Utilizing Digital Marketing for Small Businesses

Utilizing Digital Marketing for Small Businesses

Starting a business is easy, but becoming a thriving entrepreneur is even more challenging, especially when one does not possess the right skills. For businesses to thrive, gaining a competitive advantage within their niche is critical in making them achieve even superior margins, survive harsh environments and beat the possible odds (Schaper et al. 21) The challenge is even more complicated for small businesses. A survey by the small business association in 2019 showed that out of all the small businesses started in the United States, only 50 percent survive beyond five years, and only 25 percent of small businesses make it through beyond 15 years (99 Firms). By adopting the right strategies, small businesses can withstand harsh environments and thrive. Digital marketing is one of the most important strategies that a small-sized business can adopt to gain a competitive edge in the market regardless of who the business competitors are or their geographical location..

Digital marketing is a form of online marketing that utilizes online-based digital technology and online marketing in promoting their services and products. Chaffey and Fiona Ellis assert that both small and large businesses can leverage digital marketing channels such as social media marketing, search engine optimization, pay per click, affiliate marketing, and email marketing, increasing the business turnover. In a 2019 research by small Business Association, it was noted that 74 percent of consumers rely on social media in making purchases. However, only 41 percent of small businesses have an active online presence. The survey also indicated that 80 percent of shoppers do their research online and that 40 percent of clients tend to be repeat customers (99 Firms). Digital marketing can, therefore, make small-sized businesses stand I perfect competition as it is not restricted to large corporations, and above all, it is cost effective.

Integrating digital marketing into a business can be confusing at first. However, it is not rocket science and can be done by just any business owner. In rare cases, does a business owner need to employ someone else to manage their digital marketing for them. For starters, embedding keywords in social media posts, online blogs is one of the strategies to use in digital marketing. Keywords are some of the common words customers use to search for products and services online, and having the right percentage of keyword can make a business stand out in search engines such as google or yahoo. For blogs, website and social media, it is important to provide customers will all the important information regarding their products and services (Chaffey, and Fiona ). It is therefore important to write stories customers can relate to and those that evoke emotions as they believe that they are dealing with professionals.

Digital marketing may seem like a lot of tasks for a small business, and one may wonder how to manage different digital platforms. However, in the ever dynamic world, technologies continue to play a significant role in managing businesses. Small businesses can, therefore, rely on a number of digital marketing tools to help in managing their digital presence (Chaffey, and Fiona). Such resources and tools help in scheduling posts, providing market insights as well as articles on how to stand out in a given industry and one such resource is Hubspot.

Creating a successful business requires the incorporation of a number of techniques. Although entrepreneurs start businesses every day, hardly do half of the businesses make it beyond the first five years. Given the current level of advancement in technology, small-sized businesses can adopt the right digital marketing strategies and even compete with large organizations. Understanding customer needs and adjusting and addressing them is the most important aspect of digital marketing that small-sized business owners need to achieve.

References

Schaper, Michael, et al. “Entrepreneurship and Small Business: 3rd Asia-Pacific Edition.” (2010): 21.

99 Firms. “Small Business Statistics [Updated March 2020] | 99Firms”. 99Firms.Com, 2020, https://99firms.com/blog/small-business-statistics/#gref. Accessed 20 Mar 2020.

Chaffey, Dave, and Fiona Ellis-Chadwick. Digital marketing. Pearson UK, 2019.