The entire world has been redefined by the internet, and many businesses have either had to adapt to the changes or get left behind. Technology has changed everything from inventory to payroll, creating new processes and a need for more efficient strategies. There are some companies that have taken a liking to the influence of technology, and your competitors may be doing these things better than you are.
They Are Building a Better Website
Let’s face it, you can’t succeed in this digital age without a strong digital presence. A simple WordPress site could have been good enough a decade ago, but those ideas are long past their prime. Building a good website takes money and expertise, two things that a lot of struggling businesses have to really make an effort to produce. However, your competitor’s website generates traffic, leads, and sales, thereby increasing their share of the market. You, on the other hand, are still struggling to understand SEO and click ads. Don’t feel bad. It’s okay to not know what you are doing with your website, but it is not okay to use that as an excuse. You can contract out this part of your business to a freelancer with an online LLM degree or to a third-party. The money you invest will be well worth the returns.
They Are Creating a Call to Action
Once you get your website up to speed with the rest of the world, you need to make sure that it creates a call to action. Your competitors have figured out how to convert website traffic into paying customers and long-term business prospects. A website that only gives the basics of your business and has a few pictures doesn’t really inspire further action. Your website structure should focus on converting visitors into prospects. Have a design that is organized and engaging, drawing people in to learn more. In essence, your website should be your digital sales team. Test your call to actions to make sure they are delivering the conversions you want, and if not, tweak them until you see results.
They Pay for Advertisement
Your competitors have realized the value of spending money where it matters, and that is for pay per click advertising. For many, Google AdWords has been an effective way to attract new customers. Though PPC advertising can be cheap, you can find that it turns into an expensive venture if you don’t know what you are doing. Even though your competitors may be finding themselves swamped with new leads, they probably still have room for improvement in this area. This is your chance to shine and take the lead.
They Use Email Marketing
Take a minute and think about how you communicate with current customers and new leads. If you aren’t actively building and using an email list, your competitors are going to leave you in the dust. Email, though it may seem like the most basic form of digital communication, it still the most effective marketing tool you have. It’s an opportunity to reach your customer (whether current or potential) whenever you want with the information you want. An email list should be cultivated through website traffic. With this list, you can grow your sales, ask for reviews on products or services, and create more traffic to different areas of your website. Since not every visitor to your website might be ready to purchase or be in the mood to ask questions about your services, offer an incentive to join your email list. It could be a percentage off their first purchase or a coupon for free shipping with their first order. You entice them with something good, but yet you get to engage with them down the road. This keeps leads from slipping through your hand.
Their Social Media Presence Is Awesome
Social media is a must for a successful business, and your competitors are knocking it out of the park. A presence on multiple platforms with strong, engaging content is a key way to attract attention. Ask your followers to post questions or to offer suggestions for your company, but then be prepared to respond to each one. The rest of the social media environment needs to see you interact with your consumers, and videos, photos, and customer reviews say a lot about your business. Social media activity is a form of customer service, and you want everyone to see that you excel in this area.
Now that you know what the other businesses in your industry are doing, you don’t have to wonder about how to improve your own success. Your digital marketing presence is crucial, and you need to get busy building yours up.
