10 Online Marketing Tips to Grow Your Business

Online marketing can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! The internet offers plenty of opportunities to promote your business, and it has become so integrated into our daily lives that you would be remiss not to take advantage of it. With these 10 online marketing tips, you’ll be able to grow your business by leveraging the power of the web.

1) Have a Mobile Optimized Website

The second most popular way people access the internet is through a mobile device. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, Google may not rank it as highly in search results or it might not show up at all. So you need to make sure your website can be viewed on any device, including smartphones and tablets. The easiest way is by using responsive design, which allows your website layout to adjust based on different screen sizes without having to create separate pages for each. When done well, responsive websites usually look much better than more clumsy site designs that were created with a specific device in mind.

2) Use Video Ads

From a traffic perspective, video ads are superior to any other ad format. In fact, an effective video ad can increase your website’s conversion rate by up to 80%. That’s impressive! The thing about video ads is that they take a lot of time and resources to create, so don’t try it unless you really know what you’re doing. If you decide to go down that road, start with something simple like a product demonstration or user testimonial and then build from there. You can also do what Dollar Shave Club did and create a series of videos showing your customers using your product in different ways or for different reasons—in real life situations.

3) Utilize Remarketing Lists

Remarketing allows you to display relevant ads that are targeted towards people who have already visited your website. By doing so, you can remind potential customers of a product they looked at previously or introduce them to similar products. The ability for remarketing lists to be easily created and managed means that businesses can stay connected with their previous customers and potential clients, which is crucial in growing a business. No matter what you sell, remarketing lists are worth utilizing! Check out Google's Guide To Remarketing Lists And Other Ad Features for more information.

4) Split Test Ads and Landing Pages

One of your most valuable assets online is your site’s landing page. It’s what you use to drive traffic directly to you, whether through social media or paid advertising. A/B testing allows you to test different versions of that page for maximum efficiency: Does it convert better with a photo? Which CTA (call-to-action) works best? What colors work best? Make sure your website is getting as much from advertising as possible by A/B testing its features and content. And make sure you don’t leave money on the table: Double down on what converts.

5) Take Advantage of Trending Topics

While it may be tempting to dismiss trending topics as being irrelevant, they can actually be an opportunity. By capitalizing on these topics, you're able to capture (and hold) people's attention much more easily than if you were trying to create a topic that doesn't have much chatter surrounding it. So how can you take advantage of trending topics? Simply use your business' Twitter account (or Facebook page) to discuss and comment on current events; use your other social media accounts for similar purposes. If done correctly, you'll find that lots of people will follow what you have to say! And remember: just because something isn't a trending topic one day doesn't mean it won't be tomorrow - follow what people are talking about and adjust accordingly.

6) Create an Automated Workflow System

An online business can’t run on auto-pilot, but a great deal of it can be automated. Take your email marketing, for example: You don’t have time to manually send out hundreds or thousands of emails each week and still be effective, so you automate them. Don’t set up a direct mail campaign? There are ways you can automate it with autoresponders. People often mistakenly believe automation has to mean that your business will run itself—and while a certain level of automation is ideal (especially if you need time off), that doesn't mean it's easy. There are plenty of tools out there that make email marketing easier and faster, but new tools always come out.

7) Generate Leads from Quora and Reddit Discussions

A powerful way to gain real, authentic leads is to tap into forums and groups where you can find your target audience already hanging out. With Quora and Reddit being such popular places for online discussion, they're perfect for connecting with customers and learning more about their needs. How does this work? First, go join relevant communities on each platform. Once you're in there, tap into existing conversations by answering questions or starting your own threads about a subject that interests you or relates directly to your business. If you want people are already talking about your business on either site, there's a good chance they'll be willing to chat with you—and perhaps even provide their email address if they're interested in finding out more.

8) Integrate Email with Other Platforms

Email is still a powerful marketing tool. In fact, according to Litmus, 89% of consumers prefer receiving promotional emails from brands they love. And with tools like MailChimp and Constant Contact that let you build and run email lists inexpensively, it’s easier than ever to create an email list for your business. One way you can grow your email list quickly is by linking your brand’s social media accounts (like Facebook or Twitter) to those platforms' email-marketing features—which you can then use as jumping-off points for new subscribers.

9) Do Not Forgot About Instagram

Instagram is not just a great way to share pictures of your kid’s lunch, it's also an excellent marketing tool. Studies show that one in three millennials follows a brand on Instagram and posts with brand hashtags see a 55% increase in engagement. To get started, you'll need an Instagram account, some high-quality photos and maybe a few likes from friends before you begin growing your following. This will also give you time to work out your visual voice. Once you do have something worth sharing, read up on best practices for integrating your Instagram feed into other social media platforms so they all help each other grow.

10) Use Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Facebook Insights for More Data

Google Analytics can help you track and analyze your traffic, conversion rate, bounce rate, exit rate, time on site—the list goes on. Google Search Console will keep track of how many people are finding your content via search engines (and which keywords they’re using). Facebook Insights tracks similar metrics like organic reach and page views. By gathering more data, you’ll be able to better understand what might be working (or not) in your marketing strategy. Use tools like these early and often so you can iterate on your efforts for higher returns. These three tools make it incredibly easy for any online marketer or business owner to see how their website is performing and evolve their strategy as necessary.