Back9 Creative Logo

The Future of Marketing is Now! How to Market Your Business in 2023

Posted on by Phil

2023 is right around the corner and with it comes even more opportunities for businesses and brands to market themselves. Afterall Today’s Marketing is tomorrow’s Sales right? And in this fast-paced digital world, businesses must stay on top of their marketing game if they want to remain competitive. Even if they think they are busy enough and think they are too busy to market their business.

Lucky for you, we’re here to break down what the future of marketing looks like. And even better, how you can use it to your advantage. Read on!

Personalisation at its Finest

Personalisation has been a major trend in marketing for some time now. However, in 2023, personalization should/will be taken to new heights. Companies will need to use AI-driven technology to create personalized experiences for customers. AI-driven technology will enable companies to track customer data and create targeted campaigns that are catered specifically towards each individual customer. This type of personalized approach will help boost sales and strengthen customer loyalty.

Marketing in 2023: Content Is Still King

No matter what year it is, content will always be king in the world of marketing. In 2023, content needs to be engaging, informative, and timely in order for it to stand out from the competition. To do this effectively, companies need to rely on data-driven insights. Insights that can provide them with valuable information about their customers’. Understanding their interests and behaviours can help you create content that resonates with them on a deeper level. This is where a CRM like Hubspot can be an invaluable tool. Additionally, companies should focus on creating high-quality visual content such as videos or infographics that will help them drive engagement and increase brand awareness.

The Power of Social Media

Social media has been a major player in the world of digital marketing for some time now. And its role is only growing bigger each year. In 2023, social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat will still remain popular among users but newer platforms such as TikTok will start gaining more traction due its interactive nature and creative possibilities. To leverage these platforms effectively, companies need to focus on creating high-quality visuals that capture people’s attention while also providing them with useful information about their brand or product. Additionally, companies should take advantage of the many features these platforms offer such as polls or live streams which can help them further engage with their audience. We recommend that you have a social media plan as part of your over-arching Digital Marketing Strategy.

Be Prepared for More AI-driven Content

AI (Artificial Intelligence) as mentioned above, is increasingly making its presence felt in the world of marketing. In fact, AI-driven content has been gaining traction over the past few years and is expected to continue growing over time. This means that businesses should be prepared to use AI technology when creating content such as videos and articles. Additionally, companies should consider leveraging AI tools like chatbots and recommender systems to optimize their customer service experience. If you’re hesitant about AI, that’s understandable. If you’re wondering will AI put an End to Google, Content, and more? Who knows? But one thing is for certain, it’s here and probably not going away any time soon.

 

Focus on Mobile Optimization

The rise of mobile technology has been one of the biggest trends of the past decade. Smartphones are now commonplace, and more people than ever before are using these devices to access online content. As a result, businesses need to pay particular attention to mobile optimization if they want to reach their target audience effectively. This includes optimizing websites for mobile devices, creating optimized ads for mobile platforms, and developing apps that meet user needs. So you definitely need to AMP up your website for mobile devices.

 

As you can see, there are plenty of ways for businesses and brands to market themselves in 2023 but they all come down one thing – staying ahead of the curve when it comes to cutting-edge technology. By leveraging AI-driven personalization techniques along with engaging visual content across multiple social media platforms, and keeping your customer at the center of everything with personalization, companies can position themselves well for success in 2023 and beyond! So don’t wait – start planning your digital marketing strategy today!

Digital Marketing Roadmap Product Image

 

Can I Create a Website Myself?

Posted on by Phil

Do-It-Yourself or Hire an Expert: Building a Website for Your Business

When you’re ready to take your business to the next level, having an online presence is essential. But if you’re like most business owners or entrepreneurs, you may be asking yourself, “Can I create a website myself?”

The short answer is yes—you can use a website builder and get started with your website quickly. However, there are some things to consider when deciding whether to go it alone or hire a web design expert. Let’s explore the pros and cons of both approaches.

Creating a Website: Doing It Yourself: Pros and Cons

Free website design – is it the best option? Using a website builder to create your own website has its advantages. For starters, it’s usually less expensive than hiring someone else to do the work for you. You also have some limited control over the look and feel of your site. Plus, you can make changes whenever you want without having to wait on anyone else.

However, if you’re serious about making money with your site or scaling up in any meaningful way, then using a DIY approach might not be the best option for you. While website builders provide great tools for creating basic sites quickly, they often don’t offer the flexibility needed for more advanced features such as e-commerce capabilities or custom integrations with other software platforms. Additionally, many of these tools use pre-made templates that could limit how unique and professional your site looks.

Hiring an Expert to Create a Website: Pros and Cons

If you decide to hire an expert web designer or agency to build your site, then there are several advantages to consider. An experienced designer will have access to more powerful tools than those available through typical website builders. This means that they can create custom designs tailored specifically to your needs. They can also still maintain high standards of quality and usability. Additionally, they can optimize your site for search engine optimization (SEO) so that it ranks higher on Google and other search engines—which could lead to more traffic and revenue for your business in the long run!

The downside is that hiring an expert will cost more upfront than doing it yourself with a website builder. But websites these days are an investment. Websites can return far more than they cost over time. So consider this too, when making a decision. The cost will also depend on what type of project you need to be done (i.e. E-Commerce Design vs Simple Custom Web Design vs growth-driven design), costs can vary significantly from one project to another.

Image-link-about-growth-driven-web-design-back9-creative

A Website is a Sales Tool – So Get the most out of it!

Making the decision between doing it yourself or hiring an expert depends largely on what kind of project you need. The timeframe you need it to be completed. And how much time/money/resources are available at that moment in time. If you have the time (and knowledge) required then creating a basic website yourself using a website builder might be worth considering. Especially if the budget is tight at this point in time! However, if you’re looking for something more complex or simply don’t have enough time/knowledge then employing a web design agency or individual might be worth considering. Especially when taking into account all aspects involved such as SEO optimization and scalability potentials down the line! In either case, it’s important to talk with an expert (or experts) before moving forward so that everyone involved is clear on expectations from start until launch day!


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

Posted on by Phil

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!

Best Google Ads Agency in New Zealand

Posted on by Phil

Updated Friday 5th July 2024

Are you looking for the best Google Ads agency in New Zealand? Well, look no further. We’re here to tell you that the search is over. But before we can get into who the best agency is, let’s discuss a few key elements of what makes a great digital advertising agency.

Person seated at table drinking from a cup with laptop screen open viewing a Google search page.

What Does a Great PPC Ads Agency Look Like?

First and foremost, an excellent Google Ads agency will have experience and expertise in launching successful campaigns. They should also be knowledgeable about the latest trends in digital marketing, so they can help you stay ahead of your competition. Furthermore, they should have a proven track record of success with clients from various industries. This shows that they’re able to tailor their services to fit your company’s individual needs.

Another important factor when searching for the best PPC Ad agency is customer service. Is the team responsive and available when you need them? Do they take time to understand your goals and objectives? Are they willing to go above and beyond to make sure your campaigns are successful? A great digital ad agency will go out of their way to ensure that their clients are satisfied with their work.

Finally, it’s important to find an agency that understands the importance of budgeting and return on investment (ROI). A good agency will provide strategies that maximise ROI while still staying within budget parameters. This ensures maximum efficiency when it comes to spending money on ads.

Let’s Take a look at some of the Best Agencies in NZ in Google….

Back9 Creative

Back9 is one of the best Google Ads Agencies in New Zealand. And, we’re also the only Google Ads Agency Partner in Southland. What does this mean? To make and keep this ‘partner’ status, we need have current certified professionals. We need to meet a minimum standard in terms of Ad Quality Score. And we need to spend a minimum of USD $10,000 within a 90 day period. That’s a lot of converting Google Ads for our valued clients!

Here at Back9 Creative, we don’t normally include ourselves when we compile an article on the best. After all, you’re already on our website, right? However, we reckon when it comes to Google Ads in Invercargill and who’s the best, we’re right up there. So why not reach for higher honours? We can deliver with the best Google Ads Agencies in New Zealand without a doubt!

In fact, the last time we searched for the best Google Ads Agency in New Zealand… What do you know? We were numero uno in the organic (unpaid) results! So whether you’re looking for the best Google ads Agency in Wellington, Google ads in Christchurch, Google Ads in Queenstown or even the best Google ads Agency in Invercargill, we’re pretty sure we’ll be popping up somewhere.

Screenshot of Google Search for best Google Ads Agency in New Zealand
CTA-with-a-woman-looking-slightly-confused-and-text-reading-how-much-do-google-ads-cost-and-a-button-to-find-out

Adhesion

Auckland based Adhesion provides professionally managed Google Ads advertising services for small to medium-sized businesses throughout NZ from their Auckland base. They‘ve over 15 years experience as a digital advertising agency, in successfully managing Google advertising campaigns.

Sprocket Digital

The Sprocket team lives and breathes digital; that’s why you’ll only find digital solutions on our list of services. What sets them apart from other online marketing agencies in Auckland, NZ?  Well they say it is their no-fluff approach to creating a personalised digital marketing strategy that ticks all your boxes.

Thanks to more than 35+ years working in and around big advertising companies, Sprocket takes the big agency experience and applies it to businesses of all shapes and sizes via their friendly, small agency feel.

Firefly Digital

Firefly is an Auckland-based Google Ads and Digital Marketing Agency. It was born in 2014 as a response to a flawed industry. There were limited digital options that helped businesses get ahead. With a passion for business, Anthony Baxter set forth to build an agency that focussed on growth, that was channel-agnostic, and didn’t play favourites with any platforms or strategies, but rather helped businesses with the best strategy and channel mix to achieve their goals.

Since then their team has grown quickly and has worked with over 700 businesses, in over 100 industries, generating over two hundred million dollars worth of sales for their customers.

The Web Guys

The Web Guys is a fast-growing digital creative agency in Parnell, Auckland. They develop strategies, create content, build products, launch campaigns, design systems, and then some, all to inspire the people our brands care about most.

After years of evolution in the digital space, they’ve produced cutting-edge creative for startups and well-established companies spanning tech, eCommerce, hospitality, trade, and beyond.

google ads audit image

Flow Marketing

Flow Marketing says “Partner with them, and grow your business”. They are a team of 10 in Takapuna, specializing in lead-generation marketing.

They have developed a style of marketing that works extremely well for businesses that make more than $1000 each time they bring them a new client (throughout their entire time as a paying customer). I’m not sure what that means, are you?

They work on all platforms to bring you high-quality leads and have managed millions of dollars in ad spend in order to reach their current approach.

They say they are even able to close the leads they generate for you, as an outsourced representative of your company. Well, that Sounds pretty decent…

Numero Agency

Numero was born in August 2016 by entrepreneur Richard Gilbert with a mission that is true to it’s name – make numbers matter for businesses.

Over the years they say they have managed to stand out in an overcrowded market for one big reason – They bring their clients a return on their investment i.e. RESULTS. 

First Page

Based in Christchurch, First page unashamedly say, they’re “the digital marketing agency that’ll put your competition to shame and deliver high-quality traffic that actually converts”.

As the top-rated digital marketing agency in NZ and self proclaiming that they’ve ‘won more awards than Brad Pitt’, they might be worth investigating.

Pure Seo

Pure SEO is a Google-partnered digital marketing agency in New Zealand. The award-winning team of certified specialists delivers search engine optimisation, Google Ads, conversion rate optimisation, analytics, content creation, social media, and a range of internet marketing services.

So who’s the pick of this lot?

The answer is obviously very subjective! The question maybe should who is the best Google Ads Agency for you? And How do you choose the best marketing agency for your business needs?

Any of the agencies in the list above are plenty qualified to do the job. Ask yourself, do you want to deal with someone local? If so, choose someone in your region. If you’re not worried, then feel free to talk to any or all of them. The main thing is that you get the best fit for you and your business. If you can find an agency you feel as though you align with and can trust, then you’ll probably know the answer yourself.

Shop around, don’t get sold to too hard, and get choose the right fit for you. Good Luck!

Get a FREE Google Ads Audit

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

Posted on by Phil

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!