Digital Marketing for Small Businesses – Where to Start
1 September 2023

Whether you’re starting a business for the first time or want to get more exposure for your existing business, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to marketing. Building an online presence is essential for any business looking to succeed in a competitive market – so, to get you started, we’ve listed a few of the digital marketing fundamentals you may want to tackle first.

Maintain your Website
If you already have a website, keeping it up to date is important. As soon as your customers are aware of you, they will look for you online. A website is like the digital shop front for your business, so making sure it’s engaging, on-brand, and a great representation of your products and service will benefit you and your customers.
If you’re not familiar with technology, there are lots of accessible website building services that you can use to create your own site. These include WordPress, Wix, and others. Organising the information logically with a page for each service, a homepage, and clear instructions on how to get in touch will leave customers in no doubt as to who you are, what you do, and how to access your service.

Get on Social Media
Creating an account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or wherever your target customer is most likely to be found is a great way to build brand awareness. Plus, it’s a chance to get creative. If you’re stuck for time, hiring someone to manage your social media can be a great investment.

Keep in mind that social media for a business is different than a personal profile. Creating a longer-term strategy for your posts is important, as consistency is vital for keeping customers engaged. There are plenty of social media scheduling tools to choose from, including Buffer, Hootsuite and Later. They allow you to create posts, and pre-schedule them to be posted automatically.

Email marketing
Email marketing can be used for a range of purposes. You might use it to inform potential new customers of your services, and any updates. You may want to use it as a newsletter to maintain your relationship with existing customers, or to communicate promotions and deals. It’s a way to personalise your communication with clients and customers, and to reach the right people at the right time.

As well as promoting your services, you can use it to add value to your services, by providing additional insights, behind the scenes access, and other ways to get involved.

Paid Ads
Pay-per-click (PPC) adverts are a way to push more visitors to your website. While it takes some trial and error to get right, PPC can get you some great leads. PPC ads are most commonly found on search engine results but can also be used on most of the main social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The fee you pay varies depending on how many people click on your advert.
Interested in finding out more about the flexible office space available at Harlow Business Centre? Find out more here.

Most Read