We get a lot of requests from small businesses that want to grow. They understand that they need some form of digital presence, but are confused as to how and where to spend their limited resources. Once they have made a decision, they aren’t sure how to determine if they are maximizing their investment, or even how to calculate their ROI.
As we engage with businesses, we evaluate each company and tailor a digital marketing plan based upon the following criteria.
1) The company website: This is pretty broad and encompasses a lot of different variables and attributes. At a high level, we will always evaluate the design and architecture to determine key elements such as mobile responsiveness, speed, user design, and on-page optimization.
2) Social integration: This is a priority for any business -- and it doesn't cost anything outside of time and a little focus. Using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. is an easy way to gain credibility and valuable backlinks to your website.
3) Good content: There is a slogan we use, "when money is tight, learn to write." Content is the fuel that feeds the search engine spiders and helps you get found online. Plus is sets you and your business apart from the competition as an authority in your particular area of expertise. If you want to take your content to the next level, learn how to socialize it and get it republished on external websites.
4) On-page optimization: There are lots of online "DYI" websites that you can research to determine the 4-5 critical on-page items to implement. However, before you start implementing page titles, meta descriptions and URL strings, the first step begins with research and analysis around the key phrases driving traffic to your site.
5) Analytic Tools: At the very beginning, get to know Google Analytics and Google Search Console intimately. These tools will be critical to understanding how traffic is coming to your site and if any adjustments need to be made.
The biggest roadblock...
In our experience, the biggest hurdle to your success is time. Your time in particular. You are running a business which means you are wearing many hats and most importantly you need to serve the clients that are right in front of you. Thinking about lead generation is only critical when there are no orders to fulfill or no customers walking through the front door.
For the past 9 years, Connection Model with our Small Business offering has helped many businesses get a jumpstart or upgrade their digital footprint. If you need help, I encourage you to contact us to discuss your needs, your business and how the Connection Model Small Business offering can help set you up.
For just $1,500 upfront and $500 per month you get the following:
- Beautiful, mobile responsive website on a scalable platform
- Website analysis and research for initial on-page optimization
- Up to three hours each month of on-going support
- Real time reporting dashboards so you can see critical success metrics such as website traffic, lead conversion and more
Want more information on the program, we would like to hear from you. Please see our Small Business page for more information.
Written By: Doug Milnor
