Online Marketing 101

Implement these 10 best practices to see better results from your online marketing.

Begin with a specific, measurable goal
Determine what you want to accomplish with each marketing piece—pay-per-click ad, blog post, e-mail newsletter, social media post—you create. Make your goal specific and measurable. Do you want x more website visitors next week? An increase of $xxxxx in your net income by this time next month? Put it in writing.

Set a budget
While some digital marketing—like posting on many social media sites—is free, it is important to set a budget to build and maintain your online presence. You want customers to continually return to your website and/or blog to engage with you and make purchases.

Know your customers
The most effective online marketing is targeted to a very specific demographic—your ideal customers. Get to know your customers and their desires, needs, problems, and wishes so you can create content in your digital marketing plan that speaks to them personally.

Also, by knowing your customers, you won’t waste time on social media platforms that don’t interest your customers. Spend time where they spend time.

Offer something of value
Instead of a sales pitch, create valuable content that educates or entertains your desired audience. They want answers, they want to learn, and they want a fun way to pass the time when they are bored or traveling.

Make it mobile
As we mentioned in “Mobile Trends And Tactics To Get Your Business Noticed,” mobile use is on the rise. Every online marketing campaign needs to be mobile-friendly. Use a responsive e-mail template and valuable content to make a better showing in search results. Add online marketing features like hashtags and your website URL to both mobile and your printed marketing material.

Go organic
Forget keyword stuffing to get better search engine results. When your content is valuable to your target market and you focus each piece on one specific topic, your writing doesn’t sound unnatural or forced and your SEO is organic.

Be responsive
For best results, be quick to respond to comments and complaints. You want your customers to feel you truly hear them and care about customer service and solving their problems. Your responses will also add to your online marketing.

Be patient
Be patient waiting for results from your online marketing. You may see immediate results when you post on social media but it may take up to a year for search engine optimization to achieve your goals.

Measure ROI
You set a specific, measurable goal as your first step in online marketing. Be sure to measure your return on your investment.

Evaluate
Look at each online marketing campaign and decide what worked and what didn’t. Make plans and adjustments—in budget, content, targeted demographic, platform—to achieve equal or better results next time.

Here at Tate Design, we help you identify the best online marketing venues and deliver effective, trackable campaigns.  Call Tate Design at 610.725.0702 or e-mail [email protected] to plan your online marketing strategy.