Small business owners know they should be “doing something” to grow their business on the world wide web.  This post provides a big picture snapshot, clarifying the mystery of online marketing.  So you already have a website?  Unfortunately, I can’t tell you that’s a good start.  In fact, depending on how bad the website is (more than 5 years old means it probably has antique value) it’s probably not even the place to start.  That being said, your website is essential to successful online marketing.

1) Start by establishing basic social media “rights”.  Claim your online real estate.  Ok, so you don’t want to learn about Twitter.  You should still own your profile on the major social media networks.  Prevent your ex business partner or your old neighbor or some random stranger from representing your brand online.  Serious about protecting your brand and trademark?  Consider hiring an attorney serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding areas.

2) Set up email marketing.  It’s not a hassle for your prospects.  They can opt out.  But they won’t.  Not when they see the useful info you are sending their way.

3) Search engine optimization opens up a whole new market segment: People who use the internet for researching or buying things.

4) Analytics are not scary or boring.  Google offers great tools that provide intuitive reports.  Who’s visiting, how they found your site, what they read (or didn’t read) on the website.

5) Copywriting populates your website with content.  If your content confuses customers or causes them to click away, there’s a conversion problem.  A content strategy is in order.  Words are powerful. Make your message relevant with professional copywriting.  Then focus on converting people who read through your website into paying customers! 

6) Paying for clicks is a good idea.  Get traffic flowing to your site and find out what search terms are popular with your target market. 

7)  Leads have always been important to business.  The easiest well to tap into is your existing email list.  But the real opportunity comes from funnelling web traffic to your contact form, providing prospects good information they care about and answering questions.

The above is not a how-to guide.  But since you read through it, consider yourself informed on the primary elements of an online marketing strategy.  Want to start generating leads and converting leads to sales.  We would love to ramp up your online marketing! Contact us today!