by: Tom Wilson
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13 September 2023

How to Do Digital Marketing

Digital marketing might seem like a big, complicated world to dive into, but it’s really all about reaching people where they are—online. Whether you’re promoting a small business or looking to build a personal brand, digital marketing provides the tools to get your message out there effectively. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get started with digital marketing, breaking it down step-by-step in an approachable, easy-to-understand way. 

What is Digital Marketing?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s start with the “what.” Digital marketing refers to any form of marketing that takes place online. It includes everything from social media posts to paid search ads, email newsletters, and more. The goal is to reach, engage, and convert potential customers into loyal followers or buyers through various digital channels. Click here to read our in-depth blog on what digital marketing is.

Why is Digital Marketing Important?

The world has gone digital, and so should your marketing. Whether you’re running a local coffee shop or a global e-commerce store, your customers are online. With digital marketing, you can:

  • Reach a broader audience
  • Target specific groups based on demographics, interests, and behaviours
  • Track and measure results in real time
  • Adjust campaigns based on performance to improve outcomes

More insights on why digital marketing is important can be found here.

How to Do It?

1. Set Clear Goals

Every good marketing plan starts with a goal. What do you want to achieve with your digital marketing efforts? Your goals might include:

  • Increasing website traffic
  • Building brand awareness
  • Generating leads
  • Boosting sales
  • Growing a social media following

Having clear, measurable objectives will help guide the direction of your campaigns and allow you to track your progress.

2. Understand Your Audience

You can’t market effectively if you don’t know who you’re talking to. Take time to define your audience by considering the following:

  • Demographics: Age, gender, location, income, etc.
  • Interests: What do they like? What are their hobbies?
  • Challenges: What problems are they facing that your product or service can solve?

By understanding your audience, you can tailor your message to speak directly to their needs and desires.

3. Choose the Right Channels

Not every digital marketing channel is suitable for every business. It’s important to pick the platforms that will best reach your audience. Here are some of the most popular options:

Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter allow businesses to engage with their audience directly. Choose platforms that align with your business. For instance:

  • Instagram is great for fashion, food, or visual products.
  • LinkedIn is more suited for B2B marketing and professional services.

Explore our social media advertising services here.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

SEO involves optimising your website so that it appears higher in search engine results for relevant keywords. Good SEO increases your website’s visibility, helping potential customers find you organically.

Explore our SEO services here.

Email Marketing

Despite newer platforms, email marketing remains highly effective. It’s perfect for nurturing leads, offering promotions, or keeping customers updated about new products. You can start building an email list and sending regular newsletters or offers tailored to your audience’s interests.

Explore our email marketing services here.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC involves paying for ads to appear at the top of search engine results or on social media. The beauty of PPC is that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads are commonly used for PPC campaigns.

Explore our PPC services here.

Content Marketing

Content marketing is all about creating valuable content that draws people in. Whether it’s blog posts, videos, infographics, or podcasts, content helps you build trust and authority in your niche.

Explore our content marketing services here.

4. Create a Website that Converts

Your website is the heart of your digital marketing efforts. It’s where people will come to learn more about your business, browse your products or services, and ideally make a purchase. Here’s what a great website should have:

  • Clear navigation: Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for.
  • Strong calls to action (CTAs): Tell visitors exactly what you want them to do—whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or following you on social media.
  • Mobile-friendliness: More than half of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Ensure your website looks great and functions well on phones and tablets.

Explore our website design and development services here.

5. Develop a Content Strategy

Creating content that resonates with your audience is one of the best ways to build trust and authority. Your content strategy should include:

  • Blog posts that provide valuable information, tips, or how-tos.
  • Videos that demonstrate your product, offer tutorials, or showcase your brand story.
  • Infographics that present data in a visually engaging way.
  • Social media posts that engage your audience and foster a sense of community.

Consistency is key when it comes to content. Make a schedule and stick to it, ensuring you’re regularly posting fresh content to keep your audience engaged.

6. Optimise for Search Engines (SEO)

SEO is the practice of optimising your website to rank higher in search engine results. When someone searches for something related to your business, you want your site to appear at the top. Here’s how to get started with SEO:

  • Keyword research: Identify the words and phrases your audience is searching for.
  • On-page SEO: Optimise your content, images, and meta tags for relevant keywords.
  • Off-page SEO: Build backlinks from reputable sites to boost your website’s authority.
  • Technical SEO: Ensure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and has clean code that search engines can crawl easily.

SEO takes time, but it’s worth the effort because organic traffic is free and sustainable in the long term.

7. Use Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC advertising allows you to place ads on search engines or social media platforms and only pay when someone clicks on them. It’s a quick way to get in front of your target audience, especially if you’re running a new business or launching a product.

With platforms like Google Ads, you can bid on keywords related to your business, ensuring that your ad appears at the top of search results. You can also use social media ads to target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviour.

8. Leverage Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. Here are a few tips for making the most of your social media marketing:

  • Engage with your audience: Don’t just post—interact! Respond to comments, ask questions, and create polls or contests to encourage participation.
  • Be consistent: Posting regularly is key to building a loyal following. Create a content calendar to ensure you’re consistently sharing valuable content.
  • Use visuals: Posts with images or videos tend to get more engagement, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your visuals.

Remember, each platform is different. What works on Instagram might not work on LinkedIn, so adapt your strategy accordingly.

9. Track and Measure Results

One of the greatest advantages of digital marketing is that you can track your efforts in real-time. Using tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, or email marketing software, you can measure:

  • Website traffic: How many people are visiting your site? Where are they coming from?
  • Engagement: Are people interacting with your social media posts, blogs, or emails?
  • Conversions: How many visitors are taking the desired action, whether it’s signing up for your newsletter, filling out a form, or making a purchase?

By analysing these metrics, you can make informed decisions about what’s working and what needs tweaking.

10. Stay Updated on Trends

Digital marketing is always evolving, so it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices. Join webinars, read blogs, follow industry experts, and never stop learning.

Conclusion

Digital marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By setting clear goals, understanding your audience, choosing the right channels, and consistently providing value, you can build a strong online presence that drives results. It’s all about taking small, strategic steps and adjusting along the way based on what works best for your business.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your existing strategy, the key is to stay adaptable, patient, and always focused on your audience’s needs. Remember, digital marketing is a marathon, not a sprint—success will come with time and effort.

FAQs

It varies depending on the strategy. SEO can take months, while PPC ads might deliver instant traffic. Consistency is key to long-term success.

It depends on your audience and industry. For example, Instagram is great for visual content, while LinkedIn is ideal for B2B marketing.

Yes, many small business owners start by managing their own digital marketing. However, as your business grows, you may want to hire a specialist.

Your budget depends on your goals, but it’s essential to start small and scale up as you see results. PPC ads can be cost-effective, but SEO and content marketing are long-term investments.

Blog posts, videos, and social media updates tend to perform well. The key is to create content that is relevant and valuable to your audience.

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