What is a Digital Marketing Plan?
First of all, Digital Marketing refers to advertising delivered through digital channels. These might include websites, social media, search engines, email and mobile apps. Digital Marketing covers a large number of marketing activities. Undeniably, each one of these activities is an important part of a successful online strategy. So, what is a Digital Marketing Plan and how can it help your business? First, let’s take a more detailed look at each possible component of a plan.
Website Audit
Because your website design is at the core of your digital marketing, it’s important it’s functioning optimally. Firstly, to achieve this, it must look appealing and be easy to navigate. Next, it must be ‘responsive’ and fully functional both on PC and Mobile devices. Ultimately, it should be a pleasure to visit. A website audit analyses both the technical and aesthetic components of your website.
Pay Per Click Advertising (PPC)
Pay per click advertising such as Google Ads are the Ads you see at the top or side of a search engine results page (SERP). By using precise search terms and locations, ads are tailored to particular customers. The beauty of these ads is that you can set a monthly budget and you’re only charged if the ad is clicked. Also, useful analytics tools provide real-time information enabling the ad to be fine-tuned to attract more clicks as the ad campaign progresses.
Achieving higher ranking in Google
This is known as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). This is a process that uses high-quality content in order to attract more visitors to your website. We do this in a number of ways. Firstly, the content must be relevant, informative and substantial. Secondly, we use carefully researched keywords within the content so that your website ranks highly within a search result. Finally, we create credibility with industry links, good blog articles and social media interaction. Essentially, SEO is a set of best-practices for effective digital marketing.
‘67% of all clicks are generated by the first 5 search results’
Content Marketing
We all know ‘Content is King’. Well, it’s the Queen, Generals and the soldiers too. Why?
As the Google algorithm becomes ever more nuanced, so does its ability to carefully sift the wheat from the chaff. This means that informative blog articles, good quality social media posts and a general improvement in content, will be increasingly rewarded with better ranking.
Social Media Marketing
In amongst the cat videos and home-cooked meal shots, there’s much more going on. Increasingly, customers are using Social Media platforms such as Facebook to research products and companies. That’s why creating engaging, interactive content is so important. If potential customers appreciate the content, then they’ll likely share and become customers. In addition, their interaction will influence their friends too.
Email Marketing
Email has been around for a long time. It’s important and is still the most direct way to approach a customer. A well thought out bulk email can be a very effective marketing tool. Also, by using a dedicated email marketing service, you’ll get valuable analytics too. A successful email marketing campaign should be relevant, conversational, trustworthy and strategic. After all, the last thing customers want is more unnecessary mail to read.
A Digital Marketing Plan to Drive Business
There’s no doubt that a Digital Marketing Plan will help to drive business to your website, create interest and create contacts. In fact, with a coordinated, multi-level approach that’s adequately funded, you will start to see good results within a short time. Also, most good agencies will provide a plan after a free consultation. It’s important to discuss your goals and expectations fully. Make sure they understand your business and then discuss the proposal in detail. After this, you’re ready for launch.