Tuesday, 11 February 2014

9 Great Internet Marketing Tips for SMBs

        I.            Stop ignoring the Internet
The whole world is embracing the Internet at an unprecedented rate. According to a report by World Telecommunications Union, 39% of world population of 7.1 Billion were using Internet in 2013. If we add to that the increased mobile internet usage, the percentage could go much higher. Thus, if you are ignoring the power of the Internet, you won’t realize how soon the world is moving away from you.  The graph below shows the Internet Growth trend, can you project where you stand here?
 
      II.            Explore what your competitors are doing
Your competitors might have already started Marketing Online  and could have already developed their Internet Marketing Strategy. If you are an SME, chances are that your competitors are using  Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc). So, the sooner you start, the better chance you have to catch up with those ahead.  If you think your competitors are not doing anything on the Internet, you have a great chance to beat the competition here. 
 
    III.            Get a website if you are not having one at present
A website is your virtual shop and you cannot afford to ignore the benefits of having a website. If you are running a business where leads are coming naturally and maximum clients are of captured market, website might not look like a good idea to you. But wait, do you remember the scope of extra business that you are losing by not getting to connect with new prospects? A website adds good deal of credibility to your business and provides opportunity to show your business – the way you would want. So, get a website !
 
    IV.            Invest in a new website if you have a shabby looking website
If you are a progressive business of 21st century, chances are more that you already have a website. If that is the case, take a look at how great it looks. Ask some friends and customers to give an honest feedback about your website. Ask younger folks for this. If you are not much updated with internet, chances are that your website is not too updated also, with latest standards. It is time to take a fresh look at it. It is time to redesign your website, contact an expert website designing company for the same.
 
      V.            Optimize your website- else it will be of little use
Having a website doesn’t suffice all purpose. You need to optimize it too. Optimizing basically means, among other things,
·         Using business and search relevant keywords in your website contents, titles, tags, meta-tags etc
·         Keeping the website structure easily navigable to people and search engines
·         Keeping the theme of communication in tune with all other communications
·         Making it easier people to contact you from the website.
 
 
    VI.            Update website contents regularly
Search engines love it if you update your contents regularly. So, keep it in mind that whatever new changes happen in your business- new products, new services, new clientele, new testimonials, new market update- all have to come up in to your website immediately. This practice will take your miles ahead of your competition on the Internet.
 
  VII.            Make yourself visible to your target audience
You will need to tell everyone that you are there. So, make sure you have your website URL in visiting card, bill-boards, RSS Feed, press releases (if you manage to), ads, Facebook posts, blog posts and so on. This will ensure people see you and link to your website.
 
VIII.            ENGAGE with your audience in social media
You clients – present and future ones, are spending a good part of their time on Social Media sites like- Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc. And, a lot of businesses are also interacting with your market in many creative ways. As such, it is extremely important that you also engage with your clients in social media, so that you are always on top of their preference list. The tactics of engaging with audience in social media are very different from that of other marketing medium. At least, to begin with, you need some proficient Social Media Marketing Agency to guide you on the new domain.  You will never regret a strategic investment in Social Media Engagement.
 
    IX.            Maintain a Blog
You may not know much about Internet Marketing – and you don’t need to also, if you are not in the business of Internet Marketing.  You just need to be the expert in your business. So, if you are a florist, keep taking some pictures of different varieties of flowers of every season and post on your blog, research and write about different varieties etc; if you are doctor, write about different ailments and their easy healing procedures and so on. The idea is – make yourself a reference point to people looking for information in your industry. You will shine in Internet if you are able to do this. To start it all, do some more research and study. Additionally, contact an Internet Marketing Agency that specializes in Small and Medium Enterprise Business. WebRhino,
an India based Digital Marketing Company could be an excellent starting point for you. 
 
We welcome your suggestions and comments. If you liked this article, please share it and let others benefit from it too !
 

0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

About The Author

Satish Awasthi: An Entrepreneur, Blogger, SEO Consultant and Online Reputation Management Professional
Powered by Blogger.