Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

Digital marketing strategies come and go but the most effective ones become a permanent fixture. The reason why many trends come and go is because of the reaction of the potential customers. The reason why they stay is because these strategies fill a need that has already begun to emerge.

For many small businesses, budget is tight especially when you’re just starting out. Money budgeted towards digital strategy is usually small so every penny has to count.

If you’re looking for effective digital marketing strategies you can employ for your business you’re in the right place because we have some ideas for you.

Social Media

Almost everybody including small businesses have a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page. Social media is not just a platform to connect with long lost high school friends; it has evolved to become an effective marketing tool for many businesses.

Aside from connecting with customers, social media is used by businesses to advertise their product and engage their customers. These people on the other hand use social media to find products or services and to do research.

Here are other ways your business can use social media.

• Use social media to answer questions or addressing complaints.
• Use it to reach prospective customers and convert them into paying customers.
• Collaborate with influencers to reach their target audience.
• Build brand recognition through loyalty, engagement and sharing.
• Analyze data to better understand customer’s needs, wants and behavior.
• Gather user-generated content to share.
• Engage with customers through conversation.

Use Voice

Using voice is the oldest and most common form of communication. Even in today’s digital world, many people still find it easier to communicate through phone calls or leave voice messages. Aside from this, people also like using voice when interacting with technology and their favorite device.

According to studies, voice is commonly used during searches. This also includes long tail keyword searches in command and question formats.

The important thing to remember is that people use voice and you should take advantage of this type of technology. You can use Alexa skill or Google Action which can help you reach customers Alexa and Google home.

Consider Branded & Live Video

Video is quickly becoming a driving force in digital marketing. Many people find it easier to view video than read content. There are generally 2 types of video content: branded video and live video.

Branded video is basically a video of your product or service. This is like an information video of what you have to offer. Many companies like this form of digital marketing strategy because it gets the message you want to convey easily and quickly.

Live video on the other hand allows you to interact with viewers. It is becoming popular because it is highly engaging. You can ask customers to participate or ask them questions. Audience and customers like live video because they feel that they are being included in the conversation.

Novel Content

Blogging is a great way to interact but it can also become repetitive. It’s nice to vary things up from time to time and this is where novel content comes in.

Instead of just plain old blog format you can:

• Conduct pols
• Post an infographic
• Make a quiz
• Sponsor contests
• Do online voting

Experimenting with these types of content will make your blog more exciting and interactive. It also allows you to vary content and see what type your audience responds to best.

Blending Digital and Physical Content

 

Digital content might be the future, but this does not mean to say that physical stores are disappearing. In fact, many people still love to shop in brick and mortar stores so many online brands still have physical locations as well.

However, many customers are demanding more for their in-store shopping. For instance they want digital elements incorporated to their brick and mortar experience.

One of these technologies is the beacon. This type of digital strategy uses a beacon that is programmed by companies to send notifications to cellular phones within a predetermined geophysical area. For example, you can send digital coupons to prospective customers once they are near your shop to entice them to enter your establishment.

Other good uses of this type of technology include:

• Retailers enabling beacons to let customers check if items they want are in-stock.
• Hotels using them instead of room keys.
• Sports teams using them to interact with stadium fans.
• Airlines using beacon to inform passengers of flight times, delays and other important info.

it is important to remember that digital marketing is always evolving thanks to innovations in technology and changes in human behavior. For small businesses, it is important to stay on track of trends and changes because it can be easy to be irrelevant in today’s fast-paced world.

The good news is that digital marketing development and trends does not always call for a complete overhaul. Sometimes it just needs a few tweaking and you’re ready to go head to head with your competitors.

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Single Opt-in Or Double Opt-in: Which One To Choose?

Now that you’ve started to build your email list, you’ve probably reached a fork in the road: use single opt-in or double opt-in.

You’re not alone because there is an ongoing debate as to which method is superior. For many, single opt-in is the best because it’s a more streamlined option. However, double opt-in proponents prefer this method because it has higher engagement from subscribers.

So what is single opt-in and double opt-in? When do you use one and not the other?

Let’s find out.

What Is Single Opt-in?

Single opt-in (SOI) happens when a user’s email address is added to your list without a second step – a.k.a. email confirmation. This is usually the standard opt-in procedures for many email newsletters and subscriptions.

It’s straightforward and does the job quickly.

What Is Double Opt-in?

Double Opt-in (DOI) is also called Confirmed Opt-in (COI. It requires and extra step – confirmation via email.

For example, after a customer signs up for your new product or service and opts for more communication, they need to login the email they use and click on the confirmation link to verify their opt-in.

The process is completed only after the confirmation link has been clicked.

Why Use Single Opt-in?

For many users, single opt-in is better because it makes the sign-up process faster and easier. In most cases, users are just required to submit their emails which mean there is less friction in this process.

Single opt-in is an easier way to get your message across to a larger audience.

Why Use Double Opt-in?

Since double opt-in requires an additional step, users of this method run the risk of increasing the chance of potential subscribers dropping off. Studies by Litmus show that double opt-in has a 20 to 40% failure rate. For email marketers who are looking to grow their subscriber list, this risk can be concerning.

Single opt-in might produce a bigger email list but double opt-in can produce better engagement. Since subscribers are willing to go an additional step, it means that they will be responsive in the long term. They will be the ones who will open your newsletters and click the links which in turn boosts delivery reputation and deliverability rates.

Most importantly, double opt-in protects your email list from bots and malicious sign ups.

When To Use SOI and DOI?

If you can’t decide which method to use, ask yourself:

• What are your marketing goals?
• What kind of list do you want to build?

If you want to cast your net on a wider audience and feel that you can afford to lose short term leads, single opt-in is a good choice for you.

However, if you’re dealing with a high bounce rate or spam complaints or low engagement rates; you might want to try double opt-in.

Another thing to remember when building an email list is to focus on making email experiences that are helpful and human. Opt-ins are useless if you try to strong arm users into subscribing or if you provide irrelevant content.

A strong email marketing strategy can help you gain an edge against your competitors. A good email marketing strategy  can help drive traffic, boost conversions and get you more results.

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How To Be An Android App Developer

Mobile apps are connecting more and more people around the world. Many of these apps are engaging and innovative and it’s the app developer’s job to enrich and fulfill the needs of modern society.

The apps we find on Play Store today has changed the way we conduct business, communicate, and consume entertainment. This is why becoming an app developer sounds like a really cool job.

Why Android?

Android is the number 1 leader of global smartphone share. Thanks to market growth in countries like Mexico, Turkey and Brazil, the trend is not seen to ebb soon.

Being the leader in market share means that Android needs more developers. Aside from this, Android is open source, making the development environment dynamic and enriching. Google also helps developers like building Google Play service for common app tasks so that developers can focus on developing their core strategy.

Android developers also enjoy high job availability since the demand for Android apps continue to soar. So if you’re interested in becoming an Android developer, there are skills you need to learn.

Check these out.

Java

 

The most basic building block of Android development is Java. To be a successful Android developer you need to be well versed in Java concepts like loops, lists, variables and control structures.

Java is also one of the most popular languages used by developers today. Learning its ins and outs will help you work not only in Android development but in other fields as well.

SQL

In order to organize database in Android, would-be developers also need SQL mastery. SQL language expresses queries to retrieve info from databases. Once you know how to write, there won’t be any question you can’t ask our data.

Android Software Development Kit (SDK) and Android Studio

One of the best reasons to learn Android development is that the necessary tools are easy and free to obtain. SDK and Android Studio are both free to download. They are the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development.

Android Studio is the program used by developers to write code and assemble their apps from other platforms and packages. SDK includes sample code, software libraries, handy coding tools, and much more to help you build, test, and debug Android applications.

Once you’re ready to publish your work, the process for submitting apps to the Play Store is also easy. Just register for a Google Play publisher account and follow the launch checklist, submit through the Google Play Developer Console and wait for your app to appear on the Play Store once it’s approved.

XML

 

XML is used by developers to describe data. XML is needed for tasks like designing user interface (UI) layouts and parsing data feeds from the internet. The good news is that much of what you need for XML can be accomplished through Google Studio; however, it is still best to be knowledgeable on the basics of this language.

Android App Developer in Sydney can develop any type of app for your business. Having them on your team can be a blessing because it gives you time to focus on growing your business.

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Reasons To Choose Magento As Your Ecommerce Platform

Ecommerce is becoming a popular choice for businesses nowadays. They are quickly becoming an alternative and a complement to brick and mortar stores. Businesses are looking for ecommerce solutions because they are scalable, flexible and have a long reach.

If you’re thinking about opening an ecommerce store, you need a platform that can deliver world-class features, mobile friendly themes and 24/7 engagement capabilities with customers. There are many ecommerce platforms out there but nothing beats Magento.

Here are reasons why:

Open Source

OsCommerce, OpenCart, Zen Cart and WordPress are all open source and free ecommerce platforms. However, Magento is regarded as the most search engine friendly of all ecommerce platforms.

Aside from being open source, Magento has rich features such as flexibility to manage content and has an active developer community behind it. Aside from this, the platform has a flexible CMS, is good for marketing and is search engine friendly.

Dedicated to Ecommerce

 

Magento was developed for ecommerce. In fact, Magento is the default CMS for many online businesses.

Magento has all the aspects and functions to make a successful online store. It is the perfect CMS for ecommerce stores, has comprehensive features and designs and offers complete ecommerce solutions.

High Performance

When it comes to loading times, Magento can leave competitors in the dust. We all know that page loading time plays a big role in ecommerce especially in markets with heavy competition. The more quickly a page loads, the less likely customers will bounce. Magento has loading times covered because it is designed to ensure the optimum performance of your website while using minimal server resources.

Scalable & Flexible

Ecommerce websites always need to be on top of emerging trends. They need to evolve quickly and easily in order to survive competition. Thanks to Magento, businesses will find it easier to scale up their website because the platform is open source.

Magento also allows you to integrate easily with third party services like payment gateways, database apps, transportation, shipping and others.

It also has built-in Google tools like Google Analytics, Google Checkout, and Google Base so that you can monitor your business and website performance.

SEO Friendly

SEO still reigns supreme if you want to drive traffic to your website. Magento is an SEO-friendly platform. The platform is SEO friendly out of the box so that using it can help your website rank higher in SERPs which will make it easier for customer to find you.

Responsive Design

 

 

More and more people are using their mobile devices to shop online. Luckily Magento platform supports HTML5 to make online shopping on mobile devices a delight. Aside from this, it has the ability to adjust the image size for better loading time and supports video so you can do demos or go live for your audience.

Magento is highly customizable so you can personalize it however you want. Thanks to the drag and drop feature, customers will have an exceptional mobile shopping experience.

Magento has all the features ecommerce site owners need for an active, sustainable and successful website. Developers love it for its flexibility while sellers love it for the vast functionality and feature it provides out of the box.

Sydney Magento web design company can provide your business with premium ecommerce solutions using the Magento platform. We offer you support so that you can focus on growing your business.

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Secret Techniques To Improve Social Media Engagement

The word “engagement” is often heard in social media but not many brands know how to achieve it. Many brands on social media often pursue activities like gramming, tweeting, liking, following and updating about product, services or content; but this has very little to do with engagement.

Engagement can be hard to do because you have to be engaging in the first place. In many social media platforms “like my page” won’t cut it.

Here are some of the best ways to boost social media engagement for your brand.

Ask

In real life, the best way to get conversation going is by asking “how are you doing?” or something similar. However, this can be too dull for social media. Therefore, one of the best ways to get the ball rolling is to ask “what do you think”.

One of the foundations of engagement on social media is to open a discussion about a certain topic. People like to think about things and one of the best ways to get more ideas is to talk to other thinkers.

Even something as simple as posting a question can spark discussion and boost engagement. Ask relevant, provocative and timely questions to create engaging and thought provoking social media discussions.

Ask For Feedback & Reviews

Many people are happy to talk about the products they like and others that could use improvement. Having customers post reviews of your products can be very helpful especially if your reviews are sparse. Potential customers like to read reviews because it gives them a bird’s eye view of a product or service. If your reviews are good, they will be enticed to purchase.

Reviews are good and so are feedback. Serious ecommerce website owners are always looking for ways to improve their product and feedback from customers is a good way to do so. Asking for feedback is a good way to boost engagement from users because it gives them a venue to share their experience with your product or service.

Share Statistics

Another way to get people’s attention is by sharing an important statistic. While many social media users like to be entertained, there are many who like to be educated as well.

For example, if you’re a sporting goods store that sells helmets, it would be a good idea to post statistics on the number of accidents that can be prevented if people bought helmets.

The best facts are the ones that can be summed up using a short sentence. This is a good way to generate attention and get people talking.

Sponsor A Giveaway

One of the best ways to generate shares and likes is by sponsoring a giveaway on your social media page. Just ask people to like or share a certain product to get a chance to win your product. Always include a high quality image of what you’re giving away to entice followers to share.

For better engagement, consider posting the giveaway across all social media platforms you are using.

Add A Live Video

Going live on social media adds intimacy to your engagement. Many people want to see who they are interacting with. Videos also form a bond between users and brands so they feel connected and special.

People like watching videos compared to reading long posts. You can use video to demonstrate products, discuss a topic or just get in touch with your followers. According to studies conducted by MarketingLand, people spend three times as much time engaging a live video compared to a pre-recorded one. Also, video posts have 135% more organic reach than photos.

Social media is becoming a very useful tool for many marketers. If done correctly, it can generate a domino-effect wave of positivity for businesses that can boost engagement, increase conversion and improve profit.

A Sydney Social Media expert can help promote your brand through social media. Interacting regularly with followers can help drive conversion and profit.

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Must Have Plugins For Every WordPress Site

WordPress is perhaps the most popular CMS in the market today. Almost a third of the websites on the internet are powered by WordPress because it is relatively cheap and user-friendly.

If you’re using WordPress for your website, you need plugins to enhance functionality. If you’re not using these plugins yet, check them out because you might be missing out on the best.

Relevansi

If you don’t want to use the standard WordPress search function, use Relevansi. It is basically a better search engine with functions such as:

• Finding documents using one search term or a number of words.
• Fuzzy matching where users can search partial words if incomplete words no not match.
• If you have the premium edition, you can get suggestions in the “did you mean…” type of way just like in Google.
• Indexed short code content.
• Indexed custom taxonomies and post types.
• Filter hook disable post title and post indexing.
• Advanced filtering option where users can configure search results the way they want to.
• Search throttling to improve searching on large databases.

Contact Form 7

Use Contact Form 7 to develop and contact forms for your WordPress site. It helps you get in touch with your users and has features such as:

• Customization of email and contact forms.
• Supports Ajax-powered submission, Aksimet spam filtering, CAPTCHA and more.

WordFence Security

WordFence has over 41 million downloads, making it one of the most popular security plugins. It is free, open sourced and has features such as:

• Web application scans for malicious traffic that blocks hackers before they can get into your site.
• Threat Defence feed updates its firewall rules to automatically detect the newest threats from hacking your site.
• If a user breaks your security rules you can choose to block or throttle them.
• Automatically blocks hackers from your site in real-time.
• You can limit rate or block threats like bots, scrapers, crawlers while doing security scans.

It can also be used for your security login.

• 2-factor authentication.
• Encourage strong passwords for admin, users and publishers.
• Lock out brute force attacks by including login security to stop WordPress from showing important info.

There are also monitoring features such as:

• See traffic in real-time so you can find out who is using most of your resources.
• Determine which geographic areas threats are coming from with reserve DNS and city-level geo location.

Max Mega Menu

Turn all of your site’s menu into a Max Mega Menu. You can add any WordPress widget to the menu and use a style editor to restyle your menu. Users can also change the behaviour of the menu with built-in settings. The best features of this plugin are:

• Drag and drop builder.
• Display WordPres widgets in the menu.
• Various menu transitions.
• Custom item styling.
• Hover content or menu to open submenus.
• Vertical and accordion menus.

Revive Old Post

This is a very helpful plugin if you’re a blogger on WordPress. Don’t let your old content go to waste. Find old blog post that performed very well and share them again using this plugin. Revive Old Post keeps old content alive to drive more traffic from social media.

Features include:

• Ability to share old and new post.
• Complete control over interval of sharing of post.
• Set the number of post to be shared.
• Include links to your site.
• Comparable Google Analytics.
• WordPress to Twitter.
• Include backlinks to your site.
• Compatible with URL shorteners.

These are just examples of amazing plugins to use for WordPress. WordPress Web Designs in Sydney specializes in WordPress designs. Increase your website visibility with its clear permalink structure so that you can find increase traffic, find leads and boost sales.

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Essentials of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

If you are selling online, it is important to have quality ecommerce solutions so that your customers have a good experience while using your website. Focusing on making ecommerce more engaging and user-friendly can help improve user experience and help improve your sales.

Since many businesses are now shifting from brick and mortar stores to digital ones, you need to be on top of the pack to get ahead of the competition. Here are some important and effective ecommerce design tips to help you get more sales.

Personalization

Knowing your customers’ names is now a very important part of doing business online. Customization is important because it makes customers feel important. Don’t forget to add this feature when they sign up or subscribe to your newsletters or email.

This is a small and easy gesture for you to do but it goes a long way for customers.

Put Best Selling Products On Homepage

Just like brick and mortar stores, you want your best selling product to be front and center. Products can be assembled by season, features, sales discounts and other characteristics. This is important because bestselling products are ranked high by search engines.

Add a list of recommended products too. This personalized list does not only help to boost sales but raises awareness of other products customers could be interested in.

Zoom Option For Pictures

Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes. If you were to buy a product on the internet there is now way of really knowing what it looks like. One of the best ways to show details of your products more clearly is to provide a zoom-in option. This will give customers a chance to study a product more thoroughly so that they can make an informed decision and be happy with it.

Just remember that pictures need to be high quality so that it does not get blurred or pixelated once customers zoom in.

Shipping Details

Normally shipping and delivery options are pinned at the top of the page to make them more visible. It is also important to give full details on shipping and shipping rates so that customers fully understand the delivery date of their goods. Varying shipping costs should also be clear so that people from different locations have a clear idea how much shipping costs.

A very good option is to offer free delivery across your site to attract more customers.

Contact Info and Feedback

It is very important that customers know how to reach you. After-sales service can help build trust with customers because they know they can reach you anytime. If something goes wrong with your product they know how to get in touch which in turn fosters a good relationship with your customer.

Getting their feedback is also important and makes them feel valued. Adding a feedback option also lets customers chat with you should they have concerns. If you can’t chat with them adding a simple feedback form is enough. It is important that these forms be monitored so that you can reply accordingly and promptly.

Ratings and Reviews

This is perhaps one of the most important features for ecommerce websites. The recommendation of peers and their ratings on a product is important to other users because it lets them access firsthand information on the experience of other people using the product or service.  A good ecommerce web design is like a community where the owners, the people who run the website and the customers work cooperatively.

Ratings and reviews is like a way of letting customers recommend your product to other customers. Some website owners fear customer reviews because they think that negative comments will damage their reputation. However, if you are confident about your product you can expect majority of customers to like and recommend it. The key is not to be afraid of negative reviews but to learn from it and use it to improve your product.

Ecommerce development solutions are a good way to boost your website. Online business is always evolving so business owners need to be aware of the trends that dominate online selling. Knowing which trends and web development solutions are available and implementing them can make your website more functional. These features can help get more leads and sell more products.

Sydney ecommerce website design can help ensure that your online business is a success. Having responsive web design and a customized ecommerce store can help you get ahead of the competition.

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