A Fact of Life Competition is a fact of life, especially in the business world. Having a solid understanding of the competitive landscape is critical for the success of any business. This post will help you understand how to evaluate your competitors and the value of doing so. Why Evaluate Your Competition? In order for…
A newsletter is a worthwhile marketing approach that establishes you as an authority in your field. It’s one more way for you to stand apart, and step ahead, of your competitors. Meanwhile, your customers are learning something new with every newsletter, which they’ll appreciate and reward with return business. Don’t forget to give them the added incentive that will compel them to take action. A good newsletter is only great when it translates into increased sales.
The domain name is a unique name that identifies your website. It can be the same as your company or a variation of it. Make your name as memorable and relevant as possible to the product or service you are offering. A clever, one-of-a-kind name may also help you stand apart from competitors. And, think about the words customer may use to find your product at shopping directories and search engines. Try to include as many of these key words as possible to achieve a top listing. Finally, be sure to double-check the legality of your name by researching existing trademarks and fictitious business names for your same name.
A well-planned, well-managed, targeted public relations program can help your business grow. But, you need to start by gaining an understanding of what PR is all about. Taking the time to understand that PR is about planned communications and building solid relationships with your publics, de-mystifies the public relations process. Knowing what tools are available to communicate your message to the right audience is critical to the success of your program. So is your ability to build strong relationships with target media. PR takes time, but when it works, its priceless!
SEO is often the first step online retailers take to get noticed among a growing stream of competitors. Why? Landing at the top of a search list can increase traffic exponentially. Plus, initial investment is virtually non-existent and a few strategic enhancements can pay off big time. Still, you should consider SEO to be a small, but necessary, part in an overall marketing strategy. It may take some time and experimentation to see tangible results, but remember to be patient and track carefully. Keeping a cautious eye on keywords, design and links to increase the odds of success.
Your current customers are like gold to your business. Once you have an established customer database, you definitely want to spend the greater portion of your marketing budget trying to retain their business. Be careful not to harass your customers with frequent sales messages; they’ll quickly tune you out. Instead, make sure each contact is meaningful and carries your brand. Teach them something. Reward them with value. Incentivize them to tell friends and family. Only when you engage this audience will you be successful in getting them to return.
No business can afford to waste money on ineffective advertising. Research all your options, and target your ads to a specific audience whenever possible. Keep a close eye on measurable methods like pay-per-click advertising and modify your approach as often as necessary. And don’t forget that effective advertising isn’t just about fueling short-term sales. It’s also about building long-term awareness and familiarity with your brand to retain a strong customer base in the future.
Your marketing efforts have a direct impact on how people perceive the quality and value of your offerings. Every time your company communicates with customers, vendors and other business partners, you are employing the principals of marketing. Marketing encompasses everything from your graphics and content to your advertising plan. Remember, consistency is essential at each point of contact. Only in this way can you build a successful brand that people know and trust. With the right marketing approach, you’ll not only acquire new customers, you’ll foster a memorable presence that drives return business.
Ultimately, traditional advertising can be expensive, but it can be highly effective with the right planning. Consider your objectives, your audience and your competitive landscape before rushing into any media buy. If you’ve never launched a traditional ad campaign before, you may want to enlist the services of the pros for both creative development and media negotiations. And, always remember, no matter what you spend, investing in advertising is the smartest way to grow your business.
Pay-per-click is the easiest and most immediate way to increase traffic to your site. It should not be your sole approach to online advertising, however. PPC should be employed as an essential and continuous part of any SEO plan. Be sure to review, “Understanding the Basics Search Engine Optimization (SEO).” Because SEO can take up to six months to see results, smart e-commerce entrepreneurs use pay-per-click as a supplemental measure to garner initial interest, drive revenue and build awareness. After all, where else can you connect with potential customers at the exact moment they’re searching for products like yours, at no upfront cost?