If there’s one thing that 2020 has taught us, it’s that life and businesses are fragile. In this kind of marketing scenario, if a business doesn’t invest in digital marketing, it will likely lose both money and customers.

According to this Think With Google marketing survey conducted in 2018, over a two year period, there was a 900%+ growth in mobile searches for “___ near me today/tonight.”  If you are a brick-and-mortar business that depends on foot traffic in your store, this kind of marketing is nothing short of necessary.  And the best part of it is – it’s completely free, and all you have to do is register your business on Google’s My Business.

The most important consideration for digital marketing for modern-day businesses is that much of it can happen a low cost, or even free. The days when businesses had to pay thousands of dollars for television spots or billboard ads are over. In today’s marketplace, since 70% of marketers are actively investing in content marketing, focusing your marketing dollars on a digital space is not only a wise choice – it’s absolutely necessary in today’s Internet-driven marketplace.

If you’re convinced that digital marketing is what your business needs, here are a few steps to get started:

  1. Register your business with Google.

Since so many consumers are using Google’s products to find businesses and services, one of the easiest ways to start your business’s digital marketing campaign is to make sure you are registered with Google’s My Business platform. My Business is a free tool that allows you to enter in your business information and address in order for it to show up on Google Search and Google Maps. Not only is this free – it’s absolutely necessary if you want customer traffic based on quick smartphone “near me” searches.

  1. Fill your website with useful, informative content

Google’s algorithm for listing search results changes almost monthly, but there are a few things it looks for that have remained consistent for a while. For example, one thing Google looks for when it is crawling pages to determine search engine results is unique content. This is why it’s so important to make sure the content you are placing on your website and blog is unique, engaging, and informative for your website’s visitors. While keyword density is important, it’s equally important to avoid keyword stuffing, or other black hat SEO techniques, which is something Google now punishes websites for.

  1. Get social!

Ensuring that your business has a social media presence is another cost-effective and easy approach to digital marketing. You can use social media to expand your client base, as well as guide online traffic toward any blog or marketing campaign you might set in motion. The best part of having a social media presence is that it’s the new “word of mouth” avenue to ensure that news of your business spreads among your network. Positive reviews on social media provide your prospective customers with the assurance they need to trust your business and the services or goods it provides.

Beyond having a social media following, Facebook is a perfect opportunity for ad campaigns to your potential customers. SEO experts understand the importance of creating targeting and retargeting campaigns through Facebook advertising to create leads and generate interest among your followers.

Why do I need an expert?

While much of digital marketing can be done by a novice, it takes an expert to understand the ever-changing rules surrounding Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and building a following on social media.For example, SEO experts understand that Facebook ad campaigns are a layered approach, including finding new customers while also holding on to prior clientele. With the right expert helping you, you’ll find that Facebook is an excellent way to generate traffic to your website and brand.