Should You Hire a Digital Marketing Agency?

Published on: 19 April 2017 Last Updated on: 04 September 2024
Digital marketing

You could have the most astounding business, offering the most elite products or service, but if your consumers cannot find you, how will they experience what you have to offer? Digital marketing is the latest way of marketing your business. Why? Because more than 3 billion people in the world use the internet.

Digital marketing agencies specialise in online strategies to get your website found. They use paid searches, search engine optimisation (SEO), the creation of content and social media in order to drive more traffic to your website. More traffic means more purchases, more customers and more revenue.

But why do you need a digital marketing agency? You have a pretty savvy marketing assistant promoting your company, that’s enough right? No, not if you want to beat your competitors.  Search engines such as Google are always changing how they rank and who should be placed higher. This makes optimisation ever-changing. Social media’s are constantly modernising algorithms and changing features.

In a continually changing and fast-paced digital world, it can be hard to keep up with digital marketing strategies, as well as run your business. You want to be the best in your game right? You want maximum profits and up-to-date strategies. Here is how a creative digital marketing agency can do this for you.

SEO

SEO

If someone is looking for something online, where is the first place they will go? Search engines. The most popular being Google, receiving over 3 billion online searches on a daily basis. If your website isn’t created to work well in a Google search, it’s going to be very difficult for people to find you.

SEO is an organic way to gain traffic because you’re not paying for it; you are just optimizing your site to rank higher on search engines. Keyword placement and gaining backlinks to your site are the main ways a digital marketing agency will SEO your website, but with ever-changing Google Algorithms, it requires consistent updating.

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Social media

social-media

A digital marketing agency also provides social media management. Knowing what social media platforms are best for your company is one thing, but being able to use them effectively to successfully promote a campaign is another.

If utilised correctly, social media is a great way to stay connected with customers, reach out to new customers and let people know exactly what your business is doing. Social networking is a powerful tool with 2.34 billion social media users worldwide.

Knowing how to encourage people to share your content on social media can make your business visible to thousands of the sharers’ friends that may not have ever seen your products or services otherwise. There’s specific do’s and don’ts to a social media campaign and accidently doing some of the don’ts could have detrimental effects on your business’ reputation.

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Content

Content Marketing

Writing content for digital marketing has to be done in a certain way. You may think it’s good to be creative with your content writing detailed descriptions and drop-intros to hook and engage your readers. However, if you don’t optimise it to the web, you won’t have any readers to hook.

It is not about cramming content with keywords, but about using them in the correct way to keep the quality and creative content, but also publish and promote your content well. Digital marketing agencies write all of your on-site and off-site content in an optimised way.

They create the right content for your correct audience for you through research of keywords used by your consumers and exploration of what your competitors are doing to make sure you are always number 1.

A digital marketing agency is a helping hand in promoting your business the way you know it deserves to be. They have the advantage of knowing their way around the complex digital world so that they can make sure your business is recognised, promoted and established in the digital marketing world.

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Business Marketing

Explore Some Interesting Marketing Trends for Your Business in 2018

How effective is your business marketing strategy? Have you been successful in staying abreast with the latest marketing trends? Have you been implementing effective strategies for measuring your success? If the answers to the above questions are no, do not lose heart. You are certainly not alone on this count. Several small businesses and SMEs do not even bother to find out if at all their business marketing tactics are working successfully. Here we would be examining some of the latest business marketing trends that are dominating the scenario today. You are advised to follow these strategies for gaining incredible business success. Tune Your Market Strategy : A small segment of business owners is aware when their market strategies are tanking. This could happen due to lack of planning, poor planning, haphazard attempts at success and no foresight. Successful digital marketers know that a large portion of their budget must go into content marketing on blogs, social media, and emails and so on. Good content must be created and promoted so that the business is noticed and can take off. Plan, Plan, Plan Less than 40% of businesses have effective content marketing strategies in place. Some fail due to poor quality content, others because they don't target their audience properly. A good marketer always tracks activity through each stage of the funnel and ensure that the strategy is fine-tuned when things go wrong. Tracking & Measuring : How to gain marketing success digitally for your SMEs could still seem to be a mystery for many of you. A huge percentage of small business entrepreneurs, as much as 46 percent to be precise, actually do not have any idea if the marketing strategies for their businesses are effectively working or not. Thanks to the present cutting-edge technologies, you are in a position to keep on tracking all your marketing returns, expenses, and debt.  For example, you could today find out exactly how much it would be costing your business for acquiring a new customer. You must consider all dollars diverted toward various areas of marketing including social media, website, blog writing, trade shows, direct mail, paid social, etc. you must consider factoring in all you have already spent on all these important marketing elements and then divide the amount by the number of new clients you acquire every month. Moreover, you must find out from exactly which marketing channel you are able to get new clients and more inquiries. It is imperative to consistently track ROI. Social Media Marketing Is Currently the Rage : As per a recent study, it has been predicted that 2018 is surely going to be the year of intense social media promotion and marketing. Among the SMEs, an impressive 71 percent is expected to gain new clients by using social media platforms effectively for marketing their brands.  This present marketing trend must be given a lot of importance and most entrepreneurs are appreciating and understanding the effectiveness of social media marketing. Social media is certainly one of the hottest business marketing trends. Facebook is obviously the prime choice for small businesses as 79% of entrepreneurs would be using Facebook in all their marketing endeavors. Will your business be benefitted if you incorporate the social media marketing plans into your business strategy? According to some Facebook exponents, Facebook success is all about going mobile.  If you wish to maximize the impact of Facebook in the marketing and promotion of your business, you must dedicate all your efforts at generating and delivering everything mobile-friendly. Virtual Reality Is Common : Virtual reality is gaining importance by the day and is, therefore, becoming a common marketing tool for both small and big brands. The actual challenge would be to utilize Virtual Reality or VR in such an effective way that it really makes sense for both your target audience and brand messaging in general. VR marketing actually is an emerging trend and now is the right time for exploring the options that are available to you and getting well ahead of the competition. More Dependence on Interactive Content : Several brands, particularly in the B2B sector are relying heavily on PDF content or blog content for generating leads as an integral part of content marketing tactics for their organizations. 2018 is going to be the year of interactive web experiences which ultimately help in boosting engagement. These experiences would be demonstrating amazing thought leadership content definitely in more impressive, visual, and animated ways. Pinterest : Pinterest is actually regarded as a niche social networking site. However, it is forecasted to be a huge success. The best way of grabbing marketing attention is by utilizing Pinterest Lens and its versatility and functionality for engaging effectively with consumers and showcasing your mind-blowing style, products, and services. Artificial Intelligence : Early exponents of AI or Artificial Intelligence have categorically realized the efficacy of AI in boosting user engagement. However, incorporating AI into any site’s chatbox such as the Facebook messenger could be creating more creativity and it also helps you to understand clearly the target market of the brand. Artificial intelligence would be addressing consumer needs and issues with perfection and the same degree of efficacy as a human agent. Remember it would be quite effective and helpful if the artificial intelligence experience absolutely delights your customers in basically lighthearted and fun ways. Conclusion : This year marketing trends have focused on honesty and authenticity. The latest marketing trend is to focus on stark reality or brutal honesty and this marketing trend is winning a lot of acclaim and appreciation. Marketers could discuss their products and explain clearly how advantageous those products or services are. They must, at the same time, tell their target audience the scope for improvement and the flaws that may still exist. All these statements could be supported by truly objective customer reviews. Authenticity for brands is the hottest marketing trend today. Around 86 percent of the customers feel authenticity is of utmost importance while deciding and evaluating the brands. Around 60 percent of consumers believe that user-generated content is the best form of authentic content. Read Also : Marketing – What’s Right For Your Business? Know Why Content Marketing Is Important For SEO Digital Marketing: Utilize Facebook To Support Your Hospitality Business

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Retail Titans: The 10 Biggest Companies Dominating the Industry

The retail industry is quite expansive and evolving with time.  The sector plays a key role in the global economy. Within this landscape, certain companies stand out as retail titans, wielding significant influence and dominating market shares. In this article, we will delve into the strategies and successes of the ten biggest retail giants, exploring their backgrounds, market presence, and the impact they have on the industry. Overview Of The Retail Industry Before delving into the details of each retail giant, it's essential to offer a broad understanding of the retail industry. Retail comprises a diverse array of businesses engaged in selling goods and services directly to consumers. This dynamic sector is marked by continuous innovation, evolving consumer preferences, and intense competition. Importance of Retail Titans The significance of retail titans cannot be overstated. These companies not only drive economic growth but also shape consumer behavior, set industry standards, and influence market trends. Their success is often indicative of their ability to adapt to changing landscapes, innovate, and connect with consumers on a massive scale. Walmart Walmart stands as a retail behemoth that has had a profound impact on the industry. Founded in 1962, the company has grown into the largest retailer globally, operating a vast network of stores and leveraging its market presence for strategic advantages. Company Background Walmart's origins as a small discount store in Arkansas contrast sharply with its current status as a global retail giant. With a relentless focus on providing low prices and unmatched convenience, Walmart has become a household name synonymous with affordable shopping. Market Presence And Dominance Walmart's dominance is reflected in its extensive network of stores, both physical and online. With a strong presence in the United States and a growing international footprint, Walmart's revenue and market cap are indicative of its unrivaled scale. Key Strategies for Success Walmart's success can be attributed to several key strategies, including a commitment to low prices, efficient supply chain management, and investments in e-commerce. The company's 1-Year Trailing Total Return on the stock exchange further underscores its financial strength. Amazon: The Greatest Retail Titan In the era of e-commerce, Amazon has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing the retail landscape and redefining customer expectations. E-commerce Revolution Amazon's rise to prominence is closely tied to its pioneering efforts in e-commerce. The company's user-friendly platform, extensive product selection, and efficient delivery systems have reshaped the way people shop. Diversification And Innovation Beyond e-commerce, Amazon has diversified its business portfolio, venturing into areas such as cloud computing, streaming services, and artificial intelligence. This diversification has contributed to the company's resilience and sustained growth.  Impact On Traditional Retail Amazon's impact on traditional retail cannot be ignored. The company's disruptive influence has forced brick-and-mortar retailers to adapt or face obsolescence, highlighting the transformative power of digital commerce. Alibaba Group: One Of The Greatest Retail Titan In Asia While Amazon dominates the Western e-commerce landscape, Alibaba Group holds a comparable position in the East, driving the Chinese retail revolution and expanding its influence globally. Rise Of Chinese Retail Alibaba's roots in China have allowed it to tap into the immense consumer market, contributing significantly to the rise of Chinese retail on the global stage. Global Expansion Alibaba's ambitious global expansion efforts have positioned the company as a major player beyond Chinese borders. Through strategic partnerships and investments, Alibaba continues to extend its reach and influence. Technology And Ecosystem At the core of Alibaba's success is its technological prowess and the creation of a vast ecosystem. From e-commerce to digital payments and cloud services, Alibaba's integrated approach sets it apart in the retail landscape. Costco Costco's membership-based model and commitment to customer loyalty have propelled it to prominence in the retail industry. Membership-Based Model Costco's unique membership model encourages customer loyalty by offering exclusive deals and discounts to its members. This approach has proven effective in driving repeat business and fostering a dedicated customer base. Focus On Customer Loyalty Beyond membership benefits, Costco's focus on providing quality products at competitive prices has fostered a reputation for value, further solidifying customer loyalty. Sustainability Initiatives In recent years, Costco has also made strides in sustainability, aligning with consumer preferences for environmentally conscious practices. These initiatives contribute to the company's positive public image. The Home Depot As a leader in the home improvement sector, The Home Depot's dominance extends beyond its vast retail footprint. Home Improvement Dominance The Home Depot's specialization in home improvement products and services has positioned it as the go-to destination for homeowners and contractors alike. Supply Chain And Logistics Efficient supply chain management and logistics are integral to The Home Depot's success. The company's ability to stock a vast array of products and deliver them promptly contributes to customer satisfaction. Digital Transformation Embracing digital transformation, The Home Depot has invested in online platforms and digital tools, enhancing the customer experience and staying competitive in the evolving retail landscape. CVS Health CVS Health's focus on health and wellness distinguishes it in the retail landscape, with a strong emphasis on pharmacy services and adaptation to market trends. Health and Wellness Retail As the retail landscape evolves, CVS Health's commitment to health and wellness provides a unique positioning in the market. The integration of healthcare services into its retail offerings sets CVS Health apart. Pharmacy Services With a vast network of pharmacies, CVS Health plays a critical role in providing essential healthcare services. The company's emphasis on pharmacy services contributes significantly to its revenue stream. Adaptation to Market Trends CVS Health has demonstrated agility in adapting to market trends, incorporating digital solutions, and expanding its services to meet the changing needs of consumers. Loves Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, with a focus on truck stops and convenience services, exemplifies innovation in services and a commitment to meeting the needs of travelers. Truck Stop and Convenience Love's stands as a vital service provider for truckers and travelers, offering a range of amenities, including fuel, convenience stores, and restaurant services, making it a one-stop destination. Travel Center Services Beyond traditional offerings, Love's Travel Stops provides essential services such as tire care and vehicle maintenance, catering to the specific needs of the transportation industry. Innovation in Services Love's commitment to innovation is showcased through its services, including a loyalty program and technology integration, enhancing the overall experience for its customers. Target Target's strategic brand reinvention and commitment to omnichannel retailing have fueled its success in the competitive retail landscape. Brand Reinvention Target's deliberate efforts in brand reinvention, including collaborations with popular designers and a focus on stylish yet affordable products, have resonated with a broad consumer base. Omnichannel Retailing In the era of digital retail, Target has embraced omnichannel strategies, seamlessly integrating online and offline shopping experiences to cater to the diverse preferences of modern consumers. Community Engagement Target's community engagement initiatives, including corporate social responsibility programs, contribute to its positive image and connect with consumers on a deeper level. Caseys In the realm of convenience stores, Casey stands out for its regional strength, expansion efforts, and community engagement. Convenience Store Dominance Casey's focus on convenience has allowed it to establish dominance in the sector. The company's strategically located stores cater to the needs of consumers seeking quick and accessible solutions. Regional Strength and Expansion While Caseys has a strong regional presence, the company's expansion efforts showcase its ambition to reach new markets and further solidify its position in the convenience store landscape. Community Engagement Casey's commitment to community engagement is evident through various initiatives, fostering a sense of connection with local communities and contributing to the company's positive image. Before we wrap up, for further exploration into the corporate landscapes of these influential companies and detailed insights into the top retail industries. Conclusion  In the current landscape of the retail industry, these ten retail titans continue to shape the way consumers shop, and businesses operate. Their diverse strategies, ranging from e-commerce dominance to community engagement, reflect the evolving nature of retail. As we look to the future, these companies will face new trends and challenges, such as technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and global economic shifts. The resilience and adaptability demonstrated by these retail giants will undoubtedly play a crucial role in navigating the ever-changing retail landscape.

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Assortment Planning Mistakes

The Real Cost of Assortment Planning Mistakes

In the world of e-commerce, there are many practices, concepts, and techniques that can help you boost your revenue and enjoy some extra profits. One of the least mentioned category of mistakes in this manner - and yet one of the most important - focus on the mistakes related to the assortment. In other words, these mistakes include all the wrong moves that e-commerce store owners are making during the buying process. The real trouble of these mistakes is the fact that many are unaware of their real cost. This is why we have decided to guide our readers in on the dangers of improper assortment planning - and how it can be fixed. The key, as you will notice in the sections below, is to optimize the process of buying inventory and therefore match the customer demand in a perfectly precise way. Mistake #1: Using Excel to Track Your Buying Process: One of the biggest mistakes that e-commerce owners make is the use of Microsoft Excel as a way to track their buying. Even though this seems as a logical way to organize your buying process, spreadsheets are generally a bad way to organize your information. Speaking of, anything that contains information in categories (added manually) has to be automated. In times when e-commerce owners are experiencing a magnitude of orders online, adding buys manually is time consuming - which is why it needs to be automated. Mistake #2: Improper Arrangement of Clusters: Clusters are the next mistake we are focusing on, and one that is tremendously big nowadays. The main way in which e-commerce managers are making it is by assigning every store to a single cluster - which needs to be reorganized. More importantly, products need to be clustered at a product class level, and use the information in quantities (before the assortments are bought). By doing this, you can link the buying process to the actual allocation and eliminate problems before it’s too late. Mistake #3: Inter-Store Inventory Balancing: If you ever caught yourself in a situation where you are losing sales in on store due to your lack of stock for a particular item, you are probably having the same product sitting and collecting dust on the shelves of another store (if you manage more than one store). At this point, the best way to solve this problem is by a simple trick - which does not involve the purchase of new inventory or the elimination of the inventory in one store so that it can be moved to another. Alternatively, you should use a smart predictive analysis engine and a tool that is known as “Inter-Store Inventory Balancing” to analyze every single influencing factor of your retail supply chain. As an advanced form of analytics, a tool like this will recommend the optimal inter-store transfer schedule so that you move merchandise from one store to another (from low to high demand). Mistake #4: Going Big (Instead of Going Custom): A lot of multi-channel retailers are nowadays focused on the “best rated” programs and solutions for optimizing their assortment planning. And while in most of the cases programs like these are built to last and cover as many aspects of product assortment as possible, they usually lack the functions that are needed in specific situations. For example, these programs often fail to calculate hundreds of algorithms on the kind of Big Data that today’s omni-channel retail products are able to churn out on a daily basis. Therefore, the general conclusion that we can all take from this mistake is to properly analyze your needs and implement a solution to analytics that works for you as you scale your business, is end-to-end integrated and coordinated between your merchandising and marketing. Final Words: At the end of the day, we all must accept the fact that mistakes linked to product assortment happen all of the time - and there is no harm in admitting that. As a retail expert, however, you should always be able to know how to fix them. Your assortment needs to be consistent, scalable, matching your needs and optimized for your specific customers. This is what proper assortment planning is all about. Ultimately, it is what will help you determine how much of your merchandise should be placed on your shelf. The end result of proper planning goes a long way - mostly resulting in increased sales and improved customer satisfaction. Read Also: Avoid These 5 Mistakes Before Starting An SEO 7 Proven Marketing Tactics To Increase Your ROI In 2018

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