In today’s market it can often be difficult to remain competitive. Customers are spoiled for choice and will very often get more than one quotation to compare. Customers look to online platforms such as Facebook and Google for reviews as well as ratings. It is more important than ever to provide the best service possible, keep a good reputation and to constantly improve. However, this is great news for consumers. Businesses should take this as an opportunity to promote their good service and ratings through these online platforms.
Many business owners have their own ways of reaching their target audience or potential customer. Some rely only on word of mouth which can be very powerful. Some use flyers or print adverts. Others with bigger budgets may use TV or Radio adverts. Whatever your view or opinion, it would be a bad idea to overlook the various online platforms where your customers spend most of their time. Online and on their mobile devices.
Did you know that the average person checks their phone up to 150 times a day? Did you know that there are around 13 million Facebook users in South Africa alone? Smartphone users check their Facebook on average 14 times per day. With statistics like these, this should definitely peak your interest in online and Social Media advertising.
10 Years ago it was important for every business to be advertising in the Yellow Pages. Every business needed to have some sort of online presence such as a basic html website. Today, if your business does not have a mobile responsive website, you are falling very far behind. Should your business be advertising online?
Consider this. The need for people to search for what they want has not changed. Only the “how” they search has changed. While older generations still swear by the print directories, the 20 to 50 year old will use the internet. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing with Google being by far the most popular. Can you identify?
It goes even one step further. Not only are the majority of people using Google to be connected with businesses, products, places or people through Google searches, they are doing it through their mobile devices. In South Africa approximately 50% of searches are on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets and 50% on desktop computers. Google connects the user with the most relevant search results so that the user has the best possible experience with their search and continues to use Google in the future to find what they are looking for.
First and foremost, every business today should have a website. Make sure it is mobile responsive. This means the user should not have to zoom in to view your website. Your website should adapt to the screen it is being viewed on. If half of your potential customers are searching on a mobile device you want to be sure that they are connected to your website, able to navigate the site easily, find valuable information and then contact you or visit your business.
Secondly, make sure your website can be found on search engines. It is not enough to just have a website. Typing your business name into Google search does not mean people will find you either because users are searching for your service or product.
For this you will need the services of a reputable company that provides SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If your website is not properly optimized, it will be difficult for Google or other search engines to know that your website is relevant to the search being conducted and you will not appear on the search results page. Think of the internet being a giant library and of Google as the librarian. Every book (website) must be properly categorized and indexed so that you can find it easily in the relevant section.
Being on page 1 of Google searches can turn a small business into a thriving institution, simply by connecting your services to the people who require it, instantly.
Another incredible online marketing tool is Google Adwords. These are the paid for ads that you see on the top and bottom of the Google search results page. This is a great way to reach customers quickly and accurately through the use of relevant keywords. If you are a plumber wanting your ad to show to customers who need your services, you would run a Google ads campaign using keywords such as “plumbers”. “emergency plumber” or “plumber near me”. Even better, you can choose the locations where your adverts should appear. If you only service customers in a 20km radius around your business address, you can target your adverts to do just that.
In conclusion, there has never been a more effective form of marketing. To be connected with your customers in the right place and time, when they need you. Should your business be advertising online? The answer is YES.
Useful Links:
http://deepthoughtmedia.co.za/
http://cheap-websites.co.za/