6 Steps to Digital Marketing for Small Businesses

6 Steps to Digital Marketing for Small Businesses

As a small business owner, you face more than your fair share of challenges. After all, you must oversee daily operations, ensure that employees are being productive, and figure out how to market your product. Sounds easy, right?

Like most small business owners, you might be looking for ways to better connect with customers. If so, then you have come to the right place. Below, we’ll outline 6 easy steps for planning your digital marketing strategy to improve your return on investment.

1.   Identify Consumer Needs

No matter what industry you are in, it is essential that you identify customer needs. What role does your current product fill? How is your upcoming product release going to improve the lives of consumers?

By answering these simple but important questions, you can come up with a strong marketing strategy. Instead of relying on witty ads and an overabundance of creativity, your product will speak for itself. Consumers will see your product in action and immediately understand the value it can bring to their lives.

2.   Analyze Strengths and Weaknesses

If you are serious about growing your business, then you have to be realistic about any strengths and weaknesses that are present. 

Review your business’ performance over the last year to see what has worked and what hasn’t. It is important that you give yourself credit for successes while also owning up to any shortcomings.

While you are at it, make sure to identify threats and opportunities, as well. What market trends threaten your prolonged success? Are there any opportunities to connect with consumers that you have failed to take advantage of? 

Answering these questions will give your marketing strategy some much-needed direction.

3.   Define Your Audience

In addition to identifying consumer needs, you should also define your target audience. Sit down with your marketing team and list the key traits of your ideal consumer. 

Is your target demographic working moms or avid outdoorsmen? Not every product is ideal for every consumer and that is okay. The important thing is to determine who is going to buy your product. This can help you avoid waste when it comes to marketing, optimizing your ROI

4.   Set Tangible, Data-Driven Goals

With the help of tracking tools like Google Analytics, measuring the growth of your business is easier than ever before. Using these tools, you can take the guesswork out of digital marketing planning

Examine your company’s performance to see what content was a hit with consumers. Use this information to set data-driven goals. 

For instance, you can set a goal of increasing web traffic by 15% in the next quarter.  You might be surprised at just how much you can learn about your business by reviewing the analytics.

5.   Define Your Marketing Tools

While no one expects you to become an expert marketing strategist overnight, it is vital that you understand the basics. Identify which tools you are using and which ones are not being leveraged.

For instance, are you regularly updating your website with SEO-centered content? Does your business have an active social media page on Facebook or Instagram? 

If not, then you are leaving money on the table and missing out on hundreds of chances to connect with consumers. 

6.   Partner with a Digital Marketing Strategy Agency

As you can see, the world of digital marketing can be quite involved. However, you may not be able to give this essential aspect of business management the time it deserves. Fortunately, we can help!

Insights ABM is a digital marketing strategy agency that provides clients with data-driven solutions. If you want your company’s online presence to grow, then contact our experts today! We can provide you with a free consultation and help you to reach your target audience more effectively than ever before.

Joe Cantu

Joe is a digital marketing strategist and media buying/planning leader with 13+ years of expertise in marketing strategy and program management, omnichannel campaign delivery, brand building, data analytics, and customer experience/UX optimization. He has helped drive growth for industry-leading clients, including F500/F100 firms.