So, if marketing is so important for business success, what are small businesses missing out on?

So, if marketing is so important for business success, what are small businesses missing out on?

The firms that I see having the greatest marketing success today are those who understand how to use technologies to better manage their marketing and make informed decisions about how to spend their advertising expenditures.

Here are five newbie blunders in internet marketing that you can simply avoid!

1. FAILING TO INVEST IN A WEBSITE THAT IS SUITABLE FOR YOU AND YOUR BUDGET

This can't be emphasised enough. Your website is more than just a shop; it's also a time and money-saving tool. It's a combination of your marketing, sales, and customer support teams. It can, however, be your largest stumbling hurdle.

Consider which functionalities are most critical for your business to avoid overspending or underspending on your website.

If you want to sell things online, make it as simple as possible for the customer to complete the transaction without becoming lost or stranded. Make use of a current shopping cart platform. Keep in mind that you'll almost certainly need to install tracking codes along the road.

If all you want to do is get people to come into your store, provide directions, thorough information, and reviews, and focus on a design that best suits you.

Please, please, PLEASE make your phone number visible if you want calls!

And what's the most effective strategy to persuade visitors to convert once they arrive at your site? A rallying cry! You must lead your customers to the destination you desire; else, they may abandon your site. Encourage potential clients to "Buy now and save," "Sign up for our newsletter for great deals," "Get a free quotation now," or anything similar to stay competitive online.

There's a lot more to this than meets the eye, so do your homework before making any conclusions.

2. UNSURE OF WHEN TO DO IT YOURSELF VS. LEAVING IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

One of the ways to compete in today's Internet-dominated world is to have a strong online image. And you might require expert web marketing assistance to accomplish so.

Accomplish you have adequate knowledge of internet marketing platforms, site development, design (or whatever you're attempting to do yourself) to solve probable issues? Are you up to date on the latest rules and best practises? Is it possible for the advertising you create to compete with those in your industry?

I suggest go for it if you can honestly respond yes. If not, consider taking on smaller bits of the marketing jigsaw to save money, such as writing content or snapping photos. You'll thank yourself later since you'll have more time to focus on delivering exceptional service, growing your reputation, and meeting demand rather than putting out fires you're not able to handle.

3. FAILURE TO TRACK BUSINESS AND INCOMING TRAFFIC

Wouldn't it be great to know where your website visitors are coming from, how long they stay on the site, and even how much money you make from different traffic sources?

Surprise! All of this is already possible with Google AnalyticsTM. Surprise, surprise: it's absolutely free! All you need to know is how to read and use the dashboard.

Google Analytics and other tracking services may help you keep track of where your visitors and even sales are coming from so you can figure out how best to spend your marketing budget. You can only assume if you don't employ any kind of tracking, which might result in lots of waste.

You'll need to install a code to get started with Google Analytics. This is something you should discuss with your site developer. However, I propose that you learn how to interpret your own website data. There are a plethora of publications and forums available online that may help you learn the fundamentals, which is really all you need to know to get started. There are also some excellent introduction movies available on YouTube.

4. FAILING TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOUR CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE.

Users on the internet are seeking for quick and simple solutions. They don't want to waste time looking around, and they don't have to with so many possibilities. According to a Time storey from last year, 55 percent of people spend less than 15 seconds engaged on a webpage. You have considerably less time on your website to convert a potential consumer than you would if they walked into your business.

Even while there are differences in age groups and other demographics, the main fact is that online users are lazy. Make a list of everything. To guide people through your conversion funnel, use explicit calls-to-action. So they don't have to leave the site, provide answers to any inquiries they could have. Make things simple for them.

And, if I haven't stated it loudly enough, go back to number one: have your website do the heavy lifting.

5. IMPROPER USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media has the potential to be a double-edged sword. It's free advertising when used appropriately. You're harming your brand's image or wasting too much time on marketing that isn't paying off if you use it wrong.

You can certainly reach people on social media, but the question is which platform will best assist you in reaching your target audience – and how can you reach them in the most effective and timely manner?

Also read : Top digital marketing company in Ahmedabad