Starkmedia has been in the web industry for over ten years. Throughout these years, the industry has made substantial changes and online marketing has naturally evolved with it. In our experience there are a few important changes to recognize as we tackle our marketing budget.
photo credit:scottchan
Social Marketing:
Marketing was originally focused on throwing out a message to the masses, but the adoption of social media has turned the tables. Social marketing has turned our communication into more of a two-way conversation. Expectations have shifted as consumers assume resources and information are available rather than blatant marketing messages. Start a conversation and engage your social audience by creating a customized campaign centered on a service or product.
Foot Traffic & Web Traffic:
One of the goals of marketing was to get the prospect in the door, but now there is another avenue to think about. Most prospects are checking your online presence before they even step into your store. A company must consider what impression they are making online and how they can take that opportunity to bring the prospect closer to the point of purchase. Assess how your online endeavors can support in-store opportunities.
In With the New AND Keeping the Old:
Like every other aspect of our lives, marketing has been changed by ever-advancing technology, but just because there are new channels for receiving information, we cannot ignore the traditional means. The success of a marketing campaign often lies in the merging of all marketing efforts. Find ways to promote online endeavors offline and vice versa.
Relevance Increased:
One of the differences between online and traditional marketing is that when people come to you online they are often searching specifically for your product or service. Search engine optimization takes online marketing a step further by allowing businesses to target keywords and optimize their websites to make it easier for people to find them. In online marketing there are opportunities to gain visibility both through natural and paid search. Paid search is more effective for immediate impact with little effort, while natural search results generally evolve with time and effort. Utilize the benefits of online marketing by assessing your site for more SEO opportunities.
In Conclusion:
Begin by asking yourself: “How much of our marketing budget should I allocate to online endeavors?” Next, think about all of the online opportunities: website improvements, paid and natural search, email, social media, banner ads, etc. and ponder which areas make the most sense for your business. Staying updated on the most recent trends in online marketing is something we pride ourselves in. As you plan new marketing campaigns allow Starkmedia to guide you in the process of merging traditional marketing methods with new online marketing opportunities.
