Marketing any business is not an easy thing to do. You have to create a website, create content, get your site ranked and generate enough traffic to create enough sales to make the entire thing worth it. That’s easier said than done and there are a lot of things that are left off that list. However, for small business owners, the goal for 2024 should not be just to bring in more business, it should be to elevate their marketing efforts.
Your marketing efforts may take months to generate leads. If you were to start now, you would know if any of the following services were helping you or not. Even better, you can engage in most of these services without breaking the bank. Cost-effective marketing services do work, but not for every business. That’s why it’s important to know which ones are best to invest your time and money into.
Marketing Your Business In 2024
If you want to increase your marketing efforts and get better results this year, you need to invest time into these areas. Always start with content creation. Having great content can be the difference between a good campaign and a great campaign.
1. Google business listings: Yes, business listings still generate some of the highest levels of quality traffic for small and local businesses. Setting up and optimizing these listings is key for many businesses that rely on local consumers.
2. SEO: Along with listings, rankings are just as important on Google. If your site can be ranked on page one for relevant keywords it will drive in consistent traffic.
3. Email marketing: Believe it or not, if you can build a strong email list, you have a cost-effective marketing option that will be more reliable than most. Email data is paramount and getting access to thousands of consumers and building a steady and long-lasting bond with them can help you bring in sales on each campaign.
4. Social media: Some platforms will work better for you than others. However, that does not mean you should ignore the others, even if they have minimal reach. Posting content can always benefit your brand and show consumers that you are active.
5. YouTube: One of the best things about YouTube is that its content is compatible with other social media platforms, but it also ranks on its own. Figure out a way to get relevant content on this site and it will bring you traffic.
6. Local directories: There are local directories that are used beyond Google. You need to find out what those are and how to get your business listed on them.
7. Display ads: Local businesses will rely on advertising platforms that have display ads to generate revenue. If you can get into these networks, you can advertise your ads to residents on thousands of websites they visit.
8. PPC: If you have the budget, PPC ads on Google can generate fast and reliable traffic to your site. However, some of these keywords and fields can be expensive which is why this service isn’t always ideal.
9. Press releases: If you can, have a press release sent out about your business opening. Local papers and media outlets will usually pick this up and share it, giving you even more reach in your area. Be sure to include a free offer like a consultation.
10. How to blogs: Right now there is someone online trying to learn how to do what you can do for them. Give them some information. You can help consumers get to where they need to decide whether they can do something with or without you. Either way, you become their brand to rely on either for the service or products or the information.
Getting these marketing strategies off the ground can help you to build cost-effective traffic quickly. Make sure that you are investing your time in the services and platforms that make the most sense for your business. Start with a website and content and build your way from there.