Digital marketing has helped many small business owners all over the US grow their businesses tremendously. However, there’s an abundance of information on the internet regarding digital marketing — best ways, how-to, etc. — and for small businesses owners looking to educate themselves on these various topics, it can get quite overwhelming.
So how can small business owners separate fact from fiction? It all begins with the right research from trustworthy, reputable sources. In this article, we’ll outline and debunk a few of the more common digital marketing myths.
Digital marketing isn’t meant for small businesses.
As we know, technology has come a long way over the last few years, and these advancements have led to changes in consumer behaviors. It’s no longer a question of whether or not your customers are using social media, or searching for your business online, it’s a guarantee. And you want to make sure that you capitalize on these opportunities by having a presence on these various digital platforms. Creating a website, being active on various social media channels and claiming you Google My Business listing are all great ways to kick off your digital marketing strategy.
I’m putting in the work, so the results should be immediate.
As the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait, and such is true with digital marketing. Unfortunately, regardless of how much work you put in and how correctly your strategy is executed, you’re still not going to see significant changes over night. It’s important to look at digital marketing as a marathon, not a sprint, and recognize right off the bat that it’s going to take time to see the results you’re looking for.
My business doesn’t need to be on social media.
Although it’s true that you don’t need to be on every social media platform, you should be on the ones that align with your target audience. You don’t want to go in blindly, so it’s important to first figure out the demographics of your customers and then conduct research on the social media channels that are being utilized by those consumers. Social media helps build a connection between your business and your customers, so being present on relevant platforms is crucial.
I don’t need a mobile responsive website.
As mentioned earlier, technology has transformed consumer behaviors, and more consumers than ever are utilizing mobile to not only find local businesses, but to make purchases as well. In fact, 88% of consumers who search for a type of local business on a mobile device call or go to that business within 24 hours. It’s imperative that your business’s website is mobile responsive, especially given that 57% of internet users will not recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile website.
Bad online reviews are bad for my business.
Although bad reviews are never a good thing, a few of them won’t break your business. If a customer lodges a complaint, it’s important to respond to it, rather than avoid it. By responding to a negative review, you’re showing customer’s that you are willing to listen, you care about their poor experience and are willing to rectify it. This can be beneficial in changing customer’s perception of your business, while gaining insight into the interaction and correcting similar ones moving forward.
