Many small, local mom-and-pop businesses think of the inclusion of technology to run their business and cringe.
However, automation, easy-to-use tools, code-free applications, and drag-and-drop marketing options make that painstaking process of learning new tech very simple for even the most novice of technology users.
If you run a small business, you might be thinking: “How will I ever be able to take the time to learn these new systems, actually sit down and USE them, while also doing the day-to-day tasks necessary to keep the doors open?”
Take a deep breath and let’s dive in. It’s easier than you may think!
Social Media Marketing
Think for just a moment about where your current and ideal customers spend their time. I’m guessing one of two places: work and social media.
Optimizing free social media platforms either in written or video form can take your marketing to the next level. Brand awareness is step one to getting more customers through your physical or metaphorical door.
Create engaging content that portrays your business as the hero who works tirelessly to solve their problems with your products and services OR showcases the authentic side of your company. You could take your followers on a tour of the warehouse, or create a 60-second video to help them achieve a small task or process that’s related to your industry.
This method of branding meets your customers where they are and guides them through your sales process to achieve complete personal transformation, courtesy of your products and services.
Create that trust that your customers seek with high-value content and inspiration to purchase your services.
Cost-Effective Website
Small businesses without websites are sometimes seen as illegitimate or not trustworthy. According to SiteBuilderReport, one-third of all small businesses feel that they are too small to require an online presence.
Today’s website builders have drag and drop features that allow business owners to completely customize their site with ease – and are extremely cost-effective. Your company could get your website up and running for an extremely low monthly cost. For example, just $10 could get you a domain name and your first month of hosting! (Reference)
Google My Business
It’s a fact that 93% of all online shopping or browsing sessions begin with a search engine (commonly Google).
Have you ever opened up an internet browser to find the phone number of your favorite local restaurant and in moments... it’s staring you in the face? Thank Google My Business!
It is absolutely FREE to have your small business listing in the Google search results and imperative for your local customers to find you! (It’s a huge bonus for your current and potential clients if your website is also connected to your Google listing!)
Cloud Computing
Anyone ever told you to “get your head out of the clouds?” Maybe because... that’s where data and information goes!
First, let’s explain Cloud Computing Tech before we talk about how it can help scale your branding, ease your back-end process, and boost your bottom line.
Imagine filing cabinets behind filing cabinets and taking the hours required to both file customer invoices, marketing materials, expenses, and quotes for services AND actually, find them when you need them! Cloud computing removes the painstaking feat of paperwork and houses all your files, software, and other materials on an accessible server – digitally.
With Cloud Computing options, gone are the days of filling up your computer’s memory with downloads and cluttering your desktop with word documents.
Depending on the amount of storage your small business needs, the cost is minimal. You could get started today for FREE!
Custom Landing Pages
Looking to gather leads for your email list to broadcast your new products and services, or just promote your existing ones? Creating a landing page to include in your online marketing efforts guides your potential customers through a 2-page website, nurturing them and gaining trust in your branding as they progress.
Landing page builders are often free to join and many offer three free funnels (which is a set of landing pages) before needing to upgrade to a paid plan. That gives every business owner a risk-free opportunity to usher their potential clients through the entire sales process and demonstrate the path to that transformation they’ve been hoping for.
These specialized web pages can also be built (like your website) with drag-and-drop features including text that highlights your product, a list of benefits of using YOUR services, images of your brand new creation, and even a video showcase!
Graphic Design Tools
What’s a good marketing strategy without eye-catching graphics?
You don’t have to outsource your graphic design work to create images for your new website, landing page visuals, and social media posts (complete with your logo)… you just need graphic design software.
There are many to choose from and usability levels range from complete “beginner-friendly” to “I need a course for this!” See some examples.
Software options like Blender allow for complex 3-D designs while options like Canva can allow small business owners to create stunning images with just a few clicks.
If you’re new to the world of integrating technology into your small business and seem a bit overwhelmed… not to worry. The internet is chocked full of helpful tutorials, tips, tricks, and videos to help you transform your business from yellow pages to Google pages in no time.
Not sure you have the will or the knowledge to tackle all this by yourself? Help is just a click away.
Matthew Christian helps small business owners use technology to level up their business AND their revenue.
Reach out today to schedule a free strategy call and discuss ways to optimize your branding, and talk about the first step in the process to providing that transformation for your customers – which keeps them coming back for years to come!
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