2010 may still be young at the time of writing, but we’ve already noticed a significant increase in businesses investing in smart marketing solutions such as search engine optimisation (SEO) and professional email marketing.
SEO for All
We talk with many business owners who mistakenly think that SEO is not important to their business. They often get a pleasant shock when they realise how many people are searching online for keywords and phrases related to what they do.
A common thought is “my business can’t compete with the big national companies” and for the keywords and phrases with the highest search volumes this is probably true. However, there are many long tail and local keywords and phrases out there which have lower traffic levels but can still convert into valuable business.
For example, if you were a company selling fire alarms nationally, an example would be to tackle the long tail key phrase “fire detection and alarm system” rather than the more competitive “fire alarm system”.
Another way you can compete in the search engines is to go local. For example if you only operate in Manchester then “fire alarm Manchester” will be easier to rank for in the search engines and more relevant as opposed to trying to rank highly for the generic term “fire alarm”.
Keep in Touch with Email Marketing
When we’re building new websites for clients we always sing the praises and benefits of email marketing.
Companies can spend hundreds or thousands of pounds every month chasing new customers but often don’t give a second thought to looking after their existing ones.
Email marketing is a very quick and cost effective method of keeping in touch with people who’ve either ordered from you before or expressed an interest in your product or service.
By keeping in touch with these people regularly you can soon build up a band of loyal customers. If these clients then tell someone else about your great product or service, you will also benefit from free word of mouth advertising.
By having a simple email newsletter signup box on your website you can gain access to a whole host of opportunities for your business whether you’re just starting out or well established.
How Much Business Are You Missing Out On?
The answer to the question above very much depends on the individual business, but with a 21% rise in online retail sales between 2008 and 2009 and almost £50 billion spent last year, it’s clear to see the potential.
70% of UK households had internet access in 2009 and this figure is set to rise still further in 2010.
If your business isn’t already making the most of its online presence, now is the time to act because many of your competitors will already be reaping the rewards of these smart marketing solutions.