The answer to these questions comes back to this common mantra among marketers, which you’ve probably heard before. The best way to connect with your customers is to meet them where they are. And, no matter if your business is large or small, your customers are online.
There are billions of Google searches every day, a growing number of users are doing their primary searching and shopping on their mobile phones, and social media has become a central piece of customer service. Before making any purchase decision, many customers also prefer to do their research online. Given this reality, a brand must have an online presence in order to compete. If you aren’t there when prospective customers are searching, how will they find you?
Digital marketing is then, in so many words, the process of meeting your customers online: capturing their attention, connecting with them, and being there when they are searching. It is an investment of both time and resources, but it offers some unique benefits, particularly when compared to other forms of marketing. For example, digital marketing is:
Measurable. You can make an estimate of the number of people that may have seen a billboard for your business while driving past it on the highway, but you will never know the exact number for sure. On the contrary, the reach of online advertising can be measured in great detail.
Cost-effective. The cost of promoting a social media post or running an online advertisement is far less expensive than the costs of radio advertisements or television commercials and the results can be incredible. Digital marketing is a cost-effective alternative, which can be a huge asset to small businesses that lack a large traditional marketing budget.
Interaction. Perhaps one of the most meaningful benefits is the ability to interact and engage online. Interaction can be a great way to grow your following and earn customer loyalty. Whether you are responding to a customer on a social media platform like Twitter or Facebook, or following up to an online form or chat message that came in through your website, you are engaging with users where they are—online. This is meaningful customer service and results in repeat business.
Highly Customizable. Digital marketing allows for precise targeting to show your ads to the right people at the right time. For example, you can tailor your ads to display to users within your target age group or demographic, in specific locations or at certain times of day. This ensures the money you allocate for online advertising is put to the best possible use—getting your product or service in front of those most likely to be interested.
The next time your customers are searching for you online, will they find you? Will your current digital presence be enough to earn their business? If the answer is no, call Company 119 today. We will develop a digital marketing strategy that will work for your business.
