Do you have a small business getting to grips with digital marketing? Our short guide will give you an insight into the types of primary online marketing channels currently in use and help you to decide which ones to invest in.

Websites

Most modern businesses will have a website, even if it is just a simple site that helps customers to access contact information and learn a little more about the product or service on offer. You can use systems such as WordPress or Umbraco which provide low-cost template sites. These are relatively easy to build and customise with a little developer and designer help.

From this point, you can use an integrated content management system to update the site and keep it alive. This is essential because search engines rely on fresh content to index your website against key search terms. An SEO consultant can help you to get the most from your Search Engine Optimisation.

Apps

In 2014, over two trillion app usages were tracked across the globe – and usage figures in that year grew by 76pc, according to Yahoo’s own digital analytics firm, Flurry. This means that apps truly are big business, and they can be as complex or as simple and as cheap or as expensive as you need. A digital agency can help you to build your own app, and you’ll find plenty of experts in web design in Nottingham, such as Webfuel Ltd.

Social Media

Social media is the big craze in modern marketing, and there are plenty of ways to reach your target audience using this free software. It’s generally best to start with one or two social media platforms, depending on your audience. Twitter is generally good for business or older consumers. Facebook tends to attract individuals, and LinkedIn is very much business to business or for individuals seeking employment-related services. These platforms are free to join and use, but there may be charging structures in future, especially with the imminent arrival of ‘buy now’ technology linking to feeds.

Many SMEs benefit from starting small with their digital marketing strategies, seeking expert advice and ascertaining how their digital campaigns will integrate with offline marketing activity. The learning curve is steep, but the potential rewards are excellent in the brave new world of online business.