January typically is the reset-button month for people. It’s a month where people make new resolutions to improve their health, finances and relationships
It’s also an appropriate time for small businesses to update their online marketing strategies.
To get you started, we’d like to present some marketing strategies and tactics you can use this year to help grow your business.
Mobile Search: Make Sure You Can Be Found
If your website isn’t responsive to mobile devices, you’re going to lose a lot of online visitors this year.
Last year, Google announced that non-mobilized sites will be considered second-class search engine real estate and would not be shown to searchers on mobile devices. See our article Google Preparing a “Mobile-First” Search Experience for details.
Given that mobile searches overtake desktop searches and that St. Augustine is a mobile-centric town (tourists, people on the go), you could be losing out on customers.
If website visitors and searchers are important to your business, making your website responsive should be one of your first to-dos this year.
Online Presence: Make Sure Your Business is Easy to Find
January is a great month to conduct an online presence audit to make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) and story are consistent wherever customers might find you (Google, Facebook, Yelp, YP.com, etc.).
Customer Focus: Make Sure You Know What They Want
Review your customer interactions from last year. List what you heard they wanted and their needs. Find out why they choose you over others? Use this information to strengthen your messaging to attract more customers with similar needs.
Become a Local Expert: Be that Go-To Business Everyone Recommends
Make sure you’re telling your story and sharing your know-how on your website, on Facebook and anywhere else the customer might see you.
Blog about how you help local customers.
Find online groups where you can share your expertise if people have questions (don’t sell, just help).
Volunteer to speak at local events and clubs to share your knowledge (okay, not an online tactic—but ask attendees to check in, mention you, like your Facebook page, etc.).
Customer Reviews: Standout with Positive Experiences
Positive online reviews influence buying decisions. Find ways to encourage positive customer experiences into powerful, positive reviews.
If you get a negative review, quickly take charge of the online conversation and respond helpfully and positively. Your online reputation is valuable.
We Can Help Make 2017 a Banner Year for You
We’d love to help you make 2017 a prosperous year. Give us a call at (904) 429-4588 about any of these Marketing Resolutions.