Each new financial year, most businesses take time to reflect on their past successes as well as previous failures as they seek to review their plans. Consequently, it is necessary for business operators to evaluate their online strategies as part of the core functions that promote business growth.
Learning how to make your business stand out online will continue adding value to your business in 2018. Additionally, a shift in the way you engage your audience online will bear a significant impact on your reputation. Therefore, understanding when you need to embrace new trends that are effective and relevant is paramount.
Here are some of the strategies you can adopt to help make your business stand out!
1. Convert to HTTPS
Currently, Google Chrome is taking action against HTTP sites by adding a label on forms with the words ‘not secure” as a warning to users who are not on HTTPS.
As a result, the immense resources you create as well as the beautiful landing page you design may display errors to visitors. Consequently, converting to HTTPS is not an option but a must because conversions on your website may decline soon as users shy away from “not secure” forms.
2. Embrace Automation
Offering users personalised services are critical for a successful online strategy in 2018. One worker might only be able to achieve this for only a handful of potential leads. On the contrary, automation makes every customer feel like one of the favourites.
The reason is that automation avails a unified brand experience across all customer channels and individual attention as well. Therefore, adopting a smart engagement platform to recognise visitors by IP address, deliver answers to questions in real-time and one capable of mastering the art of retargeting is a wise idea.
3. Focus on Business-Friendly Networks for Social Media Marketing
It is impossible to underestimate the popularity of social media as a sales channel for business brands. But it is also important to understand that social channels can yield effectiveness in B2B lead generation efforts too.
For instance, a dedicated approach to such professional networks as LinkedIn can target and capture the attention of new leads. Therefore, consider enhancing your social media marketing efforts by;
- Participating in different Linkedln groups.
- Filling up the business page so users can better understand the unique value you offer.
- Posting awareness-stage content directly on the social platform or by linking the company blog.
4. Chatbots
If you are seeking marketing strategies that will drive future success, you need to consider chatbots. Chatbots allow businesses to engage individuals in real-time round the clock. Additionally, you can track and assess all customer engagements to identify and leverage particular strategies to reach out and connect.
5. Email Marketing
The fact that email marketing is one of the few digital marketing channels that continues to claim the top spot of most lead generation strategies is an indication of its effectiveness.
Currently, marketing automation is one of the leading trends in email marketing. Marketing automation helps your business send highly targeted and personalised emails to leads automatically.
Conventional newsletters and email marketing are useful tools. But upgrading to a marketing automation can increase your revenue. This is possible through better targeting users through marketing automation features including behavioural triggers and the ability to capture more data.
6. Content Marketing
Since the scope of content marketing is broad, it’s critical for companies to focus content which will help generate leads. Considering the tactics that other companies are using is a starting point but you need to beware of opting for what everyone else is doing.
Differentiation and experimentation is good for content marketing. Some of the tactics you can consider testing include infographics, microsites, research reports, and blogs.
7. Use of Social Media
With the right platforms and strategy, social media can help your business stand out and generate leads. Growing a following and driving engagement takes dedication and effort as meaningful results won’t transpire overnight.
Social media can be a tricky thing – often what has worked for one business might not the other. It’s safe to say that there’s not necessarily one way to do it and that experimenting is necessary. However, with that said here are some practices that you and your business should consider embracing.
a) Prompt Response and Scheduled Posting
Responding to comments promptly is paramount so pay more attention to the response times. Slow response times especially on Facebook where it’s published affects the perception of your business. Businesses who adhere to Facebook’s response timelines earn a badge of honour after a particular duration.
Additionally, it is necessary to consider when you post content to optimise audience engagement. You should seek to align your posting schedule with the accessibility of your target audience.
b) Updating The Public
According to research by Pew Research Center, many people turn to social media to discover what is new and fresh. Therefore, sharing current affairs relating to your business and industry presents an opportunity to further connect with your audience and stay relevant.
Standing out online can be difficult but these 7 tips can help make the challenge easier. If you’re interested in finding out other ways to help make your business stand out, feel free to reach out.
