Did you know that 20% of small businesses fail by the end of their first year? Even more unsettling, 50% of small businesses fail by their fifth year.
The reasons behind these failures vary. Some business owners lack financial planning and management skills. Others dive into an oversaturated market with little hope of gaining traction.
Most businesses, however, fail because they don’t know how to advertise digitally. We don’t want to see you fall down this path.
Keep reading for the top four things that should be included in all digital marketing budgets.
- Organic Search Engine Visibility
One of the most vital digital marketing tips is to make sure your website is highly visible on search engines like Google. The higher your SEO rankings are, the more organic traffic you’re going to have. This requires publishing keyword-rich articles, writing meta descriptions, registering with Google My Business, and using link-building strategies.
However, SEO can be a tricky field to navigate. That’s why all digital marketing budgets should include room for hiring an experienced SEO agency.
- Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Organic search engine rankings aren’t the only way to stand out on Google. We also recommend paying to have your website come up at the top of relevant searches.
Use pay-per-click advertising to rank for keyword searches related to your business, products, and services. Through PPC advertising, you pay Google a small amount for each click your website receives. In return, your website will come up at the top of your chosen search results.
- Social Media Management
Social media management must be included in your marketing costs. This is especially important if you don’t have the time, patience, or skillsets to adequately run your social media accounts.
The more active and engaging you are on social media, the more leads you’ll generate from these apps. This includes Facebook, Linked In, Instagram, and more.
All digital marketing budgets should include paid social media ads. However, if you don’t know how to market to your audience, you’ll need help crafting content and refining your marketing message.
- Website Performance and Automation
When budgeting for marketing, don’t forget to leave space for website design and development. It’s more important than you might think. Simply creating a functional website is not enough to generate leads and make sales.
The user experience you provide for your website visitors will determine whether or not they become paying customers. Hire a professional website developer to make sure your site:
- Is optimized for mobile devices
- Is easy to use
- Offers intuitive navigation
- Loads quickly
- Uses an effective sales funnel
- Provides high-quality content
The better your website is, the longer consumers will stick around. They’ll read your content, grow to trust your brand, and eventually, convert to paying customers or clients.
Do You Need to Reexamine Your Digital Marketing Budgets?
The four items listed in this article are a must for all digital marketing budgets. They will help you achieve brand awareness and business growth. However, there are countless other strategies you should be implementing, such as email marketing and reputation management.
For additional small business guidance and digital marketing tips, don’t go anywhere. Look through the rest of our blog to find more articles that can help your company thrive.
