Happy New Year - Small Business Marketing Resolutions for 2018
Posted on 15th January 2018
A very Happy New Year from it’seeze Ryedale!
2017 was a fantastic year for us, as we helped small businesses from across the region and beyond to do more online with our websites (check out our 12 sites of 2017 if you haven’t already done so.)
January is a great time for new beginnings, both personal and professional – set your small business up for a more prosperous and successful year ahead with 6 of the best marketing resolutions for 2018.
1. Set some goals
Every great marketing campaign starts with a clear purpose and specific goals. Ensure that you know what you’re trying to achieve over the next 12 months by creating a marketing strategy for the year ahead.
Setting out what you want to achieve, who you are going to target and what constitutes success for 2018 will help to provide you with direction – giving you a foundation and roadmap to inform and guide your marketing efforts over the year ahead.
2. Invest in your website
When was the last time you updated your website? The beginning of the year is a great time to take stock and examine your website:
How does it look?
How does it compare to your competitors’ sites?
Is it performing as it should be for your business?
Is it mobile responsive?
Is it up to date?
If your site has seen better days (or years), then investing in your online presence will make a huge difference to your business.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. If your website doesn’t look the part, provide a positive user experience and supply the right information – you will be losing out on business.
3. Get your social media right
Tweeting once a month and updating your Facebook from time to time isn’t going to get you anywhere!
In 2018, social media is more important than ever before. There are huge opportunities for businesses in every industry to engage with customers on their preferred platforms. The advertising platforms are an excellent way of targeting your target customers, and can provide excellent returns on your investment over the year ahead.
Creating quality content and actively promoting it across your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn is a great way to generate business and build your brand in 2018. If you aren’t doing it already, you definitely should be!
4. Cut out the dead wood
Great marketing should be an investment, not a cost! If you’re spending more on your marketing than it’s generating for your small business, then it’s time to make a change and try something new.
In 2018, ensure that you constantly test and measure the effectiveness of all your marketing efforts. By knowing what’s working and what isn’t, you can make better use of your spend, focus your efforts on the most productive channels and generate more business over the year ahead.
5. Network more
Technology is changing every aspect of our lives, including the way we market our small businesses – but some things will never change! Nothing beats meeting someone face to face, and for small businesses in every industry, networking really works.
Whether you’re looking for new business connections or customers, want to spread the word about your products and services or are looking for likeminded business owners, getting out there and networking will really benefit your business.
From one-off events to regular breakfast networking groups – there’s something to fit in to every schedule.
6. Use that customer data (wisely!)
Most businesses spend time and effort collecting customer data – but many don’t do anything with it! Over time, contact details change and data becomes useless, meaning that all that effort is wasted.
Data is a really valuable marketing resource for any small business. This year, why not make use of it, whether through creative e-marketing or focused direct mail, to help generate business? Done well, e-marketing can be an extremely effective, time-efficient and affordable way to build your business.
One word of caution – new GDPR rules are coming into force this year that will have a big impact on the way businesses are allowed to collect, store, and utilise data. It’s important to stay compliant, or your business could face serious fines. Check out the official EU GDPR website here for additional information.
Keeping your resolutions – with support from it’seeze Ryedale!
Has your website seen better years?
Give it a refresh for 2018 by investing in a website that looks fantastic on any device and performs for your business in the real world.
At it’seeze, we’re here to help drive your business performance online, with a beautiful, custom-designed site you can edit yourself.
Set up your free, no obligation meeting with Rob Davies from it’seeze Ryedale today by calling 01653 690 982, or by emailing rob.davies@itseeze.co.uk.
Tagged as: Online Marketing
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