Online Marketing 101: 3 Simple Steps to Maximize Your Digital Impact

After several months of collaboration with a talented web design company, your website is finally live! Now what? If you’re like the vast majority of business owners, you might not have the first clue as to what to do next. While a dynamic website forms the cornerstone of your company’s online web presence, you won’t unlock your site’s full potential until you develop efficient marketing strategies that will expand your clout, build a dedicated following, and ultimately, lead to more sales. Whether you’re a seasoned marketing pro or this is your first go-round on the online marketing carousel, the following simple steps are an easy starting ground for anyone looking to dip their toes into the digital marketing space.

1. Develop a Strategy

While it might seem simple, many amateur webmasters totally overlook marketing plans in the digital world. It’s true that the practical rules of marketing online differ from traditional methods, but the fundamentals of efficient marketing remain the same. Slapping a few blog posts up on your site and sending out sporadic status updates won’t get you very far—instead, you need to build a game plan.

First, think about who you’re trying to target. Are you reaching out to existing clients? Do you want to connect with potential buyers? Reflect on the demographics of your intended audience and create your content accordingly. Next, you’ll want to build a thoughtful outline. Consider how often you want to interact with your followers and how you plan to do so. Finally, put the pedal to the metal and jump onboard! Small steps might not seem like they have much impact, but together, these little actions can create a tidal wave of success.

2. Partner with the Right Professionals

Time and time again, business owners try to jumpstart their marketing efforts on their own, only to find themselves frustrated with a lack of results. Hey, there’s no shame in trying! At the end of the day, however, you might need to partner with a professional with a keen understanding of what you’re attempting to accomplish. Hiring a blog writer or a community manager might feel like a big step, but investing in a more polished marketing product will inevitably bring about greater results.

3. Develop a Long-Term Perspective

Everybody wishes they could coax in visitors with the drop of a hat, generate thousands of sales leads in a single day, and push their company into the stratosphere of success. Those dreams are great and they might keep you motivated, but the magic simply won’t happen overnight. Connecting with consumers on the web serves as an invaluable way for business owners to grow their companies, but this strategy isn’t foolproof. You’ll need to pour your sweat, blood, and tears into your marketing efforts if you expect them to generate tangible results. Just like the tortoise who beat the hare, focus on building upon your previous endeavors day by day, in order to build a truly powerful brand online.

Building a jaw-dropping website is the first priority as you go on your first foray into the digital marketing realm. After that site launches, however, you’ll want to pay close attention to your marketing efforts. It’s easy to place the blame for your lackluster success on a million different parties, but ultimately, poor marketing has the power to sink your ship. Instead, invest the time and energy necessary to reach out to your customers online. As your marketing approach comes together bit by bit, you’ll begin to witness the incredible fruit of your labor.

-Adam Z, Content Wizard