A Beginner’s Guide To Digital Marketing

Online marketing has changed the world of business in a big way. The traditional methods of TV, radio, and billboard advertising are slowly dying. In its place is a vast network of digital marketing techniques. In one sense, it’s a trickier world to understand. On the other, there’s a sense of democracy, as it creates a level playing field.

Anyone with an internet connection can now build a website and create a community on social media. It’s allowing bedroom entrepreneurs to turn their idea into a billion-dollar business.

Of course, some companies are still struggling with the new world. For many, the traditional industry was simple and effective. Now, they feel like a fish out of water when someone mentions social media or content marketing! That’s what today’s post is all about. We’re here to provide you with the basics and give you a general sense of digital marketing. With each of these suggestions, you’re free and encouraged to research the techniques further. Follow this advice and you’ll soon have an online empire up and running!

Your website

The website is the heart of any good online marketing network. All roads should lead back to your home and central hub. It’s where you direct your customers at all times. It’s where the sales happen. It’s where you exchange information and convince customers to buy from you. Without a website, your online network is missing a heart. Your first option here is outsourcing the design and build to a professional company. The second option is building the site yourself. With web-building tools like WordPress, you can have your unique website online in just a few hours. Choose a domain name and a hosting company and you’re all set.

SEO

SEO is an acronym for ‘search engine optimisation’. Quite simply, it refers to the process of ensuring your website appears on Google search. When users are hunting for your product or service, they need to find you on search engines. There are all sorts of factors that contribute to your search rank, but there are three main categories to focus on. Reach, authority, and relevance. Google are looking for a community of people that trust your site and use it regularly. That means building up a large, loyal audience with plenty of traffic. They’re looking for expertise and authority by assessing the links back to your site. If The New York Times is linking to you, Google knows you are worth ranking highly. Finally, they’re looking for relevancy. Google sends out crawlers to look for keywords and content. Make sure your website explains what you do simply and clearly.

Content Marketing

One core aspect of improving your SEO is content marketing. By producing high-quality articles and content, you are strengthening your expertise and authority. You’re also showing relevancy by creating content around your product and industry. Lastly, it brings in lots of traffic and extends your reach. But, content is about more than just SEO. It also lets you reach out to those in your niche. Good content spreads fast, taking your name and branding with it. Create and curate fantastic content and share it with your community. Encourage sharing and let the word spread.

Social Media

If you thought Facebook and Twitter were just a fad, think again. These platforms are here to stay. As humans, we are now deeply integrated into the world of social media. We live our lives through these platforms, so you need a presence there. Start with a Facebook page and a Twitter account. You can expand to Instagram and Pinterest too, depending on your niche. Use these platforms to connect with your community. Share content with them and ask them questions. Strengthen your branding and build an army of loyal customers. Social media is a powerful tool. Use it well.

Email Marketing

Many digital marketing managers claim that email is still the best way to connect with their customers. It provides a direct line straight to their inbox. It’s the single most effective way of increasing sales. Start collecting the emails addresses of customers and interested parties with a signup form online. Then, send timely updates with offers and relevant content. If you’re looking for more information, it’s worth following email marketing experts like Anik Singal. You’ll learn every trick in the book to create a more powerful and responsive email campaign.

Online Advertising

The old model may be dying, but advertising is still very effective. The beauty of online advertising is that you can target your audience with laser-sharp precision. Using Google AdWords or Facebook ads, you can select your audience based on demographics. You can even select users based on their likes and dislikes. With online advertising you only pay when someone clicks on your advert. So, it’s a very cost-effective and productive way to gain attention. Of course, you’ll need to hone your product and define your target audience first.

PR

The online world is full of blogs, YouTube channels, and social media accounts with extensive reach. Getting coverage and reviews from these influencers will help your product and brand name grow. But, how exactly do you get these outlets to take notice of you? The best way is to hire an online PR company. These teams have hundreds of contacts and connections with the most powerful influencers. They have the power to get your product in front of millions of eyes. Get in touch with a PR company and see what they can do for your business.

Mobile

Lastly, it’s important to include the mobile revolution here. Over the last twelve months, mobile internet access has surpassed traditional computer access. More people than ever are using smartphones and tablets to get online. If you’re not targeting the mobile audience, you’re missing out on 50% of your potential customers. The first step is building a responsive website that adapts to phones, tablets, and desktops. Secondly, you need to consider a mobile app and step up your social media game! The world is moving to mobile, so should you.

Good online marketing is all about creating a vast network and creating a community. Start with these basics steps, and find out more information. Good luck!