Having a marketing plan tailored to target customers is essential for every company. However, local businesses and startups must employ marketing tools that can cater to their tight budget. They should have a strategic plan to utilize their minimal resources to attract a large audience due to high visibility.
That is where they can rely on digital marketing to garner attention through cost-effective means. Digital marketing has become a worldwide sensation due to its higher accessibility and cost-effective tools. It can help small businesses pursue growth and stay ahead of their competitors.
An attractive website or blog with vibrant photos and engaging content can significantly boost performance while sticking to the budget. We have a complete guide if you have a small business that needs to implement cost-efficient digital marketing strategies.
1. Use Stock Photos
Stock photos may not be high on the list of effective tools for mega-giants, but they can be a massive boon for local businesses. Every website needs visual content to brighten it up and add appeal.
Stock photos can achieve that without forcing the company to spend thousands of dollars. Hiring a photographer to get original photos can help businesses acquire images specifically tailored to their content, but it is not economical.
Hence, commercial stock photography employs the use of photos that artists submit to a stock photo agency. Companies can gain access to the images by simply purchasing the license.
You can find pictures belonging to nearly every category, such as travel, finance, technology, architecture, and abstract.
2. Create A Professional Website
Having a professional-looking website is one of the essential needs for any business to stay afloat amidst the intense competition. It may be economical, but it requires consistent effort to remain relevant.
A good website should have all the details to help customers understand your offerings, where the stores are located, and how to contact you for feedback or complaints. You should frequently update content and employ tools to increase Google Search Engine Ranking and organic traffic.
Adding eye-catching visuals like images and videos can be a great way to make it look attractive and interesting. Ensuring it is fast loading and has simple features can make it even more appealing for customers.
3. Employ Local SEO Tools
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can help you utilize popular keywords that help the website rank higher on Google and increase visibility.
Local SEO can help you optimize your website while staying within the budget. When customers search for local businesses or products on Google, they can access your website quickly if it ranks higher than others.
This method can ensure that your website gains plenty of organic traffic and conversions and can even promote brand recognition and awareness.
4. Opt For Email Marketing
Email marketing is ideal for reaching out to existing customers while attracting new ones. When customers subscribe to your email, you can provide them with valuable updates regarding new products and services.
Engaging content with gripping topic lines can pique their interest and allow them to stay informed about new offers, promotions, and discounts that can direct them to your website or online store immediately.
You can maintain long-term relationships with customers while acquiring significant returns on investment. Some ways to make the content more compelling are adding witty one-liners, vibrant visuals, and infographics that will prompt them to retain their interest in the brand.
5. Consider Social Media Marketing
Social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook have undoubtedly taken the world by storm. Adults and teenagers alike are intensely drawn to such platforms, as over 59% of the global population has signed up for them.
That means you can easily access millions of users without geographical limitations restricting your marketing approach. Whether your approach is B2B or B2C social media can provide access to your audience in both cases.
The best part about social media marketing is that it is highly economical and perfect for startups and local businesses. It is absolutely free to sign up and post content, no matter how frequently you update it.
You can even track how much engagement your posts generate through share and like options. Furthermore, people can leave relevant feedback in the comment section that can offer you valuable insight regarding the performance of your products and services.
6. Partnerships With Local Influencers
It can be challenging to create awareness and recognition of your brand with only your website and social media alone. Creating valuable partnerships with local influencers can be an ideal way to increase your reach and target a greater audience.
It would be best to focus on your products and services before deciding which influencer to partner with. If you are running a fusion restaurant, you can team up with some food bloggers to visit your restaurant, provide a detailed review of the food on their social media, and post images that may entice their audience to visit the place.
Considering influencers often have a large fan following, you can take advantage of their social media sites to promote your brand effectively.
7. Employ Staff Members As Brand Ambassadors
Several people find it hard to believe marketing campaigns, as they may seem too good to be true. However, they may not be so doubtful if people they knew had already tried the products and boasted positive reviews.
That is why you should use word-of-mouth advertising by encouraging your employees to spread positive reviews and referrals about the company’s products among their friends and family.
It may not seem like much, but the word can spread from person to person fast, which can inevitably generate more sales and leads and create greater customer trust. Hence, 82% of professional marketers utilize it to increase brand awareness.
Wrapping Up
Digital marketing offers local businesses and small companies plenty of tools and strategies that can help them lure in customers while staying within the budget. The first step is to create a professional website with fast loading times that is frequently updated with SEO-relevant content. Moreover, using stock images and infographics can significantly add necessary appeal. You can follow all or some of the strategies we’ve highlighted above, depending on your budget and goals. However, remember that online marketing is crucial for business success regardless of size, so never avoid it! Good luck!
