Many business owners assume marketing isn’t working because they need a bigger budget. Sometimes that is the case but there are foundations we can start with before we start throwing money at the internet. Sometimes there is a lack of focus, outdated practices or even just a growth time that needs to be used appropriately.
Here are seven signs your marketing strategy (or lack of) may be holding your business back.
Sign #1: Your Business Is Great, But Not Enough People Know About It
Many small businesses rely on the quality of their work to bring in customers, which is an incredibly valuable means of gaining new customers because it speaks highly of your talents, but there are more options to expand your strategy.
If potential customers can’t find you online, they can’t choose you. And even with referred business, many new customers will want to look up your business online to validate choosing you. Your competitors may not offer better products or services – they’re simply doing a better job of staying visible through their website, social media, Google Business Profile and online reviews.
Marketing isn’t about convincing people you’re the best; it’s about making sure they know you exist when they’re ready to buy. For small businesses and local businesses, this translates to using several means of marketing
Sign #2: Your Website Hasn’t Been Updated in Years
It’s time for a new website! This statement probably applies to you and your business. Outdated information online hurts your credibility both with real people who are researching your company as well as for the constantly changing algorithm of web. Simple fixes like making your website mobile friendly, speeding up the load time and thinking about Google searches with your write your content can make a world of difference.
You’ll get more leads if you have clear call-to-action buttons and phrases like: sign up here, call now or get a free quote. It makes it easy for your potential (and current) customers to figure out what they want to do next.
Keeping accurate contact information should also be high on your priority list. Is your phone number or order form on every menu page? Can your address be easily found – and clicked- to map your business. Are your hours clear and is it simple to find out how best to contact your business.
All of this and more can make a website refresh just what you need for that marketing boost.
Sign #3: You Post on Social Media Only When You Remember
We’ve talked about this time and time again but it’s important enough to repeat. You need to have a social media content calendar to keep yourself organized with a planned strategy and to hold you and your team accountable for posting to social media.
Customers will forget businesses they don’t see frequently and one of the best ways to stay in front of them is to post informative, interesting and important content that they want to engage with.
You can find our FREE Content Calendars Here and Tips on Social Media Engagement here and Consistency here.
You might feel like posting to social media doesn’t bring in direct leads. One post doesn’t often equal a new customer, but the consistency of being present and accessible just can be matched by other forms of marketing. (Except maybe Email, See Sign #6).
Sign #4: You’re Not Showing Up on Google
Your Google Business Profile is incredibly important. As a local business, you may not be able to compete with national brands when it comes to Sponsored Google Ads, but you can keep your own profile up-to-date, active and accurate.
There are many ways to enhance your profile including pictures, Google Reviews, Google Maps and more. Most likely, you need more reviews!
One of the services we provide here at Green T Design is evaluating your Google Profile and updating it as needed. If you’d like to discuss this more, reach out! This will be the first step in your long-term SEO plan.
Sign #5: You Don’t Know Where Your Leads Come From
Tracking your leads is incredibly important in your overall Marketing Strategy. Knowing where your leads are coming from helps you to determine if you need to put money in a specific area of your advertising as well as confirms if what you are doing is working.
And we don’t just mean tracking clicks from Google. Ask every person who calls on the phone or shops in your store where they heard about you. Make sure your forms on your website are set up properly so you know exactly which page they were on when they filled out your form and analyze your website traffic on a consistent basis.
Create a spreadsheet, have a notebook with tally marks… whatever you need to do. Just focus on tracking your leads and customers.
Sign #6: You’re Not Sending Emails
Yes, an email strategy can be time consuming to start. You need to collect the email addresses, with their permission of course. You will also need to set up an email marketing platform as well as create a plan and content to actually send to your email list.
BUT! Once you do, you’ll have direct access to your customers and potential customers to communicate whatever you need! You can send a quarterly newsletter, monthly flavors or featured menu items, weekly specials, invite them to events, follow up on appointments, ask for reviews… the list goes on.
And if you hate receiving sales emails, there’s good news! You control how often you send and what you send to your clients.
An email marketing plan is always a good strategy!
Sign #7: You Know Marketing Is Important, But Nobody Owns It
The most common marketing issue that small and medium sized businesses face is who is doing what and when! Everyone assumes someone else is handling marketing and sometimes no one wants to handle it so it gets pushed off. Especially when daily operations get in the way.
The first step is to have a plan. Who does what and what is that going to be. If you start to get overwhelmed by the prospect of adding any and all of the above suggestions into your daily business life, then you’ll want to reach out to professionals who do this day in a day out.
Marketing Next Steps
Getting the plan together is important. Whether you do this yourself or call Green T Design in as backup, you’ll want to start with:
- Website Audit
- Google Business Profile review.
- Social media consistency.
- Email marketing opportunities.
- SEO evaluation.
After you figure out where you’re at in the grand scheme of marketing, then you’ll want to get your plan put together. What areas do you want to focus on and what is your goal? You may not even start with the hopes of new customers. You might just be looking to get your act together, so you look legit online. And that is a great plan of action to start!
Green T Design Marketing Professionals
Wondering if your business has any of these issues? Do you know you have these issues but don’t have the time or desire to take care of them yourself?
Green T Design offers website reviews, local SEO audits, content planning, social media management and digital marketing strategies designed specifically for small businesses throughout Central Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for Marketing in Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Shippensburg, York and beyond, we’re here to help.
Just reach out!
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