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Do You Have An Effective Online Marketing Strategy?

It doesn't matter if you run an online or bricks-and-mortar store. You need to have an online marketing strategy to compete today.  Consumers have changed with the advent of the Internet. Instead of paying attention to TV or radio ads, consumers are going online to find out who has the item they want and how much it will cost. Your business needs to be positioned to provide that information in a way that is attractive to both consumers and search engines. That positioning is why online marketing techniques and strategy are so important these days. Your marketing strategy absolutely must include how you promote your brand, understanding your competition and learning from those that are already successful while avoiding their mistakes, identifying  your target audience (your ideal customer) and communicating with them in the rhetoric they use about topics they are interested in and of course learning how to use social media platforms that connect to your target audience where and when they are online.

What is your brand and your image?

Your business needs a look that is entirely your own. It lets you stand out from the competition, while giving consumers a reference to remember about your company. Your brand and your image are part of that look. Branding differentiates you in the marketplace. It personifies what your company is all about. For the most impact, it needs to be on every part of your marketing and be consistent both online and in person.

You need to know your brand and image before you start marketing. Every thing from the colors used on your website to your business cards depend on establishing your brand.

Who is your target customer?

Every business has at least one target customer in mind when opening up on the first day. For example, the gaming market targets young males between 13 and 25, because they are the largest audience for online and computer-based gaming. A high-end clothing boutique's target audience may be women, between 25 and 45, who live in a household that has a combined income of $150,000 or more.

Knowing your target audience makes it easier to craft marketing messages and to place advertising and content in strategic places.

Who are your competitors?

To develop an effective marketing strategy, you need to know who you are up against. The competition is anyone who is competing for the same target audience of customers you are. You should know their past and current marketing strategies. And you should know what makes them different from each other, and from you. This helps you determine how to differentiate yourself from the competition, while attracting the same bunch of customers.

What marketing strategies can you take from your competition?

You do not want to mimic your competitors' brand, look, or slogan. But, you do need to know what marketing strategies are working for them, and how you can use them for your own benefit. For example, let's say you are opening a local brewery. Your main competitor has sponsored live concerts in the past to garner name recognition and to spark interest in their product. You can take that same marketing strategy and use it yourself.

Using proven marketing strategies helps boost your company without the need to develop something completely from scratch.

Social media is a must for an effective online marketing strategy.

An effective marketing strategy in today’s online environment must have a social media presence. It is one more way that you can connect with your target audience. It makes it possible to reach out to your target audience with interesting items when you want. It can keep people interested in your company and your brand, without a lot of investment.

Your online marketing strategy has to align with your overall marketing and sales strategy to be effective. When you add each of the above to your strategy, you will start to have an effective online presence. What does your online strategy look like today? What should it look like tomorrow?

Contact PEL Online Marketing TODAY!!

We will gladly perform a free website and online marketing evaluation to let you know where you are and what we can do to improve your online presence and effectiveness.  Get A Quote, Request Information or call (806) 680-2735.