Basics of Online Marketing

Basics of Online Marketing

This course teaches you how to have a good online presence by making a website, using social media, and getting seen in local business listings and review sites. In today’s world, being online is key. Websites used to be simple online pages, but now they offer a lot more. They have search functions, live chat with experts, customer reviews, videos, and even order tracking, and more.

For More Articles And Courses Click here 

Before you start your website, it’s important to think about its purpose. How will it help your business? We’ll talk more about this later, but remember that new technologies are exciting, not all are necessary for your business goals. You might not even need a website to do business online. For example, a bakery might just need an easy way for customers to find them—whether that’s through a website, a local listing, or another platform.

If you’re looking for a bakery near you, you might type “bakery near me” in a search engine. The results will show local bakery websites and business listings. Many businesses use local listings like Google Search, Google Maps, or Bing Places for Business. These listings are often free and let you share important information such as descriptions, reviews, maps, and photos, making you more visible in search results.

Review sites can also boost your online presence. Customers can leave feedback, and you can reply. Good reviews can put you ahead of your competition. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ are also good to promote your business online, either in addition to or instead of having a website.

Mobile apps are a great way to connect with your customers. If you’ve used apps on your phone, you know they can be very useful. You could make your own app, which could help keep customers interested. For instance, if your app knows a customer’s location, you could let them know about special deals nearby. Apps can also keep customers coming back by giving them special rewards, like a free coffee with their cake.

In summary, you can choose to have a website, local business listing, social media, a mobile app, or a mix of these. It’s crucial to know what you want to achieve. Think about what you want your customers to do and set up your online tools to make that happen. Your online presence is like a digital shop front—you get to decide how to show your business in the best way.

We’ve got more lessons ready on these topics. But for now, let’s focus on websites. You’ll learn about how websites are put together, how to pick and get a domain name, and how to make a good-looking website that helps you reach your business goals. Check out the next video to start!

Here’s a way to organize the online presence of your business and potential future actions to improve user engagement:

Current Online Presence:

1. Website

   • Your business’s main online hub, containing basic info, contact details, and possibly an online store or blog.

2. Social Media Accounts:

   • Facebook: Used for posts, promotions, customer interaction, and sharing updates.
   • Instagram: Used for showcasing visual content (photos of products, behind-the-scenes content, customer photos, etc.).
   • Twitter: Quick updates, engaging with customers, and handling customer service.
   • LinkedIn: Professional networking and B2B connections.

3. Local Business Listings:

   • Google My Business: Business hours, location, customer reviews, photos, etc.
   • Bing Places for Business: Similar to Google, but for Bing users.
   • Yelp: User reviews and ratings.

4. Review Sites:

   • Sites like Yelp, Trustpilot, or industry-specific platforms where customers leave feedback.

5. Other Online Directories:

   • Niche or local online directories listing your business, services, or products.

Measures to Implement in the Future:

1. Website Optimization:

   • Content: Create a blog to share industry news, how-to guides, product tips, or customer stories. This helps establish authority in your field and keeps visitors coming back for fresh content.
   • Functions: Add live chat functionality to answer customer inquiries instantly, improving user experience and reducing bounce rates.
   • Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, providing a seamless experience for users on smartphones and tablets.

2. Expanded Social Media Strategy:

   • Content: Post user-generated content, such as customer testimonials or photos of customers using your products/services, to build trust and encourage engagement.
   • Functions: Run giveaways or contests that encourage users to like, comment, and share. Consider using Stories and Reels for interactive content on Instagram and Facebook.
   • Engagement Tactics: Regularly engage with followers by responding to comments, liking posts, and asking questions in your posts to increase interaction.

3. Online Reviews:

   • Content: Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews. Share those reviews on your website and social media to increase credibility.
   • Function: Set up email reminders for customers after a purchase, asking them to leave a review. Make it easy for them with direct links to your review pages.

4. Local Business Listings:

   • Content: Regularly update your business hours, product offerings, and special promotions on Google My Business and other platforms.
   • Function: Ensure your business information is consistent across all directories to improve search engine ranking and local visibility.

5. Mobile App Development:

   • Content: Include exclusive offers and discounts within the app to encourage downloads and usage.
   • Functions: Allow customers to make purchases, book services, or check for product availability directly through the app. Use push notifications to alert users to promotions or new arrivals.

6. Email Marketing:

   • Content: Build a subscriber list and send out regular newsletters with product updates, promotions, and industry insights.
   • Functions: Segment your email list to personalize offers based on user behavior, location, or purchase history. Include clear calls-to-action to encourage website visits or direct purchases.

Encouraging User Engagement:

• Content Marketing: Share useful content that adds value for your audience (e.g., tutorials, blog posts, videos, infographics). The more helpful and relevant your content, the more likely users will engage and share it.

• Interactive Features: Polls, quizzes, and interactive posts on social media and your website can encourage users to participate and interact. You can also create challenges or hashtag campaigns to boost user-generated content.

• Promotions & Discounts: Offer exclusive discounts to users who engage with you online (e.g., like your Facebook page, share your post, or leave a review). Incentivizing engagement with rewards can lead to increased activity.

• Personalized Communication: Respond to comments, messages, and reviews promptly. Address customers by name and make them feel valued to foster loyalty and build a community.

• Community Building: Create and nurture an online community, such as a Facebook group or forum, where customers can connect, share experiences, and engage with your brand. You can also encourage user-generated content, like photos or stories, that highlight your products/services.

By consistently building and improving your online presence, focusing on content and user engagement, and implementing some of these measures, you’ll strengthen your digital footprint and cultivate stronger connections with your audience.