It’s one thing to launch your startup; it’s another to grow your small business. But how do you go about doing so?
Unfortunately, the global pandemic has affected many companies worldwide, and small businesses are the most vulnerable. The good news, though, is that there are ways for businesses to get by amid the pandemic. One effective way to do so is through digital marketing, whether employing search engine optimization (SEO), implementing content marketing, or resorting to social media management.
Here are five effective ways you can grow your business via digital platforms.
1. Increase your online visibility and website traffic
Whether you have an online store or a brick-and-mortar business, you must strive hard to have a web presence. You don’t just create a website or social media accounts for your business. Your goal is to increase your online visibility and drive traffic to your site. Doing so can translate into an increase in lead generation and sales conversion. That is where SEO and PPC come into the picture.
While SEO is performed for organic search, pay-per-click (PPC) is a form of paid advertising. Your SEO goal is to get the top ranking in the search engine optimization results pages (SERP). You can do this by optimizing your website, writing relevant content, and building backlinks. On the other hand, PPC entails creating ads to be displayed on top of SERP, and you pay the advertiser for every click. However, you do so to have potential customers land on your webpage.
2. Have consistent branding and messaging
If you want your small business to thrive and flourish, branding is the key. Branding is essential in business, especially for small businesses looking to grow and expand. Branding entails creating a logo, icons, designs, and other elements that identify your business.
First off, think of branding elements that represent your business image and uphold your business core, ideals, and philosophies. Second, be sure to have consistent branding across all digital platforms, whether on your website, social media, or other digital platforms. With all these, you’ll gain brand awareness and recognition in the long run.
3. Regularly create and publish content
Sure, you may have a visually appealing and highly functional website. Even the social media profiles of your business are great. However, none of these matter if you don’t consistently produce and publish relevant and valuable pieces of content. This is because both your regular customers and target ones are after content that your business can possibly offer. Be sure to provide them with what they’re looking for, especially content about your business and the products or services you offer. Below are some content pieces you can create and post:
- Blog posts: articles about your business, products or services, or industry trends, news, and updates
- Video clips: education, entertaining, or promotional video clips
- Infographics: business facts and figures in your industry
4. Harness the power of social media
There’s no denying the power of social media. This is because people live and breathe on social media, whether on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Not only are these channels used for personal interactions, but they are also used for business transactions.
In fact, social media marketing has recently come to life. Social media channels have grown and evolved while helping a lot of businesses grow and expand. Companies utilize these channels to promote their business, reach out to their clients, and engage with them. If you are looking to use social media to grow your business, take the following steps:
- Create great profiles with consistent branding
- Regularly post relevant content pieces
- Consistently engage with your customers
- Answer customers’ queries, resolve their issues, and address their concerns
5. Create an online community
If you want to build your audience and grow your business, creating an online community can make a difference. First, you can do so via your business website itself by making it more interactive and engaging. Second, engage with both your regular customers and prospective ones via your social media, whether on Facebook, Messenger, or Instagram.
Lastly, put your customers in one digital hub, engage with them, and create a community of loyal supporters. Learn the ways to create an online community forum and consider using an app or software for your business.
There are only two routes when starting and running a small business: shutting your startup or growing it over time. Despite the global pandemic, the latter is your ultimate goal, and there are ways to do so. All it takes is to increase your web presence, boost your branding, post content pieces, utilize social media, and create an online community. You’ll be amazed at how all these will help your business grow and expand over time.
