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“Take a risk and keep testing, because what works today won’t work tomorrow, but what worked yesterday may work again.” – Amrita Sahasrabudhe
Achieving success in online marketing for 2020 requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about having a diverse range of effective strategies at your disposal. Many small businesses wonder what tools they should have in their arsenal.
Could you be overlooking a crucial strategy? Are you sticking to outdated methods that are no longer effective? It’s time to assess and adapt!
The cornerstone of establishing your online presence is ensuring your website is both visually appealing and user-friendly. Securing your own domain name and hosting are essential steps in this process.
But why invest in your own website when you could utilize social media platforms like Facebook, selling platforms like Etsy, or major players like Amazon and eBay?
Consider this analogy: it’s like the difference between owning your own house and renting one. When you rent, you’re subject to the landlord’s rules and fees. Your freedoms are limited, and you’re at the mercy of changing rent prices. Moreover, the landlord could decide to sell the property, leaving you searching for a new place to live.
But when you own your home, you’re in control. You can customize it however you like, from owning pets to remodelling the interiors. There are no external rules dictating your actions. It’s your sanctuary.
Having your own website is like owning your home. You make the decisions. You can advertise freely, offer attractive freebies to attract visitors, and design sales strategies that suit your business objectives.
On the other hand, relying solely on third-party platforms is like renting. You’re bound by their rules and subjected to their fees. Worse still, you’re vulnerable to being banned arbitrarily, potentially jeopardizing your entire business overnight. It’s simply not a dependable foundation for building a sustainable business.
In the online world, being found easily can make a big difference for businesses. That’s where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. It helps your website rank higher in search engine results, making it more visible to people searching for what you offer.
Unlocking the secrets of SEO can be a game-changer for businesses. Here are some key aspects you need to know to boost your website’s visibility and conquer the digital realm.
On-site optimization refers to the things you can do on your website to boost your standing with Google. One of the most commonly mentioned is using the right keywords in your content.
You want to choose keywords that have good search volume but aren’t too competitive. Depending on your business, you may want to use local keywords or long-tail keywords. Local keywords contain a reference to your city or province and are very effective for targeting local prospects and customers. Long-tail keywords contain three or more words and can help target your specific product or niche.
You should also include internal links between your pages. For instance, a blog post might link to one or more product pages and your contact page. Internal links help boost the overall profile of your pages and improve their chances of ranking highly.
Your page should also be optimized for mobile. Google started including mobile optimization as a ranking factor several years ago, so if you haven’t made this move, it may be why you’re not ranking well!
Off-site optimization refers to strategies that are not on your website but affect how Google views your pages. Google’s big focus for 2020 is on EAT – your expertise, authority, and trust factors.
One of the most important things to do is claim your Google My Business page. This page gives information about your location, hours, products, and services. Google uses this information for everything from its Local Pack results to helping searchers find the products you offer.
Secondly, you need to encourage reviews from customers as much as you can. Reviews are a strong signal to Google about whether your business is reputable and professional. Encourage people to leave reviews on Google or other high-quality platforms. However, do not fall for the pressure tactics of review platforms that require payment to display reviews. You’re better off without them – stick with your Google business page.
Finally, you still need to be working on link-building. The more authoritative and high-quality pages that link to your website, the higher your EAT will be. Getting quoted in a news source, featured in a high-quality blog, or interviewed in a relevant publication will all make a big difference.
Your website’s security plays a crucial role in how well you rank on Google. Beyond just providing valuable content, Google evaluates factors like load times and security measures when deciding who gets the top spot in search results. One key aspect of security is ensuring your website has the HTTPS protocol. If you haven’t already, it’s essential to make this upgrade promptly.
But that’s not all. Enhancing your site’s security involves more than just HTTPS. It’s also about being transparent with your users. Make sure your website includes clear privacy and security notices, especially if you collect user data or use cookies. Speaking of which, if you employ cookies, it’s important to have a visible disclosure about it.
“Having a page load time between 0-4 seconds is known to have the highest conversion rate.” — HubSpot
To optimize load times, consider implementing caching mechanisms and optimizing image sizes. This not only improves user experience but also boosts your SEO performance.
Furthermore, safeguarding user data is paramount. Utilize proper encryption methods and ensure that any user information you collect is securely stored, especially if it’s for future transactions. By taking these measures, you not only enhance your SEO but also foster trust with your customers, making them feel confident about making purchases on your site.
Earlier, we highlighted the importance of not substituting your website with social media or a sales platform. However, this doesn’t imply that you should neglect them when growing your business. On the contrary, it’s crucial to connect with your potential customers where they’re most active!
Every day, countless individuals engage with social media platforms, offering valuable insights that enable precise ad targeting. Did you know that 54% of people who use the internet will turn to social media to research specific products and services? With such a significant portion of internet users relying on social media for research, it’s evident that these platforms play a crucial role in shaping consumer decisions.
However, diving headfirst into every platform isn’t the most effective strategy. Instead, adopt these proven social media tactics to make the most out of your online presence.
The first step is to think about who you’re marketing to. If you’re focused on a young audience, Instagram or TikTok will be platforms you want to use. If you’re working with adults or older folks, a platform like Facebook is ideal. For women or moms, consider Pinterest.
It’s vital to have a consistent presence, so don’t spread yourself too thin. Consider starting with one platform and building up a following before trying to capture an audience on others. However, go ahead and claim your company name on all the platforms now – you don’t want them to be taken when you’re ready to expand.
A picture is worth 1,000 words, and a video is worth even more. 83% of those who use video say they help with lead generation, and 87% say video increases traffic to their website.
You don’t have to have a ton of money to do well with video marketing. All you need is a simple cell phone to get started. You can invest in more advanced video production later if you want to, but you may find that candid live video is perfect for connecting with your audience.
Remember, social media can be tricky terrain. If you plan your posts ahead, stay alert to current events to avoid any unintentional clashes with public opinion.
When joining trending conversations, ensure your input aligns with your audience’s interests and values. Avoid exploiting or trivializing topics, as social media users can be unforgiving if they feel offended. Sensitivity is key for businesses navigating this dynamic landscape.
We’ve just scratched the surface of the primary drivers of online marketing in 2020, and as you can see, there’s a lot there! Given that you’re also trying to run a business, it may seem overwhelming.
It doesn’t have to be. That’s where Local SEO Search can help. We’ve helped over 10,000 businesses in a variety of industries succeed online, and we’d love to help you as well.
Ready to get started? Contact us today!
