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Inbound Marketing Archives - Back9 Creative

Your Website Can Still Grow Your Sales Without Selling Products Online

So you want to Grow your Sales online, but your business service-based? Do you think that means you’re doomed to miss out on e-commerce success? Not so fast!

Gone are the days of a website being nothing more than a brochure. A website is a sales and marketing tool. The most powerful one you have!

It’s the hub of any good digital marketing strategy. That means even if you don’t sell a product directly online, you can still track and grow the sales generated by your website. The key lies in creating great content, answering prospect queries, and providing offers that add value to every step of their buying journey.

Here is how you do it.

Educate your Customers

Shoppers these days have more choices than ever before when it comes to buying a product. But with so much choice also comes with some confusion on what product they should buy. Buyers now rely on self-education before they step foot into your store and speak to a salesperson. In fact, some experts say as much as 70% of the decision is made before getting in touch with a business. By the time they get to the store, most buyers have an idea of what they want; if not the exact product they need. So how do they find out this information ahead of time? The way that they educate themselves is with content that they find online. This means it’s important to educate your buyer so they can get the information they want.

Here’s 9 reasons why you should educate your buyer…

 

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Great Content That Builds Trust and Authority

Don’t let the fact that your website isn’t selling a product fool you into thinking you don’t need top-quality content. Content is still king when it comes to building Authority and Trust as a company or brand. After all, prospects need something to consume before they even consider contacting you. Everyone loves quality content because it educates them on their options while also showing off your expertise. This kind of content is especially helpful for those just beginning to research potential solutions – they will be able to get a better idea of who they can trust with solving their problem without having to commit yet.

Tracking Data To See What Works

Once you start getting prospects engaging with your website, measuring and tracking data will tell you which avenues are bringing the most leads. Are more people coming from organic search? Paid advertising? Articles? Content offers? Knowing which sources bring in more leads allows you to make better decisions about where to invest your money in terms of marketing efforts. Furthermore, by creating conversion paths (making it easy for clients to progress along their journey) and then contacting you via your website, it means you can also measure what information (or content) has actually converted them.

For example, you write an article about “How much do my widgets cost in NZ”? A prospect lands on this article from a google search. Then navigates through your website to another piece of helpful content. From there they stumble across an ebook “how to get the most out of your widget”. They fill out a form and download the ebook. Then you know who they are. You can nurture them as a lead – or you could call them to discuss how they liked the ebook.

If that person then converts to a customer – you can attribute this lead to: Organic Search and That Article about the cost of your widget. If this continues to happen, and that article becomes a high-ranking landing page then you track how much revenue that one article is responsible fore (or generates).

Qualifying Prospects Before They Reach Out

Inbound marketing doesn’t just bring more leads – it also helps qualify them before they reach out. That way, if someone does contact you, then chances are very high that they are already interested in what you have to offer – meaning less time wasted on unqualified buyers or tire kickers who don’t actually want what you have for sale. Inbound marketing is key for any business looking to save time while generating leads at the same time!

 

So there we have it – proof positive that your website doesn’t need an e-commerce component in order to grow your sales online! By creating great content, answering prospect queries, and providing offers that add value at every step of their buying journey, businesses can build trust and authority as well as measure what works best at driving revenue growth. Plus, using inbound marketing tactics will help qualify prospects before they even contact you – saving everyone involved valuable time! If done correctly, this method of generating leads should be an integral part of any service-based business’s digital strategy today. It’s an investment in your business and you may need help from a marketing agency. So How do you choose the right marketing agency for your business? Shop around and do your research. Find a company that resonates wit you and your values and you’ll be well on the way to seeing success online.

 

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Don’t Turn off Your Marketing Engine When the Economy Cools Down

So, you’re panicking about the state of the economy and your business. It’s natural to feel worried and want to cut expenses. But don’t forget that marketing is (or should be) the engine of your business. You can turn off other functions in times of economic downturn, but you should never switch off your marketing spend! Let’s explore why.

Marketing is an Investment, Not an Expense

The most important thing to remember when thinking about cutting marketing spend is that marketing is an investment. It’s not a function you turn on and off like a lightbulb. It takes time to build and nurture relationships with customers. Moreover, it takes time to build Trust and authority online too. If you stop investing in those relationships now, they may be gone by the time the economy recovers. The future of Marketing is now.

Additionally, it’s important to note that marketing isn’t just about promoting products or services. It’s also about providing value to customers through content, resources, and other helpful information. And doing that throughout their buyer’s Journey. That kind of value-based messaging will go a long way in helping customers continue to trust and support your brand during tough times.

Keep Adapting for Business Success

Now more than ever it’s important for businesses to be agile in their approach to marketing. During economic downturns, there are always opportunities for savvy businesses that can adapt quickly enough to take advantage of them. That means having a flexible marketing strategy in place. This could include shifting focus away from certain markets or demographics while increasing efforts in others, switching up product offerings or bundling services together at discounted rates, or finding new ways to reach out via social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. In any case, keeping up with changes in consumer behavior is key if you want to stay competitive during challenging times.

Don’t be driven by Fear!

Today’s Marketing is Tomorrow’s Sales. So don’t let fear drive your decisions when it comes to your business’ marketing strategy—especially during periods of economic downturn. Remember that marketing is an investment that pays off over time, so cutting too much spend can do more harm than good in the long run! The key is being agile enough to respond quickly when opportunities arise and adapting your approach as consumer behaviors change over time. With a little creativity and strategic planning under your belt, you can ensure success even when the economy cools down!

Stop Talking About Yourself (And Start Talking To Your Customers)

Are you guilty of talking about yourself too much on your website and social media? You’re not alone! You’re trying to promote yourself and your business. You’re trying to tell the whole world you’re here and that you can help! The risk here is it’s easy to get wrapped up in the “me, me, me” mentality. But let’s face it—no one cares about(or resonates with) how great you are. Especially if you’re the one saying it. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk about yourself at all, but your marketing should focus more on your ideal customer and their needs, rather than just talking about what makes you so great.

Focus On Your Ideal Customer

Your marketing isn’t about you. It should always be focused on your ideal customer. Who are they? What do they need? What problems are they facing? Once you know the answers to these questions, you can create content that speaks directly to them and resonates with them. Instead of talking about yourself or your product/service, focus on how it can solve their problem. This is one of the key things to creating the anatomy of a high-converting website. By addressing issues and creating helpful, relevant content, it will make it much easier for potential customers to see why they should choose you over others in the marketplace.

Be Clear & Concise

We all know that people have short attention spans these days so it’s important to keep your message clear and concise. Get straight to the point and tell them exactly what they need to know without rambling on for too long. Use simple language that anyone can understand and avoid using jargon or industry-specific terms unless absolutely necessary. Keep it short and sweet!

Make It Personal

One of the best ways to connect with your customers is by making it personal. Showing them that there is an actual human behind the product/service is key in building trust with potential customers. Try weaving a personal story into your content or feature quotes from happy customers who have used your product/services before – this will go a long way in convincing people they’ve made the right choice when choosing you over others in the market.

Remember that Marketing isn’t about you

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that marketing isn’t about you – it’s about helping potential customers solve their problems by providing them with a solution. Put yourself in their shoes – what would make YOU choose one company over another? Focus on creating content that speaks directly to them and shows them why YOU are the best option for solving their problem or meeting their need. If you can do this successfully, then chances are those potential customers will become paying customers!

The Benefits of Building a Customer Database

As a business owner, you should always be looking for ways to grow your customer base (generate leads) and increase sales. One way to help do this is to build a database of clients (or customers). A customer database is a collection of information about your current and prospective clients. To get the best out of a customer database you’ll ideally use CRM software.

This information can be used to generate leads, cultivate relationships, and close sales. If this sounds like it makes sense, then here are some of the benefits of building a customer database.

Generate Leads

A customer database can be a powerful tool for generating leads. By understanding the needs and wants of your target market, you can create targeted marketing campaigns that attract new clients. They are people who are likely to use your products or services. You can also use your client database to segment your leads so that you can target them with more personalized marketing messages.

Cultivate Relationships

Your client database is not just a list of names and contact information. It is also a valuable resource for understanding your client’s needs and wants. By keeping track of the interactions you have with your clients, you can develop stronger relationships with them over time. This will make them more likely to do business with you in the future and recommend you to others.

Close Sales

Finally, a client database can help you close sales by giving you the ability to target your marketing messages more effectively. By understanding what each client is interested in, you can customize your sales pitch to their specific needs. This will increase the likelihood that they will do business with you.

A Customer Database is an asset

A client database is a valuable asset for any business owner. Also as a component of Inbound Marketing Strategy, a customer database is a powerful tool. It can be used to generate leads, cultivate relationships (or nurture leads), and close sales. If you are not already using a CRM like Hubspot for some type of client database, now is the time to start! Not only can a customer database, like a CRM, house all that valuable information (data) it can actually increase the value f your business too! If you’re not sure where to start, then a digital marketing roadmap is a great option to get you on the road! Click below to find out more…

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How to Generate Leads without Losing your Mind

Trying to generate leads can feel a bit like herding cats. You know you need to do it, but you’re not quite sure how. And even when you think you’ve got a good system in place, something always manages to go wrong. Then you spend hours (or days) trying to fix the problem, only to have another one pop up in its place. It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out—but don’t worry, we’re here to help. Keep reading for our top tips on how to generate leads without losing your mind.

1. Get organised.

The first step if you want to generate leads is getting your ducks in a row. Or, more accurately, getting your leads in a CRM. A CRM (customer relationship management) system will help you keep track of your leads and their contact information so you can follow up with them at the appropriate time. There are lots of different CRMs on the market, so do some research and find the one that’s right for your business. At Back9 we are an Agency Solutions partner with Hubspot. If you’re looking for a CRM and want more info about Hubspot then feel free to get in touch.

2. Identify your target audience.

If you’re going to generate leads that will actually convert into customers, you need to start by identifying your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What needs do they have that your product or service can address? Once you know who you’re trying to reach, you can start tailoring your lead generation efforts specifically to them.

3. Utilise multiple channels.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to lead generation. Utilize multiple channels—such as social media, email marketing, and trade shows—to reach as many potential leads as possible. Then, once you’ve captured their contact information, you can follow up with them through the channel they’re most responsive to.

4. Make it easy for people to take action.

If you want people to take advantage of your lead generation efforts, you need to make it easy for them to do so. Whether that means having a clearly marked call-to-action on your website or providing a simple form for them to fill out. No one likes a long convoluted form to fill out. The easier you make it for people to take action, the more likely they are to actually do so.

5. Set up a system and stick to it .

Last but not least, one of the best ways to generate leads without losing your mind is simply by setting up a system and sticking to it. When it comes to lead generation (and pretty much anything else in business), consistency is key. So find a system that works for you. And then stick with it day in and day out until it becomes second nature. Before long, generating leads will be a breeze .

Are you ready to generate some leads?

Excellent! There are many benefits of Lead generation. Just remember to start by getting organised , identify your target audience, utilizing multiple channels, making it easy for people to take action, and setting up a system that works for you. If you can do all that, we have no doubt that you’ll be generating high-quality leads in no time. Of course, that is easier said than done, so as always we recommend doing some research and seeing if it may be worth outsourcing lead generation.

Lead generation is one of the easiest components of a Digital Marketing Strategy to measure, so it is always a good investment. And any decent agency will definitely be focussed on returning a lot more to your business than what you need to outlay. Ans that should include Ad Spend such as Google Ads. In fact depending on their agency model, they may not even charge you until you see results.

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9 Tips For Succeeding online

The internet has a lot of advice. You can find tips on everything from how to fix your sink to how to be a better person. But when it comes to business, things can get a little trickier. There are so many moving parts to a business, and the internet offers a million different solutions to each problem. It’s enough to make your head spin! So how do you succeed online?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of 9 tips that we think will help you succeed online. These are tried and true methods that we’ve seen work time and time again for our clients. So without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Define Your Goal

The first step to finding success online is defining your goal. This is a huge part of your Digital marketing – or inbound strategy. What do you want to achieve? More website traffic? More sales? More engagement with your customers? Once you know what you want, you can start planning your strategy.

2. Know Your Audience

If you want to achieve your goal, you need to know who you’re talking to. Who is your target audience? What do they like? What do they dislike? What problems do they need solved? Knowing your audience (or buyer persona) is essential to creating content that resonates with them.

3. Create Compelling Content

Once you know who you’re talking to, it’s time to start creating content for each stage of your buyer’s journey. This is where the rubber meets the road—your content needs to be compelling enough to get people’s attention and keep them coming back for more. How do you do that? Write headlines that make people want to click, create graphics that are eye-catching, and above all else, provide value. This may mean engaging an outsourced team or an agency, but by working with the right team you will get results. Give people something they can use, something that will make their lives better in some way. That’s what will keep them coming back for more. If you need help with a content plan check this out.

The Beginner's Guide to Digital Marketing -- What is Content?

4. Promote Your Content

Just because you’ve created great content doesn’t mean you’ll succeed online. Or that people will automatically see it—you have to promote it! There are a number of ways you can promote your content, but some of the most effective are through social media, email marketing, and paid advertising such as Google Ads

5. Analyze Your Results

In business, you have to know your numbers. So it’s key to know your goal as mentioned before – that helps you understand what to measure. Once you’ve been promoting your content for a while, it’s time to take a step back and analyze your results. What’s working? What’s not working? What can you change or improve? If you want to succeed online, don’t be afraid to experiment; the only way to find what works best is by trying new things and seeing what sticks

6. Rinse & Repeat!

Now that you’ve analyzed your results and made some changes accordingly, In order to succeed online, it’s time to start the process all over again! Keep creating great content and promoting it—before long, you’ll start seeing the results you’re looking for.”

7. Be Consistent

to truly start to succeed online, it’s important to be consistent with your branding across all channels including social media sites like Twitter which now offers users the ability to see when someone hasn’t tweeted in a while as well as how long ago their last tweet was sent.” It looks bad when potential customers come across an inactive brand on Twitter or any other social site for that matter.” Being consistent also means posting regularly which brings us too…

8. Post Regularly

You should have some sort of posting schedule whether it’s once a day or once a week but try not to go longer than 2 weeks without posting anything or people may forget about you.” If needed set reminders in Google Calendar or whatever system works best for you so nothing falls through the cracks. There are lots of systems out there to help you succeed online with this stuff. In fact Social media platforms themselves let you schedule posts now too. The key is to have a plan of what content you will post and when.

9. Keep Track of Everything

Last but not least – to succeed online, keep track of everything! This includes metrics like website traffic (Google Analytics is great for this), social media stats, leads generated from each campaign as well as anything else related directly or indirectly related .” This will help tremendously when trying different tactics down the road as well as knowing which ones worked best so they can be repeated.”

To Succeed online – where do I start?

It’s easy to say that if you can follow these 9 tips, you’ll be well on your way to being able to succeed online! But where do you actually start? Well like anything the best place to start is with a plan or a Roadmap. To succeed online, it does take time. Just remember to be patient—Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful online presence. But if you stay focused and keep at it, we have no doubt that you’ll find the success you’re looking for. Thanks for reading!

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