04/03/2024
A new year brings many possibilities but can leave people feeling burnt out before the first quarter with the growing list of things to do and people to see. The question remains: how do you step up above the competition? The answer is that it’s all about future-ready promotion that encompasses new tactics and strategies to achieve your business goals and reach your target audience.
Want to know more? Then take note of these top 5 business strategies, start applying them all or pick your top three and go from there. With Lab007 by your side, you won’t regret it.
Website and Hosting
Think of your website as a 24/7 storefront, open to the world. But with a non-existent or glitchy, slow-loading site, you won't leave a good first impression with customers and potential new business.
Investing in a functional website paired with a reliable hosting plan to handle traffic spikes will mean your website delivers on point every time. Important point: ensure your site is geared to be mobile-friendly, as everyone is on their devices these days.
Did you know that using a desktop computer to search online is no longer the preferred method, mobile being the first choice?
Google started the process of mobile-first indexing way back in 2016, fully transitioning to prioritising mobile versions when crawling pages and indexing content in 2023.
SEO
Do the words 'organic traffic' mean anything to you? Still trying to figure it out? We'll explain. Consider it free advertising that leads to your website's doorstep thanks to SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). SEO enables you to make your website visible to the people searching for what you offer.
Today's SEO is about understanding user intent and creating high-quality content that solves problems and resonates with your target audience. Research relevant keywords, optimize your website's structure, and craft engaging blog posts, articles, and videos.
Here are 5 ways you can optimise your website structure for search engines:
- Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, has an organised structure and uses relevant meta descriptions and title tags.
- Create high-quality content suitable to your target audience and optimise it for search engines with relevant keywords.
- Focus on providing a user-friendly experience with clear navigation.
- Boost individual pages with relevant internal linking, clear headings and subheadings, and engaging visuals.
- Build backlinks from reputable websites and engage in online communities to improve website authority and visibility.
Make use of the following to conduct keyword research:
While DIY SEO can be tempting, consider partnering with a digital marketing and SEO specialist agency that can deliver results.
Branding
Your brand is more than just a logo; it's the essence of who you are and what you stand for. In a crowded marketplace, differentiation is vital. Develop a unique brand voice, craft a captivating story, and ensure your visual identity (colours, fonts, imagery) reflects your values and resonates with your target audience.
Here are some extra branding tips:
- Who is your ideal customer? Shape your brand voice to their needs and wants.
- Stand out with an eye-catching logo, using consistent colours and fonts.
- Maintain a unified brand experience across printed materials, website, social media, packaging, and customer service.
Bonus tip: If you plan to outsource design work to a creative agency, aim to partner with one that can act as a strategic partner. Meaning they go beyond simply fulfilling your design requests. They actively collaborate with you to understand your business goals, target audience, and brand identity.
A great graphic designer can offer valuable insight into market trends and competitor analysis, allowing you to make informed decisions about your brand's future.
Videography and Photography
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a compelling video is worth a million. Visual storytelling is the ruler, so invest in high-quality videography and photography that showcase your brand personality and products or services in a captivating way.
Think:
- Product/service demos
- Customer testimonials
- Team at work
- Behind the scenes
- Explainer videos
- Before and after photos
- Employee stories
- Client stories
Trust us, your audience will thank you for ditching the stock photos!
Making Data-Driven Decisions
Insights, analytics, and data help you understand what's working and what's not clearly. Monitoring website traffic and your social media and email campaign open rates will help you refine your strategies and adjust where needed.
Our top insight tools:
...for website monitoring and tracking
...for social media analytics and scheduling
...for email marketing and tracking
- Zoho Campaigns
- Email Analytics (For Gmail and Outlook)
- Klaviyo
Business Strategy FAQ
Q: I'm on a tight budget. Can I still implement these future-ready strategies?
A: Absolutely! Many strategies, like SEO and social media engagement, can be done organically.
Do this by...
- Creating valuable, informative blog posts, articles, or videos addressing your target audience's needs and including relevant keywords. Remember to share them on social media.
- Be active on relevant social media platforms, consistently posting engaging content, interacting with followers, and participating in online communities/groups.
- Build an email list by offering valuable content or incentives. Send targeted, personalised emails to nurture leads, promote special offers, and build customer loyalty.
- Optimising your Google My Business listing.
- Utilising free tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track website traffic.
Q: I'm scared to try paid advertising. What if I waste my money?
A: Start small with platforms like Google Ads. Set clear goals and track your results. Optimise your campaigns based on data by analysing critical metrics like click-through rate conversion rates to identify high and low performing keywords, ad copy, and audience segments. Gradually increase your budget as you gain confidence and see positive ROI (Return on Investment).
Q: I'm not tech-savvy. How can I create high-quality visuals for my brand?
A: Utilise free stock image websites (Pexels, Unsplash, Pixabay) and focus on storytelling through authentic visuals. You can also collaborate with creative partners who understand your brand and vision.
Here are 4 key points when focusing on storytelling...
- Seek out and capture real emotions, expressions, and interactions instead of staged or posed scenarios.
- Don't shy away from minor imperfections or "flaws." They can often add character and authenticity to your visuals.
- Feature individuals who represent your target audience or embody the message you want to convey.
- Pay attention to the environment and surroundings in your visuals. Are they relevant to you, your brand, and the message you want to convey?
Q: What resources can I use to learn more about specific future-ready strategies?
A: Explore trend reports from sites like WGSN or TrendWatching. Both offer valuable insights about consumer, brand, and social trends to keep your promotional strategy firing.
Q: What future trends should I be aware of for my promotion strategy?
A: Sustainability and ethical practices will become important brand differentiators, so integrate social responsibility into your messaging and service/product offerings.
Here are our top 3 tips on how to blend social responsibility into your messaging...
- This could involve showcasing your sustainable sourcing practices, fair labour policies, or charitable contributions.
- Develop offerings that address social or environmental needs. This could involve creating eco-friendly products, donating a portion of profits to charitable causes, or providing services that empower underserved communities.
- Actively participate in causes and initiatives that resonate with your brand and target audience.
The Cornerstones of a Thriving Brand
Remember, future ready promotion is not a designated end goal but a constant journey that requires tweaks and refining to adapt to the ever-changing business and consumer landscape. Many tech-inspired platforms are out there to help streamline and guide your efforts.
While important, building genuine connections with your audience is the most significant contributing factor to any brand's success. When you embrace authenticity, focus on providing value and showcase your brand story, you'll build a solid foundational strategy that attracts the right customers and boosts business growth.
More articles
More Than Just a Website – How to Boost Your Online Presence to Drive Sales
Tired of your website being just a digital brochure? Discover how to turn it into a sales powerhouse. Learn about SEO and marketing strategies to boost your business!
Read More
E-Commerce on a Budget: How to Build an Affordable Online Store That Converts
Dreaming of an online store but tight on budget? This guide unveils how to build an affordable e-commerce store that converts visitors into customers!
Read More
Stop Wasting Money on Marketing – Google Ads Can Fix That (But Only If You Do It Right)
Stop throwing money in a marketing void! Reach hot leads actively searching for your product with Google Ads. Easy to use, even for beginners. Learn how to win now!
Read More
Want someone to build the site for you?
Contact Lab007 today about creating a branded website that integrates with an e-commerce platform.