The pandemic has put quite the strain on local brick-and-mortar stores. From federal and local shutdown orders to reduced incomes, consumers turned to online shopping. Consequently, small businesses experienced a rapid decline in sales, preventing them from covering operational expenses. The only way to avoid shutting down for good is to switch to digital marketing solutions that reach target audiences and appeal to their needs.
While digital marketing has been around for years, some brick-and-mortar shops have no clue how to get started. For years, they’ve relied on traditional marketing concepts like distributing weekly circulars, placing ads in local papers, printing flyers, and word of mouth. Therefore, things like websites, blogs, and social media are foreign concepts they know little about.
Though there’s a lot to learn about digital marketing, local retailers can get started by implementing a few basic components to build brand awareness and boost sales. Small business owners are also encouraged to consult service providers like Power Digital Marketing to enhance these concepts listed below.
A User-Friendly Website
One of the core components of any digital marketing campaign is a user-friendly website. A website serves as a company’s digital business card and virtual store on the internet. Ultimately, the site is how customers will find your store, learn about your products and services, and potentially complete transactions. A user-friendly website should be aesthetically appealing, easy to navigate and provide a positive customer experience.
Social Media Accounts
The second technological resource your small business needs to survive current times is a social media platform. Billions of people access social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, daily for personal and professional purposes. It is essentially how you can engage your target audience, spread the word about your products and services, and generate new leads. For social media to be effective, retailers must utilize strategies ranging from content creation to influencers to keep audiences engaged.
Blogs
Blogging has become a very integral part of digital marketing for businesses. Creating informative, entertaining, industry-related content for interested parties to read can have significant advantages for your company. A well-managed blog can increase your search engine optimization, boost your online presence, attract new audiences, and boost your sales. Of course, you must create diverse, innovative content that is posted consistently to keep audiences engaged.
Content Marketing
If you’re going to be relevant in the digital world, content marketing is a must. Content is a free digital source that you provide to your target audience. It should ultimately educate and inform them about your products and services, increase brand awareness, attract and retain customers, boost your online presence, and separate you from competitors. From information on your website and blog posts to memes and videos, there are several types of content you’ll need to distribute to achieve your goals.
Email Marketing
Like weekly circulars or mailed newsletters, email marketing is essential for retailers who want to survive during the pandemic. As most consumers access their email accounts several times a day, it’s one of the most effective ways to distribute information. Whether you’re notifying them about an upcoming blog post or sending out coupons for a future sale, email marketing platforms allow you to disseminate information to hundreds of consumers in an instant.
The coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted small businesses nationwide. Despite the financial assistance from the federal and local governments, many of them ended up shutting down for good. If you’ve lost sales due to the pandemic and fear you’re headed down the same path, it’s time to make a change.
As millions of consumers have turned to the internet for all their shopping needs, integrating digital strategies into your sales and marketing efforts can make a significant difference. While the above components can help you get started, working with a digital marketing agency can help you to enhance your effectiveness in reaching your target audience and turning things around for the better.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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