If there's one thing we've learned about businesses in recent years, it's that their digital marketing needs are greater than ever before.
Although many types of traditional marketing have been abandoned and are considered obsolete, digital marketing is constantly evolving. That's why 2022 is the year to make the most of all the possibilities they offer, so you can see your business flourish.
1. Modernize your website
Users tend to spend very little time on each website they visit. If you want them to revisit yours, you need to modernise it and make it as friendly as possible for them.
2. Make sure your website is mobile friendly
Mobile website visits have increased exponentially over the years. However, since 2020 and the COVID pandemic19, they have skyrocketed.
With this in mind, adapt your website for mobile devices and allow users to have a comfortable experience and easy access from wherever they are.
3. Focus on user experience (UX)
Users tend to prefer websites that offer an excellent user experience. This is perfectly understandable, as who wants to spend hours trying to navigate a page?
Making user experience a priority will help you win customers over your competitors.
4. Make sure your content solves user's questions
Whether it's on your website or on your social media accounts, the best content is the content that solves the user's questions.
If someone feels like they can't find the answer to their questions or are struggling to understand something and you're not there to help them, they'll probably leave your page (and won't come back).
5. Leverage paid ads
In order to spread their reputation, businesses have used a variety of means over the years. Radio, television, press and more. However, these days, one of the most effective - and cost-effective, by comparison - is paid advertising on the internet.
The cost-income ratio is extremely advantageous and can be achieved through various marketing strategies by increasing website traffic and, increased traffic equals increased awareness and increased revenue.
6. Try new marketing tools
New tools and new programmes help businesses stay up-to-date and make the most of any new opportunities.
Some of the tools you can try include:
- CRM (customer relationship management system), which helps you keep your contacts and sales organised.
- Analytics and reporting software that helps you get data about your customers and use it.
- Tool for SEO Optimization. Tools of this type help you both to create more attractive content for your pages and to check the existing content and improve it.
7. Automate your tasks
Automating your tasks helps you save time and organize your priorities, improving your overall digital marketing strategy.
We suggest you automate the following:
- Email marketing: Schedule your promotional emails to be sent to all your contacts or schedule them to be sent to specific groups, giving them a more personal touch.
- Automate notifications - this is extremely useful to receive notifications every time a customer tries to contact you.
- Automate your social media posts. Save time - schedule and organise your posts across all your social media channels.
- Automate the lead flow. This way, whenever a user wants to download something from your site, for example, they will receive an automated email.
- Automate analytics reporting. Leverage Google Analytics and your CRM and get data on user behavior. This is essential to observe their preferences and adjust your strategy.
8. Create content that users are looking for
Using SEO tools and Google Analtics, find keywords and topics relevant to your industry that people are searching for.
Use this newly acquired knowledge and create appropriate content and good quality resources. Alternatively, use it to improve your existing content, prioritising the content with the highest traffic.
Also, the above method is a "key" for proper and meaningful contact with the user. Besides, when you offer him what he asks for, he subconsciously considers you worthy of trust.
9. Don't neglect the importance of social media videos
Social media marketing is booming and is mainly video-based, as users tend to have a strong preference for anything that is image-based and, above all, video-based.
The social media landscape has changed radically in recent years and apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels, which debuted in 2020, have made videos the most popular form of content.
All marketers agree that video marketing is by far more effective than static marketing and has increased interaction.
Aiming to make the most of this feature and develop it further, try videos with interactive elements, giving unique possibilities to the user.
10. Do not neglect the power of the "local" community
The majority of businesses try to appeal to a global, large audience all at once. However, ideally you should start by doing SEO Optimization on your page that appeals to the local population.
After all, if you have a physical store, the overwhelming chances are that your customers live or hang out near it.
Also, having a Google My Business page is crucial because, combined with a strong backlinking profile, it can rank you high in the search engines.
Finally, take advantage of technology and target the audience mentioned above through geo-location tactics.
11. Use tools that enable digital sales
Users and consumers want instant solutions.
People are not willing to spend hours searching for information and with COVID, which has changed consumer behaviour, they expect everything to be done online, easily and quickly.
So, try incorporating some digital strategies and tools that make it easy for your users to interact with your sales team.
Here are some examples of tools to keep in mind:
- Chatbots:
Chatbots allow visitors to initiate live online chat conversations with business representatives on the company's website. Businesses can provide support and ask questions about potential customers. Also, use video prospecting to stand out among competitors and humanize the online sales process. Personalize your message and include a call to action to schedule a meeting with you. - Pre-recorded demos:
Save time in the sales process by pre-recording your product demonstrations. You'll provide a great user experience where viewers can pause, pause and re-watch the demonstration. - Appointment and planning tools:
Use appointment scheduling tools, such as Calendly, to automatically and accurately schedule meetings with prospective clients. - Internet transactions and e-signatures:
Use easy methods for online transactions and e-signature tools to provide a convenient and fast checkout process for consumers.
12. Build your brand strategically
Whether you are an experienced or a newcomer to the market, you already know that first impressions are crucial. The first impression someone has of you is bound to be a good one.
Your brand is not just a logo and a motto. It has character, it is an ideology. That's why hiring a brand strategist will be one of the best choices you make for the longevity of your company.
13. Calculate and keep a record of expenses
There is a motto that says "To make money, you have to spend money". While this is true and it's practically impossible not to have to put your hand in your pocket, there's no reason not to be smart about it all.
Take the time to carefully study what each channel, platform and tool offers your business, set goals and observe whether they are achievable.
After you have done this, you can decide where and how much money to spend. This, is an important part of your digital marketing strategy and, by skipping it, you are "burning" your money.
The ideal way to do this is to run some campaigns and once they are completed, check the data and invest in the ones that have had the best results. Finally, don't neglect to always record the data.
14. Improve your online presence through SEO
The SEO (Search engine optimization) is a work of science that helps you to promote your website, your product and/or your service.
The way to achieve this is by writing content relevant to your business combined with what the user is looking for. Also, create a relationship with other pages and exchange backlinks. Finally, optimize your website SEO-wise.
15. Get to know your customers
Getting to know your customers and understanding their behaviours will allow you to skyrocket the quality and efficiency of your digital marketing.
As mentioned before, there are a variety of tools that help you understand user behaviour and, with the help of a dedicated marketing team, who will create the respective marketing personas, you will know who to target and how.
16. Try ABM (account based marketing)
A new strategy method worth considering is ABM. Being a personalised, digital marketing strategy, it is mainly concerned with B2B interactions and has excellent results.
17. Create self-service options
People today want immediate satisfaction of their needs.
Create a great user experience by providing the right resources and answering questions. The ways to do this are as follows:
- FAQs: By creating a "frequently asked questions" section, you allow your customers to solve their own questions. This section should include examples, images, explanations, links, etc.
- Video for product training: By creating videos that let your audience know how to use products properly, you show that you care and are interested in making their lives easier.
18. Check your strategy and budget
The coronavirus pandemic has changed consumer behaviour and therefore changed the way we reach our consumers and target our advertising campaigns.
Take a look at last year's marketing metrics to understand what worked and what didn't. This is key to improving search engine optimization and paid advertising in the future. This way, you won't repeat any past mistakes.
Additionally, make all the necessary improvements and incorporate new strategies mentioned above while updating your digital marketing budget.
19. Join Google My Business
If you are a local business or brand name, the inclusion of your company in the Google My Business (GMB) is of utmost importance.
The good news is that you can create the GMB yourself, which is a
free tool that allows you to display your company's information on Google and Google Maps.
You can highlight your brand through photos and posts, as well as display important details such as your opening hours, website, address and phone number.
20. Be authentic
One of the oldest, most interesting and most effective ways to attract new customers has always been authenticity. Invest in a digital marketing plan that primarily reflects you and the customers you want to attract - avoid mass appeals.
This way, your "voice" will be more honest and users will be able to respond and interact more comfortably.
The above tips are guaranteed to improve the quality of your digital marketing strategy. However, feel free to experiment, try new methods and apply whatever brings the best results to your business!
