Online marketing is great for small businesses, but like everything, it has to be done right.
Having an online presence for your business is more than just putting up a website with your address and telephone number. When used correctly, online marketing has the potential to turn people who are looking for something related to your business, into leads and potential customers.
However, with thousands of new websites popping up each day, the thought of competing and sending traffic to your website can be daunting for any business owner.
We all know Google is a key player in the online world. You may have had a go at running some paid advertising using Google Adwords. But if you’re looking to get serious about your online marketing and really want to see some results, then it may be time to call the specialists.
What are the benefits of hiring an online marketing company for your business?
Although hiring a company to manage your online marketing may just seem like another cost to add to your outgoings, there are a number of benefits to consider:
- Industry Experience
It’s likely that they have previously worked with businesses similar to yours (maybe even your competitors), and this means that they have experience that is specific to your industry. Experience means they already know what works well and what doesn’t – this means you can achieve the results you want, quicker.
- Industry Experts
Online marketing moves very quickly. What works for your business one day, may not work the next. Working with online marketing specialists means that you can spend your valuable time getting on with running a business – with the peace of mind that other people are keeping on
top of things for you.
- Technology & Tracking
Online marketing companies either have their own in-house technology platforms, or pay to access often-expensive third party platforms and tools. This is something that as a small business you might not be able to afford.
The technology and tools used by online marketing companies can help small businesses track where leads come from.
A good example of this is Newcastle small business Chiropractic Plus, who saw a 20 per cent increase in new revenue by working with marketing company, ReachLocal. ReachLocal used in-house technology to monitor and adjust marketing campaigns to achieve the best results.
Questions to ask when choosing an online marketing company
So now we understand the importance of employing an online marketing company, the next challenge many businesses experience is how to identify a good one.
When you’re moving into unfamiliar territory, how do you know what to look for?
Here are the six most important questions you need to ask before choosing a company to partner with:
1. Level of expertise – How long have you been doing this? Have you worked with a business in my industry before?
2. How big is the company – Do you have global insights that you can utilise?
3. Technology and tools – Do you have your own technology platform?
4. Personal service – Will I have my own consultant to look after me?
5. Testimonials – Like the ReachLocal reviews, does the marketing company have case studies and client testimonials?
6. Reputable – Are you a Google Partner?
The answers to the above questions will help provide a clear picture of how the marketing company will work with your business and should provide you with insights into previous success.
While you can’t afford ineffective online marketing, you can’t afford not to employ a good online marketing company.
About the Author:
Dave Eddy is the Digital Account Executive at ReachLocal – an award-winning online marketing company that specialises in helping local businesses reach their customers. They are a Google Premier SMEPartner company.
