Digital marketing for startups is functionally the same, but things are very different when it comes to expectations. New entrepreneurs run on shoestring budgets, so they cannot allocate massive funds to marketing initiatives. At the same time, they need to achieve more within a shorter time span to keep pace with the leading names in the competitive space. Sustainability of results is another factor that matters to young ventures because they cannot afford to fall and pick themselves up again.
Although these expectations sound unrealistic, they are actually easy to achieve with your digital marketing plan. You only need to plan strategically and work consistently to achieve your targets of visibility and reach. Do a bit more to compete with the leaders with awareness, trust, and credibility for your brand. Fortunately, you can follow some tried and tested digital marketing hacks to cover all fronts. Here are the ones budding startup owners can rely on.
Invest in an excellent website UX
A business website is the cornerstone of digital marketing, regardless of the size and reach of a brand. Startups should go the extra mile to build an exceptional online presence with an impressive website. After all, potential customers often base their buying decisions on the look and feel of websites. Think beyond aesthetics because they are a given. Your site must have an excellent user experience to boost your digital marketing efforts. A great UX increases the chances of conversions for the traffic that lands on the website. It also helps with retention. Most importantly, UX is an SEO ranking factor, so a good one takes your website up the search rankings. Check other factors like visuals, content, navigation, loading speed, and mobile responsiveness to assess the site’s UX.
Ramp up your SEO game
Having a functional website gives your business a good start with digital marketing. But you cannot expect potential customers to search a startup company by name. SEO enables your website to rank for keyword searches. So you must create a robust plan to reach the top for the most-searched keywords. Experts at Outreach Monks recommend building a viable backlink profile for fast and sustainable results. The best way to do it is by collaborating with a link-building expert who can expedite the process without compromising backlink quality. Also, ensure regular site audits to check the SEO factors from time to time. The best thing about SEO is that it is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your visibility and credibility.
Leverage social media platforms
SEO empowers your website with organic visibility and reach through search engine rankings. But you cannot expect to build thousands of quality backlinks early after launch. You can continue the ongoing effort. But you must also leverage social media platforms to extend your outreach on a budget. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn have immense potential for growing your reach and community. You can pick the apt social media platforms according to your target audience and build a presence across them. Start by creating a page, adding up your fan following, and building a community. The good thing about social media marketing is that it offers results fast without a massive investment. You only need to engage the audience with compelling posts, contests, and discussions.
Create valuable content
Content marketing is another affordable and viable digital marketing tactic to get lasting results for your startup. In fact, it can fuel your brand with trust and credibility like no other method. The best part is that it also boosts your search rankings significantly, so you get more benefits than you imagine. Start with valuable content on your website and publish informative pieces on your business blog. But the real benefits come by showcasing guest posts on niche leading blog sites. However, you need to prospect the best bloggers in your domain and convince them to publish your posts. You can read more about blogger outreach here and get services to connect with the niche leaders. Outsourcing the service is the best bet as it saves money and time for your startup.
Go the extra mile with email marketing
Startups can get more personalized with digital outreach by integrating email marketing into their strategy. You may have to work hard to build a quality email list, but having one gets you ahead with your branding plan. Go a step further with personalized emails offering informative content, relevant offers, and product recommendations. It is a form of direct communication with your target audience, and you can capitalize on these connections to build lasting relationships.
Besides following these proven hacks for marketing your startup brand, remember to stay ahead of the numbers. A set-and-forget approach is not a good one for any business. Track and monitor your campaigns, and fine-tune them for better outcomes without spending a fortune.