Becoming the owner of a small business presents a person with a wide range of various challenges. It is essential to apply the most effective strategies to reach the appropriate customer base and gain considerable profit.
Moreover, consistency in providing top quality services and products is compulsory to be able to retain customers and provide favourable conditions for a business with a promising future.
So, where does this process begin? The most important starting point is determining the right marketing practice for your small business. Here are some of the best marketing practices for small businesses which are worth considering by all means.
‘Universal marketing practices’ for various small businesses is a myth
Although the existence of numerous marketing practices for small businesses cannot be denied, it is undoubtedly true that they are not equally viable for every type of business.
Instead, small businesses owners have to make a serious effort to do research and eventually create customer personas. These are generalized profiles of potential customers. They are created after all the important information on the interests, preferences, buying habits, demographics, and age of your prospective clients has been gathered.
Once you make this step, you can notice the best marketing practice for your particular small business more easily.
Best online marketing practices for small businesses
The popularity of the internet has caused significant changes in the way people do business in this modern era.
Online visibility has become necessary to run and hopefully expand your business. It does not surprise, then, that applying online marketing practices is a must.
Here are some of the online marketing practices for small businesses you can use:
1. Create an outstanding website
What does this actually mean? It means creating a website which will be in line with the most prominent features that guarantee success in the business field. These include:
- SEO optimization
SEO or search engine optimization is a marketing practice of considerable importance for small businesses. It is a whole process which includes optimizing your site so as to make it easily readable by search engines.
Thus, if you want to improve your search engine rankings, hiring professionals in this field is a reasonable thing to do. Companies like Movers Development, which is very knowledgeable in the field, can help you with this matter.
Their professionals know how to organize contents on your website so as to emphasize the relevant keywords. Consequently, rocketing to one of the top positions in search engine results is guaranteed.
- Offering expertise
Anyone who visits your website should be able to see your authority and expertise in the given business field. How to achieve that? Offering a free consultation can be an option.
Also, writing a blog on the most frequent customer issues, dilemmas and problems will help immensely. If you gain the trust of your potential clients, you can expect and hope for the improvement.
- Effective About us page
Introduce your potential clients to your services, experiences, and advantages when hiring your company. Try to emphasize all the qualities that make you a better choice when compared to your competitors.
- Content marketing
Providing potential clients with quality content will not only boost your authority but also create a bond based on trust between you and the clients.
Furthermore, it will improve your SEO. When choosing the topics, bear in mind the customer personas and act accordingly. Write on relevant topics to attract and retain the clients’ attention.
2. Use myriads of benefits social media marketing provides
Considering the number and variety of social media channels, social media marketing can take various directions. Top marketing podcasts for 2014 contain a wealth of information on this subject.
What a small business owner chooses highly depends on the type of business, customer personas, time and resources available. Generally, Facebook marketing can be used for informing your clients on the latest news, engaging with them and making comments on recent activities.
Twitter marketing is convenient for answering customers’ questions. On the other hand, Pinterest and Instagram marketing make spreading visual contents easily achievable. All you need to do is choose the practice which suits your small business best.
3. Using Google My Business is a helpful marketing practice
Google My Business provides its users with both visibility and credibility simultaneously. It is particularly efficient for all those who run a small local business and want to reach local customers. Interestingly, using Google My Business is neither expensive nor hard.
Nevertheless, it is one of the most powerful and extraordinary marketing practices for small businesses. Once you establish your position and promote your brand in the local market, you can start studying the ultimate global marketing guide. This will enable your further development to continue.
4. Email marketing is one of the best marketing practices
Email marketing appeared at the mere beginning of digital marketing practices. The fact that various businesses still use it proves its effectiveness. It functions in a very simple way.
Firstly, you need to provide your first-time website visitors with something appealing and useful. This can be a free download, a discount on some services or products, a site membership or anything similar to that.
However, they will have to do something in return – provide you with their email address or contact info. Then, you can grab the opportunity to provide your potential clients with quality content by using email.
5. PPC advertising can be beneficial for small businesses
To those who are not familiar with the term PPC advertising, PPC stands for pay per click. This type of advertising means that you pay every time someone clicks on your ad content.
Although this marketing practice can be highly beneficial for small businesses, we cannot but mention that it is considered risky as well. When a small business owner decides to use this method, it is of key importance to be sure all relevant requirements have been met.
PPC advertising campaigns are very demanding. Hiring professionals to help you in this field is completely legitimate. Otherwise, you can only waste your financial means without gaining any revenue.
Best offline marketing practices for small businesses
Under no circumstances should offline marketing practices for small businesses be underestimated. They also add up to the company’s development and expansion.
Here are some of them which are very useful:
1. Partnering with other businesses – why not?
This is a very smart move when improving your small business. It is a fact that teams can reach a higher position on the business ladder faster and more easily than individual small business owners.
Moreover, it is a perfect chance to find new customers, share referrals, and help each other reach business goals. The options in this matter are limitless. What you need to pay attention to is to find a proper way for both you and your partner to benefit.
2. Direct mail marketing still exists
Using direct mail marketing is still among the best practices for small businesses. Concerning the technological era we live in, it may be surprising but it is true.
When you approach this endeavor properly, results will be visible soon. If you opt for this type of marketing, make sure you do all you can to stand out from your competitors.
Do not be afraid to risk and explore various options. Your recipients will be more attracted to unusual envelopes, imaginative but yet relevant quality content. Handwriting each of the addresses can be appealing too. To make sure you attract your potential clients’ attention, include a small present into the envelope if possible.
3. Organize promotions occasionally
Promotions are perfect occasions for your prospective customers to try and familiarize with your services and products. Even though they imply investing some money, they are worth it.
These events are an excellent opportunity to prove your quality and expertise in your business field. Let the attendants realize why your company is the right choice for them.
4. Referral program makes one of the best strategies for small businesses
Satisfied customers bring new customers to your door. Also, the satisfied staff does that too. So, what you need to do is establish referrals as a usual marketing practice.
Understandably, both your current customers and your staff will need proper motivation. When it comes to current customers, provide them with a free gift or a discount. On the other hand, your employees will appreciate a few hours off, for example.
5. Participate at local events
For local small businesses acceptance in the local community is of utter importance. Sponsoring some local events is a great opportunity to approach people and present them with your services and products.
Share business cards, but first make sure they are imaginative, unusual and attractive. At the bottom line, you need to make the attendants aware that your business exists and that you deserve their trust.
