There is no denying that the world of digital marketing grows larger by the second. While there was a time when print marketing was considered the ideal way to market a business, the loud and hit-or-miss approach is no longer the right way to get the attention of potential clients. With the pandemic ongoing in 2021, some businesses are able to breathe a sigh of relief as things are looking better. While the business sector was turned around during 2020, there is at least a light at the end of the tunnel.
That said, things can still get extremely tricky for startup businesses. After all, a startup has to compete with businesses large and small. There is little capacity for leniency in the current business marketplace, but there is still a ray of hope in the form of Internet marketing with the help of a digital marketing agency.
To ensure that a small business can find its foothold and gain a successful start in 2021, it pays to know all about the different types of digital marketing services that can help. Here are just five of the best digital marketing services startups would do well to adopt.
1. The pay-per-click (PPC) advertising method
For startups that have a good amount of starting capital to work with, it might be a good idea to utilize a PPC method right off the bat. Simply put, PPC helps by having the advertiser pay a small and reasonable fee every time their advert is clicked. It might seem like a simple matter, but it is the inner workings of the pay-per-click account that shows precisely why it is a good idea for new businesses.
For example, not only is the pay-per-click method useful for getting more clicks, but it also has the added benefit of placing the primary website in the paid rankings. It might seem like the better idea would be to go for the slow and steady organic rankings, but the paid rankings can get a surprising number of clicks. It also has the extra benefit of proper analytics, offering data such as keywords and information regarding online users that click on the adverts.If you are starting out and want to learn ppc advertising, you can enroll in an advanced ppc advertising program.
2. Technical search engine optimization (SEO)
Any reputable digital marketing agency knows that the best thing to do to market a website would be to start with the very foundation. Technical SEO involves making changes to the infrastructure of a website to make it easier for the Google algorithm to find and index. One of the interesting things about technical SEO is the fact that the algorithm’s inner processes are largely a trade secret. It is all about learning through trial and error, as well as using patterns to their advantage that sets technical SEO apart.
It is not something that many startup owners realize can help, as many of the changes made is not immediately noticeable. Its biggest advantage is that not many competitors make use of technical SEO, which means a startup could potentially gain an edge over its competitors without necessarily having to take risks. Technical SEO is an ongoing process and one that helps provide a solid foundation for just about any company out there. As a form of digital marketing, having a website built in such a way that makes it easier to find online will undoubtedly help with Internet marketing.
3. Simple web optimization
For many startups out there, the idea that web optimization can be simple is a laughable idea, as it takes plenty of experience to design an optimized website. However, the idea of simple web design is a play on words — simplicity is the name of the game, after all. In the case of general web design, going for simplicity is the most crucial part of the process. As a matter of fact, inspiration could actively hinder an optimized website, as it could potentially convince the site owner to add all sorts of unnecessary widgets and accessories to a site whose sole purpose is to turn users into potential buyers.
The best thing to do when optimizing a site would be not to get carried away with anything. If there is a part of the site that is causing slow loading times, consider having it removed as soon as possible. The trick is to find a way to keep things short and sweet. While technical SEO might delve into the inner workings, web optimization is all about making the online user feel welcome by respecting their time and getting straight to the point.
4. Informative content marketing
For web optimization, simplicity is the key to success. However, when it comes to content marketing, long-form content often does better than keeping things short and sweet. The rule of thumb for such things is to keep things simple and short in every aspect of a website except the blogs and articles. When it comes to the actual content, long-form content of a thousand words or more can provide many more benefits than it initially seems.
With a higher word count than usual, it also has the added benefit of using best-practice methods for local search engine optimization. For example, long and informative articles do not always have to be restricted to the products. In the case of a local business, the products often tie into the location, which is a great topic for an article. Not only will a company have a solid digital marketing tactic with long-form content marketing, but they also have a chance to narrow the playing field and attract their target audience with local SEO.
5. Online reputation management (ORM)
One of the advantages of online reputation management is that it is typically already a priority for most digital marketing and SEO agencies out there. When a company makes use of a quality agency, ORM is one of the top priorities. It also helps that there are plenty of ORM tools available to help a new business maintain a positive relationship with the Internet masses.
The reason why ORM is so crucial is that a single bad review can be all it takes to tank a new business in a competitive industry. It can be an intimidating thought, but careless marketing tactics and subpar services could result in big problems simply because most people are willing to write about their experiences. Similarly, if the company is always putting their best foot forward, they can expect their clients to write all manner of positive reviews. Fortunately, not all is lost when a company gets a bad review — the idea of ORM is not just to avoid negative reviews, but to turn things around if someone writes a less than flattering review of the business. Having specialists focus on online reputation management can help startup owners breathe a sigh of relief, as they can focus on other aspects. Keep in mind that one’s online reputation can change on a dime, and there is always a chance to turn things around with the help of the right software.
Digital marketing is something that every company has to face. Even small businesses that focus on a physical establishment still have to do something to spread the word. It can be something as simple as having family and friends talk about the business on social media or availing of the services of a digital marketing agency. Whatever the reason, digital marketing is a mainstay that cannot be denied if the startup owner wants to find success in 2021. Internet marketing is set to become even bigger in the coming years, which is why it is always worth taking the time and resources to develop a strong marketing strategy online.
