At our agency, we have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, from established companies to start-ups and individual entrepreneurs. Through our experience, we have seen that many great specialists in their field often struggle with the process of establishing a digital presence and selling their products or services online. We understand the challenges that come with starting from scratch, and we’re here to help.
Whether you’re launching a new product or service or seeking to expand your existing online presence, our seven-step guide will help you to understand the digital marketing cycle better:
1. Defining your digital marketing goals
2. Developing a digital marketing plan
3. Identifying the right digital marketing channels
4. Optimizing your website for search engines
5. Building a strong social media presence
6. Creating valuable content
7. Tracking your results
1. Define your digital marketing goals
The first step to creating a successful digital marketing strategy is to define your goals. What do you want to achieve through your digital presence? This could be increasing website traffic, generating leads, boosting sales, or improving customer engagement. Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you can tailor your digital marketing efforts to achieve them.
In this step we recommend seeking advice from a business developer who can help you create a solid financial plan and conduct a market audit. A well-developed financial plan and a clear understanding of your target market are crucial components of a successful digital marketing strategy.
2. Develop a digital marketing plan
Once you have your goals in mind, it’s time to develop a plan to achieve them. This should include a clear outline of your target audience, the channels you’ll use to reach them, and the tactics you’ll use to engage them – a digital communication strategy. Your plan should also include a budget and timeline, as well as metrics to track progress towards your goals.
At this stage, it’s highly recommended to consider partnering with a digital marketing agency or consultant who can provide you with valuable insights to identify your business’s strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to make informed decisions to optimize your digital marketing strategy, saving you valuable time and resources in the long run.
3. Identify the right digital marketing channels
This step is basically included in the development of the communication strategy. There are numerous digital marketing channels to choose from, including social media, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and content marketing. It’s important to choose the channels that are most likely to reach your target audience and align with your goals. For example, if you’re targeting a younger demographic, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok might be more effective than email marketing.
4. Optimize your website for search engines
Your website is your digital storefront and is often the first point of contact with potential customers. It’s essential that your website is:
1) easy to navigate (decent UX);
2) visually appealing (well-done UI);
3) optimized for search engines (this is the famous abbreviation ‘SEO’).
The costs and time required for developing a webpage can vary significantly depending on the approach you choose. You can opt for custom solutions or leverage web page builders such as Wix, Squarespace, Mozello, Shopify, WordPress, and more. Each option comes with its pros and cons, making it essential to seek consultancy before making a decision. With the help of an experienced consultant, you can identify the best approach to meet your business goals and budget requirements.
5. Build a strong social media presence
Social media is a powerful tool for building brand awareness and engaging with customers. Choose the platforms that are most relevant to your target audience and create a consistent brand voice across all channels. Maintaining consistency in brand image and messaging is crucial for effective digital marketing, and this includes, e.g., using similar (matching) profile picture, cover photo, and bio across all relevant platforms. It’s also important to create engaging content that resonates with your audience and encourages interaction.
6. Create valuable content
Content marketing is all about creating valuable, relevant content that attracts and engages your target audience. This could be blog posts, videos, infographics, or social media posts. By creating content that answers questions, solves problems, or entertains your audience, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and build trust with potential customers.
When deciding whether to manage your digital marketing strategy in-house or delegate tasks to specialists, it’s important to keep in mind that you have the flexibility to determine the level of engagement that works best for you. You can choose to fully entrust your partner to manage your strategy or maintain a more hands-on approach by overseeing specific aspects of the process. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your business needs and capabilities, as well as your level of trust in your partner.
7. Track your results
It’s essential to track your digital marketing efforts to see what’s working and what’s not. Use analytics tools to monitor website traffic, engagement on social media, and conversion rates. This will help you make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts and refine your digital marketing strategy over time. For example, we use real-time reporting tools such as Supermetrics Data Studio to keep our clients informed of your digital marketing performance in real-time. This allows you to stay up-to-date on the progress and make informed decisions quickly.
Summary
In conclusion, establishing a strong digital presence is critical for any new entrepreneur looking to reach customers online. By defining your goals, developing a digital marketing plan, and leveraging the right channels, you can effectively engage your target audience and build brand awareness. Don’t forget to optimize your website for search engines, create valuable content, and track your results to refine your strategy over time. With a little patience and persistence, you can establish a strong digital footprint and drive business success.
If you feel like this is too much to handle on your own, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Just let us know and we can set up a consultation to assist you.
