Marketing is not easy, and if you’re a small local business with a small budget, it can be even more difficult. However, in the “new” age of the internet - small budgets can still be effective, efficient, and profitable. Small businesses should never count internet marketing out, even if their product isn’t sold online. The greatest mistake today that small retail business shops make is that they ignore online marketing, when most of their local audience is online. There are many other online marketing mistakes that small businesses make every day. Here are some tips on how to rise above this challenge.
Tip #1 – Always Have a Presence Online
The first great mistake that small retail businesses make is they assume that just because they’re not selling their product online, means they shouldn’t be actively online. It’s vital that people have the opportunity to learn about your business and product(s) online. The customer’s purchase decision is often times mentally made outside of the business’ location when online information is presented to them helping to overcome their concerns. For example, let’s look at a retail furniture store; furniture is a product that local small furniture shops usually will not sell online. The big retail furniture shops know that they have to introduce information to their customers online if they want to sell more. When a customer leaves the small retail shop, questions may pop up later, leading the customer to look for answers online. Often times the customer is just led to the manufacturer’s or a competitor’s website which can draw the purchase to that competitor. Even if you’re not investing in online ads or marketing, be sure to have an impressive online website that will be a great resource to your customers.
Tip #2 – Capture Leads When Not Selling Online
Another great common mistake among small businesses is the fact that they’re not capturing leads or enough leads through their website. It’s easy to be lazy as a business, and to believe that people will call you if they’re interested in your product you sell only at your retail location. In this age of time where people aren’t afraid to give out their information, businesses should capitalize on it. In most cases it’s even better if a person fills out a lead form, versus calling, because you can keep and email the lead to follow up on, as compared to the call. Imagine if hundreds and thousands of people filled out that lead form, all of a sudden you have a list of people you can promote your product to when the next big sale hits. Go big with leads and don’t look back.
Tip #1 – Always Have a Presence Online
The first great mistake that small retail businesses make is they assume that just because they’re not selling their product online, means they shouldn’t be actively online. It’s vital that people have the opportunity to learn about your business and product(s) online. The customer’s purchase decision is often times mentally made outside of the business’ location when online information is presented to them helping to overcome their concerns. For example, let’s look at a retail furniture store; furniture is a product that local small furniture shops usually will not sell online. The big retail furniture shops know that they have to introduce information to their customers online if they want to sell more. When a customer leaves the small retail shop, questions may pop up later, leading the customer to look for answers online. Often times the customer is just led to the manufacturer’s or a competitor’s website which can draw the purchase to that competitor. Even if you’re not investing in online ads or marketing, be sure to have an impressive online website that will be a great resource to your customers.
Tip #2 – Capture Leads When Not Selling Online
Another great common mistake among small businesses is the fact that they’re not capturing leads or enough leads through their website. It’s easy to be lazy as a business, and to believe that people will call you if they’re interested in your product you sell only at your retail location. In this age of time where people aren’t afraid to give out their information, businesses should capitalize on it. In most cases it’s even better if a person fills out a lead form, versus calling, because you can keep and email the lead to follow up on, as compared to the call. Imagine if hundreds and thousands of people filled out that lead form, all of a sudden you have a list of people you can promote your product to when the next big sale hits. Go big with leads and don’t look back.
Tip #3 – Engage with your Local Community Online
Social media may not be your best source for conversions, but it will be one of your best sources for being involved with the community. Instagram, Twitter, Google +, and Facebook are the perfect hashtag arenas that will display what the locals are talking about and engaging in. I’ve personally been impressed with a small local ice cream shake shop that is on the ball with Instagram. Community events are constantly being posted and hashtagged, making this shop and their brand a big name in the community. Small businesses should be very accepting of social media marketing because it’s affordable and can build a brand name in a community.
Tip #4 – Digital Banner Ads Work Locally
Google’s display ad network allows for small businesses to be able to create a banner and then display it on websites in their online community. The technology is so advanced that if a user is outside of a specific area, the banner will not display. Even with Facebook ads and Google Adwords PPC ads, businesses can target users only in their locality. While this may not be the most cost efficient, it can send a larger message to a local audience.
Read Full Article Here: 10 Local Online Marketing Tips For Small Businesses
No comments:
Post a Comment