Technological advancements have transformed marketing for businesses, especially small startups that couldn't afford TV spots and large street billboards. Social media sites and other online platforms have made digital advertisements the savior of small businesses.

Data shows that 80% of customers are likely to visit a nearby brick and mortar store if they can explore its inventory online. So, how do you ensure your small business dominates online channels, attracts prospective clients, and converts them into buyers? Here are the best digital marketing strategies for small businesses.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization is one of the easiest and surest ways to drive new customers to your business. When starting out, it’s important to attract local customers before targeting regional, national, or global clients. In order to do this, you need to optimize your business website for local search.

Data shows that 80% of local searches by customers convert. Create a user-friendly website with informative and optimized content (by using keywords). Also, make sure your website is mobile-friendly because most customers search for products and services from their mobile devices.

Content Marketing

Content marketing entails using content to create brand awareness, attract new customers, and build trust with existing clients. It’s what you should focus on after creating your website and social media pages. 

Create informative articles, infographics, and videos and share them on your blog and on your social media accounts. If you tailor your content to a specific audience, you will start making sales soon.

Local Search Marketing

Search engines are an important channel through which prospective clients access your business. Whether they are searching for the best low-budget smart TVs on YouTube or the best roof repair service in Dallas, search engines are the point of contact between them and your businesses. 

One of the most critical marketing strategies for small businesses is creating a Google My Business listing. Coupled with Google Adwords and pay-per-click promotions, a business can attract both organic and paid traffic to its website and physical store.

If you own a dealership, have a car stock photo library to create irresistible pay-per-click ads then use Google ads to rank your website on the first page of Google. Also, ask happy customers to leave positive reviews on your Google My Business profile. 

Social Media Marketing

By January 2022, there were approximately 4.62 billion social media users worldwide. Facebook leads with over 2.9 billion users. Social media marketing is essential for every small business because competition is getting stiffer every day. Creating a social media page and getting hundreds of followers is not enough to scale your business today.

Here’s how to use social media marketing to promote your products or services:

• Choose the most suitable social platforms
• Create a marketing plan and include details like how often you’ll post and when you’ll use social media ads 
• Use the 80/20 social media rule: 80% of your posts should inform or entertain, while 20% should promote your products explicitly
• Be professional and engage with your followers in comments, mentions, and direct messages

When used correctly, social media can give you one of the best returns on investment for your marketing efforts.