally, top of mind. Knowing how consumers search for a business, the products or services offered, and what questions consumers ask themselves surrounding these things are all keys to SEO success.
WEBSITE
Once a consumer finds a small business via search engine, the next logical step is to click and visit the website. Small business websites should include information about the products or services, the company itself, contact information and other relevant details. The better the website, the more willing consumers will be to do business with the company. Website audits can help provide an outside perspective, taking a look at it through the lens of the consumer with the goals of maximizing website efficiency and providing a top user experience.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Another element to build upon is social media. Since, by nature, this is a highly social element, it should be used to engage current and potential customers and clients. Things like post frequently, tone and consumer relatability should be considered. In addition to a social media profile, ads on social media platforms help reach new audiences, thus driving traffic to either an overall website or to specific products and services offered.
DIGITAL ADVERTISING
Digital advertising, or the creation and placement of online ads, is another popular tool that should be included in a small business’s digital footprint. Ads can be highly targeted to consumers, from getting an ad on specific topical websites so consumers are first introduced to a business, to retargeting consumers with another ad after they visit a website. This all helps reach new audiences while driving traffic to a website.
Digital footprints are crucial to small business success in a digital world. Need help navigating all of this? Marketing agencies like Frankel Media Group can help while providing intuitive solutions for every type of small business. Connect with us today.