Choosing the right tactic for marketing your business should be a decision you take wisely and not hastily. The abundance of marketing types out there and associated “lingo” has often been a confusing path for business owners to walk down. In this article, I am going to look at 4 of the most commonly discussed online marketing tactics. I'll be discussing the benefits of each and then go on to explain why online marketing has changed and how your approach also needs to adapt!
1) Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Probably one of the most popular, if not THE most popular online marketing tactic to date. Many business owners will have heard of SEO or had some sort of SEO work done in the past. Whilst Search Engine Optimisation is still widely used across the competitive World Wide Web, the time it takes to see impactful results can be daunting. Many businesses give up after a few rolls of the die but this type of slice and dice approach could be costing you! If you are going to start doing Search Engine Optimisation my advice to you is to choose a reputable company and be patient. You aren't going to appear at the top of page 1 overnight so make sure you get your expectations right.
Although SEO does take time, it can be one of the most rewarding online marketing tactics out there and in the long run can offer a good return on investment.
Check out some of these informative articles we've written on SEO for a greater understanding:
- Are You Breaking These 6 SEO Cardinal Sins
- 4 Extremely Easy Ways To Boost Your SEO Today
- How To Find The Best Search Engine Optimisation Company
2) Pay Per Click (PPC)
When people think of PPC they think of Google AdWords. Yes, Google AdWords is a type of Pay Per Click advertising but it isn't the only type! There are plenty of other platforms out there that offer Pay Per Click advertising including top Social Media players like Facebook and Twitter. The main benefit of PPC is that you can get straight in front of your target audience and start driving traffic to your website in a matter of minutes. It's the online marketing version of “The Flash”! Be careful though. If you set up a PPC campaign on your own without the right advice you could soon be out of pocket. Make sure you enlist the help of a professional company with the right experience.
Here are some articles we've written on PPC:
- How To Create The Ultimate Google Adwords Ad In 7 Steps
- How Does Google Adwords Work And Why Start Using It For Your Business Today
- How To Use Google Adwords For Your B2B Business To Skyrocket Your Profits
3) Social Media
“Social Media won't work for my business”. I have heard this phrase time and time again. If you fall into this mindset, snap out of it! Social Media can actually work wonders for your business. Yes, it might not work as effectively in every single industry out there but it does for many. You might not be on Facebook or Twitter yourself but that is beside the point. The sheer amount of users that the top Social Media platforms get on a daily basis speak for themselves. If you aren't using Social Media, you're definitely missing the boat! I would advise any business to test the top platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram etc. and see how you get on. Again, however, it is important to have the know-how before giving up and saying that it doesn't work. Either do some research into Social Media and how to use it for business or get the help of a Social Media Marketing company.
Take a look at these articles we've written for more advice:
- 5 Types Of Business Image Ideas For Instagram
- Why Businesses Start Social Media And Then Give Up
- 20 Great Resources About How Social Media Works
4) Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of those online marketing tactics that a lot of business owners have probably dabbled in, to some extent. Some may have found great success and others not so much. However, if done correctly, email marketing can prove to be one of the most, if not THE most cost-effective tactics out of all the ones I have mentioned in this article. If you choose to use email marketing in your business marketing strategy make sure to segment your lists and use personalisation in your emails for best results!
For more advice on email marketing, read some of our top articles on the subject:
- Why Timing Is Crucial With Email Marketing
- Mailchimp Vs Hubspot Which Is Best For Email Marketing
- Shoestring Email Marketing Ideas For Small Businesses
Marketing Has Changed And Your Strategy Needs To Adapt!
Online marketing has taken some huge strides forward in recent years. It has sort of gone through a revolution. Focusing on just one specific marketing tactic like SEO, PPC or Social Media etc. will soon be a thing of the past as it just isn't as effective anymore. If you are just putting all of your eggs in one basket you need to change your strategy now before your online presence becomes extinct! You need to see marketing as a bundle of different tactics using all of the above and more. This is what is known as inbound marketing. Inbound marketing is a concept that will attract customers and generate leads using content, Social Media, SEO, automation and more. It takes all of the top tactics and uses them simultaneously to create a more powerful marketing strategy that WILL get results and WILL grow your business! Inbound marketing helps you attract, convert, close and delight your customers.
Find out more about inbound marketing here: Inbound Marketing Is The Future Of Business
Also, for an informal chat with one of our business growth specialists, call us today on 01332 343281.
