For local businesses, digital marketing increases its market share. Some of the misconceptions about digital marketing for a local business are
- Digital marketing is a one-package budget
The traditional marketing budget goes to either above-the-line or below-the-line marketing strategies. Hence, digital marketing budgets allocate money for each marketing task. These tasks include content creation, online advertising, website design, and management. Some payments, such as website design, are a one-off fee.
- It takes time to see marketing results.
Some digital marketing objectives receive real-time results. For example, giveaways and contests have a fast engagement rate. Some tasks take longer to produce results. SEO takes a while. A digital marketer does not have control over indexing and ranking. Each digital marketing platform has a set of analytics tools and a reporting board. Therefore, the local business can put more time and money in the area with the best results.
- Digital marketing is expensive.
Digital marketing is cost-effective. The analytics tools visualize the spending against gains during the marketing process. For instance, social media analytics show the reach and the impressions generated. But, no tools measure the number of people who saw a billboard in real-time.
- Digital marketing uses the same tactics across industries.
As is the case with traditional marketing tactics, digital marketing has strategies. The online marketing strategy chosen comes after business and competitor analysis. Further, a digital marketer is up to date on digital marketing trends.
- The local business must run an eCommerce store.
Website objectives vary. Some companies are looking for conversions, but other brands want brand awareness only. For that reason, a local business website must goal. For example, a local business selling electrical supplies can provide tutorials and manuals. Such content, alongside the shopping cart, adds value to a website.
- The audience is not online.
Local business marketing on the digital platform uses geolocation. There are also remarketing features that analyze the online behavior of users. These Internet users may influence the decision of your target audience.
- Digital marketing in a saturated digital world cannot yield results
Digital marketing tactics like email marketing and premium subscription have a personal touch. The emails have a personal touch that ads and social media posts lack.
- Digital marketing does not support traditional marketing.
A local business can draw an audience from an offline platform onto the local business’s online shop. For example, a billboard can direct the offline audience to the e-commerce store using a QR Code.
- Digital marketing maximizes traffic levels only
Traffic should increase as conversion increases. Marketing tactics with thousands of views should also have a return on investment.
- Follow a competitor’s tactics for the best results.
A local business does not have to follow the game plan of a competitor. This can be expensive for local businesses competing with a brand with a substantial online market share and better brand awareness. Additionally, it might make the new local business ignore an untapped market.
In conclusion, local business digital marketing is essential and cost-effective. Content creation is also cost-effective. The videos, articles, and images uploaded are available to the audience forever.
About Optimize Local
Optimize Local offers a FREE TRIAL of subscription-based Do-It-Yourself, Do-It-For-Me digital marketing tool kit for local businesses consisting of solutions for:
- Website design and hosting
- Reputation Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Customer Voice
- Listing Builder
- Advertising Intelligence