Any business owner operating in today’s climate should understand that an online presence is a must when it comes to success. Having a website to represent your business in the online space is integral to succeed in today’s market. But once your website is up and running, what next? Many people think simply having the website and the ability to conduct transactions online is enough, but they’re wrong. Marketing is essential, and different products require different techniques. Today, we’ll look at how to maximise your sales by following these few simple digital marketing strategies. 

Get to Know Your Customers

Firstly, you need to know who your target audience is. Hopefully, you already have some ideas. If you don’t, and even if you do, find out more! Gather information from them; place questionnaires and survey forms at the checkout or in confirmation emails, actually ask your in store customers what they like, what they shop for, and how often they buy. Use all this information to build a picture of your ‘ideal customer.’ From here, you can determine the best way to reach these people. Perhaps radio advertisements on a certain station, a full page spread in selected magazines. You will know better how to sell to your customers online, too. They may respond better to formally written email newsletters than to loud pop-ups on screen. For example, if you are trying to promote a gaming desk, then you can target gamers via social media ads or advertise directly on gaming sites.

Now you can start to use this information to engage with your customers on a regular basis; to build up a rapport or a relationship with them! Determine which online spaces your ideal customer inhabits and try to encourage a community. Social media is great for this, but before you put all your time and money into a TikTok account and paid advertisements, make sure this is the platform your customers favour – in other words, do you research!

Make it Easier to Buy

Now you truly know your customers, and hopefully they have developed a relationship with your brand and see your business as trustworthy and professional. Now you can start promoting your business. 

Nothing entices potential customers better than a discount, a deal, or a special offer, and the more people that know this information, the more people are likely to use it. Utilise your invigorated customer base and newfound online outreach to spread the word to as many customers as possible. Voucher codes are always popular, and email subscriptions work extremely well to deliver the good news to your customers. Same with sales, buy-one-get-one-free offers, and generous return policies. For example, you can partner with businesses to offer their employees office furniture like a corner desk, at a discounted rate. 

Use these age old marketing techniques to encourage your ideal customers to spend, and make it easier to choose you over someone else. 

Optimise Your Online Operation

Having a website and a social media presence and a whole host of offers to throw at you customers is a good start, but the work is far from over! This is where we really get into the meat of online marketing – the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes a real difference to those sales figures. 

Did you know that up to 87% of customers will do online research before they visit a store in person? This means that your site has got to be professional, slick, and easy to navigate; it has to be something you’re proud to show to others. However, it also still has to serve its function, which is to convert visitors into customers, be that online or in person. 

Here is a quick checklist of the core tenets of digital marketing strategies that you (or a marketing specialist!) should investigate.  

• A great customer-focused design and layout
• A fast, mobile-friendly website that doesn’t crash
• A welcoming ‘vibe’ – not too pushy!
• Relevant, up-to-date, well-written content, posted frequently
• A site that is optimised for SEO
• Undertaking in depth competitor research

These are some of the basics of online marketing, and there is a long, long list of the possibilities when it comes to tinkering with these things. Try them out, consult with an expert, and find what works best for you, your business, and your customers.