marketing trends for SMEs

10 Digital Marketing Trends for Small Business

by Digital Marketing

The world of digital marketing is constantly changing, and that’s especially true for small business owners who are trying to do the most with limited time and resources. If you’re looking for a competitive edge in your digital marketing strategy, check out these marketing trends for SMEs you should know about to enhance your digital marketing efforts.

 

1. AI for Automation

AI is the new buzzword, and it’s not going away anytime soon. With artificial intelligence, businesses of all sizes can automate repetitive tasks and save time on mundane tasks that would otherwise take up valuable resources. By automating some of your work through AI, your business can free up its resources to focus on other areas that need attention, such as customer service or product development.

 

2. Chatbots

Chatbots help businesses engage with customers by providing timely information to questions and inquiries. You can also use chatbots to get customers’ feedback about their experience with your products or services, which will help improve those experiences in the future. In addition, the automation saves you from hiring a team of customer service experts.

 

3. Personalized Customer Relationships

Personalized messages are essential when dealing with customers because they personalize each communication based on previous interactions. This is unlike generic emails, which feel like spam when received by someone who has never contacted a business before. This results in a lower bounce rate due to feeling acknowledged for the customer’s specific needs.

 

4. Emphasis on Video Content

Video content is a great way to engage customers, and it’s more likely to be shared than text content. Video lends itself perfectly to the small business market because it’s easy for you to create and share, making it much more likely that your potential customers will view your videos because of the unique nature and feel of your content. 

 

5. User Generated Content

User-Generated Content (UGC) is a great way to engage with customers and build a community. UGC includes comments, reviews, photos, videos, and other content that your audience creates on their own. It’s one of the best ways to get feedback from your audience because they are the ones doing the talking and a beneficial digital marketing trend for SMEs.  

 

6. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is a powerful way to reach your target audience, but it can be challenging to find the right influencers for your brand. You want to find an influencer in your niche market with followers aligned with your target audience. A single post by a powerful influencer exposes your brand to way more leads than other marketing trends for SMEs.

 

7. Everything is Mobile Ready

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: Everything is mobile-friendly now. In fact, if you have a site that isn’t mobile-ready, you’re at a disadvantage in the market. If your website isn’t responsive or optimized for mobile users, you could lose out on potential customers searching for businesses like yours on their smartphones and tablets.

 

8. SEO and Negative Keywords

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a technique that helps your website’s ranking in search engines like Google. The idea behind it is that if your website appears higher on search results pages, more people will visit your site and visit more often. Negative keywords are those related phrases or words that might mislead your market. A company named “Firehouse Pizza” wouldn’t want to appear in a search of “local fire department services.”

 

9. Local Services Ads

Google and other search engines are placing great importance on local keywords. Things like “best pizza near me” or “best pizza in New York” are frequently used search terms. Including your physical location or service area will boost your page rank and lead generation.

 

10. Optimized for Voice Search

As voice search grows in popularity, small businesses should be ready to optimize their website for it. While this means adjusting the content on your site, it also requires some technical changes to ensure that customers find what they’re looking for when they ask a question.

 

Conclusion

Although many of these marketing trends for SMEs may seem daunting, they all have significant benefits for small businesses looking to scale their marketing and grow their reach. With so many new tools available, it is crucial that you start making changes now and give yourself a competitive edge.

 

There are several ways in which these new technologies can help your business improve the way you work with your customers, build trust and loyalty, and deliver more value than ever before. We at Griffon Webstudios can walk you through each step to ensure a vibrant and healthy lead generation ecosystem for your business.

Ecommerce Marketing Ideas to Make a Difference in the Coming Year

E-Commerce Marketing Ideas to Make a Difference in the Coming Year

by Digital Marketing

The New Year is nearly upon us, and everywhere you look retailers and e-commerce marketing campaigns are being turned into high gear to capture as many sales as possible before the big Christmas holiday. While that is a great strategy in the short term, it doesn’t prepare small businesses and online sellers for the upcoming year.

 

That is why we’ve gone through a few of the expected web design trends and e-commerce marketing tips that you should take advantage of to keep your business afloat and doing well in the future.

 

1- Step up Your Visual Game

 The vast majority, nearly 83%, of consumers consider sharing video content with their friends when it relates to their interests, needs, or desires. That means if you want to have content that engages your target market, you need to make it tailored to their needs and in a video format. User-generated content is one of the most valuable ways to go viral online and through social media. Having videos of unboxings, tours of your facilities or funny 20-second clips will go a long way to improving your e-commerce marketing in 2022.

 

2- Don’t Shy from SEO and Link Building

There is a good reason why so many web design trends involve SEO practices. You could have all the fantastic and engaging content you want, but if Google and other major search engines don’t understand how to categorize your website, you won’t get the traction you need. This is even truer for local SEO. You don’t want to appear like a shoe company based in LA if you are selling homemade candles in Alaska.

 

3- Personalize As Much As Possible

Today’s consumer not only wants a more personalized experience with their favorite brands, they expect it and will judge other brands when it isn’t offered. Using customized advertisements that change what is viewable on your website based on the user’s demographics visiting your landing page improves your click rates. Instead of casting a wide net that gets lost in the marketing mix, you are directly targeting high-value consumers’ needs and wants. 

 

4- Integrate Social Proof

The advantage of shopping online is that you get to read other users’ reviews who have tried a product or service. Having a space in your e-commerce marketing for user-generated social proof like reviews increases your trust factor with those on the fence about making a purchase. This web design trend to post recent Amazon or Shopify reviews directly on your landing page is an excellent way to bring more attention to what you have to offer.

 

 

Where to Get Started

When you consider what changes you need to make to your marketing and website platforms for the next year, try reaching out to the experts at Griffon Webstudios. We have years of experience streamlining e-commerce marketing campaigns and improving your website user journey that can directly target those consumers most aligned with your products and services.

 

Visit Griffon Webstudios and schedule a consultation with our expert staff today!

Proven Local SEO Tips to Dominate Google Search

Proven Local SEO Tips to Dominate Google Search

by Digital Marketing

How often have you done your keyword research only to find those challenging to leverage phrases that always end with “near me” or “in my area” in your results? That is because almost half of all Google searches involve looking for local information. Consumers use their mobile devices to hunt down stores, restaurants, entertainment, and services near their specific location.

Google noticed this a long time ago. They began shifting their search engine algorithm to elevate businesses higher in organic results with location data as part of their SEO strategy. Maybe your site gets buried when people in two states over searching for “local sushi restaurant,” but you are number one in the results when it is someone within 20 miles of your excellent spicy tuna roll.

Would you like to rank higher in Google for local SEO? Here are a few of our digital marketing tips that are proven to give you a boost.

1- Leverage Google My Business

Google My Business is a profile of your company that often comes up beside search results on Google’s website. It is a quick overview of your business that makes it incredibly easy for consumers to locate your products and services. On mobile devices, you will appear above the fold, often before any other search results after filling out the proper information for Google.

2- Utilize Other Business Listings

It might seem simple, but updating your listing on Yelp, Angie’s List, HotFrog, or any other popular business listing website should be at the top of your local SEO checklist. This sends a clear signal to Google that you are who you say you are, and any searches in your area should filter back to your business.

3- Consistent Information

Business information will change periodically. Maybe your company will move to a new building, or use multiple phone numbers for different departments. In either case, you need to ensure all your NAP (name and place) data is the same across all your platforms. Google wants to verify you because it improves their service. Having your name, address, phone number, and other contact data the same on Google, Yelp, and even social media is incredibly important to your local SEO results.

4- Create and Optimize Local Content

This may seem obvious, but many businesses overlook simply adding highly relevant local keywords to their content. For example, if you are a Seattle-based dog groomer but do not list words like Seattle, Washington, and Northwest on your website, you are not telling Google exactly where you operate. You’re missing out on potential customers because your digital marketing isn’t directed to consumer location-based searches.

5 – Be Mobile Responsive

If you haven’t already, update your website so it is mobile responsive. This is a good idea for your local SEO checklist because nearly 30% of all mobile searches are locally based. If your website does not display well on a mobile device, you will not appear well on Google’s search engine results.

Local SEO to the Rescue

Leveraging local SEO in your digital marketing strategy is an easy way to increase your brand visibility, website traffic, and overall success. This is a straightforward solution to growing your business within your local area that does not take a lot of work or research to complete. The more you can take advantage of improving your local digital footprint, the more likely you will rank higher in Google, leading to better customer engagement.

10-Reasons-your-marketing-plan-should-go-beyond-social-media

10 Reasons your Marketing Plan Should Go Beyond Social Media

by Digital Marketing

Social media is a relatively new kid on the block regarding marketing. Providing businesses with a low barrier of entry and cost with enticing conversion rates. The days of the influencer are upon us with notable internet celebrity packing a significant marketing punch.

While some may be ready to push their chips all in on Social Media marketing, we implore you to consider these ten vital reasons to extend your marketing beyond the confines of a selfie made platform.

1. Declining Reach

You can’t blame us for reaching for the sky. With our heads and pictures securely floating in the nebulous cloud, it is only natural to latch on to the supported platforms. Driven to popularity by an unprecedented engagement rate Social Media marketing is an enticing avenue. Though 2019 has shown that the avenue may be shrinking. Organic traffic to marketing posts is in a steady decline impacting your overall reach.

social media marketing2. Crowded Market

Have you ever braved a trip to the brick and mortar stores on Black Friday? Surrounded on every side by people trying to get their hands on the same products as you, with hardly enough room to breathe?  Social Media marketing suffers from overcrowding, as more and more competitors join the platform it can be harder to establish a presence.

3. Attention Retention

Social Media marketing remains a viable method of grabbing audience attention. However, recent studies have shown a decrease in awareness retention when compared to other marketing methods.

4. The View from a Blind Eye

As consumers become more familiar with Social Media marketing, they become more adept at turning a blind eye. They are able to tune out unwanted advertisements at an increasingly effective rate, impacting conversions and the efficiency that once championed the platform.

5. Increasing Cost

A steady increase in cost to operate Social Media campaigns is a direct result of their effectiveness. Unfortunately, as previously stated that effectiveness has seen a substantial dip over the past year. Making the cost per conversion closer to direct marketing competitors.

6. Lack of Brand Loyalty

The enamored effect earned by an inspired ad seldom lasts. A recently conducted poll points toward millennial disinterest in brand loyalty. They are inspired by the product of the moment rather than the company behind it.

7. Long-term Promotion

Retaining significant mindshare over a lasting period of time is the goal of every marketing campaign. However, Social Media Marketing is highly susceptible to rapid decreases in efficiency over time. Making long-term promotion an expensive undertaking.

8. Social Media Push-back

2019 has been a historic year of inspired movements gaining momentum. While many great causes have found increased awareness, Social Media marketers should be cautious. Millennials have expressed a desire to move on from prominent social platforms. A troubling development for those relying on the platform as their sole source of marketing.   

9.  The Double-edged Sword, Brand Image

While Social Media Marketing has proven an invaluable tool in the hands of professionals, it can be equally as detrimental to inexperienced users. One mistake can destroy your brand.

10. Tired Marketing Strategy

Social Media marketing runs rampant with copied marketing strategies. Businesses are looking to emulate the success of a competitor by emulating their every move. This practice has led to redundancy within the industry. Utilizing a rinse, wash, repeat template of uninspired marketing methods.

Emerging-ecommerce-trends-that-will-dominate-in-2020

Emerging eCommerce Trends that will Dominate in 2020

by Digital Marketing

eCommerce has exploded in popularity over the last few years as a growing market with exponential potential. As 2019 comes to a close, ushering in a new decade, we found it fitting to set our sights on the future of eCommerce and the trends that will catapult those to the top of their markets. Join us as we predict our 2020 visions.

Subscription model

Subscription models have dominated the eCommerce space. Offering customers, a grouping of products under an umbrella of interest, is not a new concept by any means. However, the use of the subscription model allowed sellers to capture an expanding base of users, from those intrigued by the upcoming delivery and those who forgot they were subscribed. We believe the trend will continue into 2020. 

While incorporating the ever-buzzy internet of things. For those unfamiliar, it is the interaction of electronics into neighboring ecosystems, such as a fridge able to place an online Walmart order. Thereby streamlining the purchasing process while offering consumers the convenience they so desperately crave. The internet of things represents a renewed opportunity to engage with customers on various platforms.

Experts project a significant metric of online sales that will occur on new hardware integration such as cars, appliances, and devices with voice integration. Bridging the intent to purchase with the product used to perform the purchase. Integrated marketplaces utilizing the vast capability of the internet of things.

E-commerce in 2020

eCommerce was popularized by offering products with a personalized touch. Customized products circumvent the competition by leveraging personal interest to increase the value of product rarity. We believe that this point to a future fueled by a personalized approach. 2020 will see an increase in targeted marketing. As more companies adopt a Business to Customer model or B2C, utilizing tracked data to identify purchase intent will become common practice.

Consumers will be directed towards products within their umbrella of interest at an increasing rate, further cementing eCommerce as the industry’s conversion rate champions. This personalized approach will also consolidate the shopping experience. Customers expect retailers to provide a unified transaction process across multiple disciplines. The marketplace will adjust to meet those expectations by integrating channels into a singular touchpoint. 

Customer demands will also be reflected in the representation of products. Today’s consumer is inundated by visual stimulation. Social media platforms reinforce this trend of communication through imagery. We noticed a trend over the past year as more buying power is afforded to millennials engaging in the workforce. A drastic increase in the reliance upon visual product representation continues into 2020 at an alarming rate. Causing eCommerce to adopt a visual-centric approach.

We believe renders and imagery will dictate product sales figures like never before. Positive image reinforcement is a cornerstone of eCommerce and shows no signs of stopping.

73% of consumers will switch from a poorly designed mobile site to one that makes purchasing easier. (Google)

eCommerce as a whole is on the rise making it the opportune time to enter the arena. We hope you put our prophetic visions of the future to good use. May they aid you in unlocking the immense potential that awaits your online store. For all of your eCommerce website development and online marketing needs, look no further. We bid you a very Happy New Year.

MOST-SUCCESSFUL-ONLINE-MARKETING-CAMPAIGNS-OF-2019-

Most Successful Online Marketing Campaigns of 2019

by Digital Marketing

Another year has passed. Events have transpired, some memorable, some less so. Timelines are filled with pictures capturing the gradual passage of time.

Social media feature unfiltered streams of consciousness, spewing forth a healthy blend of opinion with limited facts. The gram is littered with a litany of #ad featuring all manner of products and “experiences”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wrbP-hFRt/

With such a smorgasbord of information bombarding us at a nearly constant rate, we look back at the online marketing campaigns that cut through the noise. Rising to our prestigious title nomination of the Most Successful Online Marketing Campaigns of 2019.

Let’s begin with that cuts close to our hearts. Gillette’s masterful marketing moves have been on the mainstream radar for some time now.

Utilizing the perceived qualities of manhood to sell razors with an ever-increasing about of cool strips and blades, is no simple task. Unlike the simplicity of shaving with a Gillette branded product. This is why the public was taken aback when Gillette used their ideal man imagery as a call to arms with ‘The Best Men Can Be’ campaign.

Imploring the male masses to be better and treat others with the respect they deserve is an aggressive strategy. Well suited to reflect popular movements that gained momentum over the past years, the campaign shot to the foreground of public perception.

However, the campaign caused a significant stir, showered in praise and backlash at near-equal rates. The bold decision paid off with a healthy bump in conversion thanks to a target millennial approach.

An equally thought-provoking strategy was used by beloved chocolate connoisseurs Cadbury. In conjunction with Age UK, they created a campaign that highlighted the loneliness our elders experienced. ‘Donate your Words’ was a moving testament to our propensity for compassion and empathy.

Designed to raise awareness and funds to combat this dreadful isolation, endearing Cadbury to the public and proving they are the true masters of sweetness.

We would be remised without mentioning the masterful follow-up campaign conducted by marketing legends Heineken.

Utilizing their immensely successful ‘Go Places’ campaign to once again claw out a hefty chunk of mindshare with ‘Go Places 2.0’. Embracing the iterative trend so prominent in 2019, Heineken was able to deliver thirty-three stories from the employee perspective. Offering a refreshing beverage with a refreshing amount of transparency.

However, there is one clear winner in 2019. Toting an impressive following with an immensely positive brand image, at a shocking three to one ratio in their favor, Spotify.

Algorithm informed advertising is prominently used throughout the digital marketing industry. Never quite like this. Whether identifying the perfect MEME ‘the _____ for every mood’ campaign’s use of pop culture is astounding.

The proper balance of humor and personalized recommendations endears the platform to users old and new. Who can forget the Laurel or Yanny moment that held the spotlight and cemented Spotify in pop culture? Utilizing tracked data for their #2018Wrapped turned out to be the perfect stepping stone for an unbelievable 2019 pop culture campaign.

Lastly, it is worth noting that our selections primarily feature industry titans with existing brand recognition. However, according to metrics gathered over this past year, small businesses and mid-tier businesses are the true winners of online digital marketing.

Utilizing a reputable digital marketing agency has proven invaluable in capturing potential growth at an unprecedented rate. Skyrocketing brand awareness to previously unattainable heights with ease and efficiency.

The emergence of SEO marketing provides a compelling option with a return on investment well above previous standards. We implore businesses to adopt this effective method of marketing. Who knows, maybe your business could climb to the upper echelon and earn our coveted title of Most Successful Online Marketing Campaign of 2020.

How-to-increase-your-holiday-sales-Griffon-Webstudios

How to Increase Your Holiday Sales?

by Digital Marketing

The air is crisp, possessing an inherent chill. T-shirts are exchanged for jackets. That can mean only one thing. Holiday shopping has arrived. Businesses everywhere rejoice in the uptick in traffic and currency exchanged during this magical time. Celebrating with loyalty programs and enticing deals to encourage audience engagement. Turning potential shoppers into satisfied customers.

With so many companies vying for customer attention it becomes increasingly important to reinforce your presence. Standing out in the crowd as a strong beacon of holiday shopping bliss. Capture and retain your slice of the market with a combination of properly implemented web design and effective marketing to not only increase your presence but bolster your holiday sales.

Web Design

Interacting with customers is crucial in converting potential into sales. The modern age of shopping demands a convenient and comfortable shopping experience. Countless companies spend enormous budgets on digital marketing without addressing the shortcomings of their website. Don’t funnel customers to an outdated portal.

The impact of proper web design cannot be understated. We have all visited storefront websites that are archaic afterthoughts. Leaving an impression of a lesser quality operation without the means to support every avenue of their business. Avoid negative interactions and increase customer enjoyment with cleverly designed web design.

Proper web design also communicates a sense of reliability and trustworthiness to the customer. Establishing a stronger bond between company and consumer is crucial. Achieve more with strategic implementation aimed at aiding customers throughout the process. Exceed the standards of competitors to capture their audience.

Effective Marketing

The landscape of marketing has drastically changed. Digital marketing has emerged as the primary means of increasing traffic and sales. With good reason, over 85% of customers report using online research to aid their purchasing experience.

The modern customer enjoys making informed purchasing decisions. Which favors companies with a strong digital marketing strategy. Marketing companies are powerful tools for business owners, utilizing SEO as an effective method of increasing awareness. Keywords allow a marketing company to target interested parties for significantly higher conversion rates. Leading to an impressive increase in return on investment, a coveted ratio of impact on money spent.

Effective marketing delivers an increased audience that shows an intent to purchase. Window shopping should remain a thing of the past. Converting willing customers offers greater return potential as opposed to traditional targeted ads based on demographics. Value your investment and demand better results.

Increase Your Presence 

Holiday shopping continues its momentous shift in preference for online shopping. Capitalize on the shift by increasing your online presence in a meaningful way. Harness the power of digital marketing to increase awareness and traffic. We recommend identifying a competent Marketing Company to aid you in the process. Grow rapidly utilizing innovative strategies such as search engine optimization.

Incorporate clever web design to maintain a connection with your newly acquired audience. Holiday web designs foster a festive spirit adding to the overall purchasing experience.

Do not leave potential on the table, capture the market and drastically increase your holiday sales. Reach out and construct your holiday plans today.

How-Content-Marketing-Builds-Your-Business

How Content Marketing Builds Your Business?

by Digital Marketing

Success in Modern Business

The concept of success is defined in many ways. In business, success manifests in two primary categories. Profitability and Growth. Many emphasize the former as it directly impacts sustainability, requiring a continuous feed of revenue to continue normal operations.

This leaves the latter considerably underdeveloped leaving substantial growth potential left untouched. In order to truly succeed business must deploy methods that encourage profitability and growth simultaneously.

Necessary Currency

Content Marketing is the solution. A stagnant user base can seal the fate of even the most revolutionary ideas. The adage “if a tree falls alone in the woods, does it make a sound?” seems aptly applicable. The event is elevated by witnesses. This viewership adds value. Users or customers are crucial to establishing a sustainable business. They are the necessary currency.

An increased user-base directly correlates to increased value. There are many methods available, though few have shown as much promise in a condensed timeframe as proper content marketing. Our singular goal is to maximize your growth utilizing content marketing and build a stronger business.

Appropriate Audience

As local SEO experts, we understand the importance of delivering the right content to the appropriate audience. Many competitors rely on overall metrics without out concerning themselves with the viewership they attain. The leads they are providing are simply not actionable.

As an example, imagine approaching an individual shopping for an elegant pair of high heels. You approach this individual with a competitively priced bicycle that is sure to elate a cycling enthusiast.

However much to your chagrin, the individual turns you down alleging that it has been years since they have ridden. Understand that in this instance the product is not at fault rather the selected audience. Content marketing utilizes popular search terms and phrases to deliver the appropriate audience. Presenting customers that have a preexisting interest in the product you provide.

Marketing

Customers want to purchase. Consumer mentality exists as both a byproduct of cultural upbringing and an instinctive borderline primal desire. A desire to have. As product providers, we must understand what separates our products from the competition. We must understand our value proposition and develop a message that supports those claims.

The importance of deploying a properly develop marketing strategy cannot be understated. We rely heavily on the moment to moment stimulation for our decision process. The purchasing process is no different. Operating primarily based on mindshare.

Our experience as a top tier of local SEO provides valuable insights. Displaying our unique ability to deliver time and time again in regard to marketing strategy and developing innovative marketing ideas.

Experience

We provide companies with vital market experience. Operating as a trusted Search Engine Optimization provider, Our knowledge of current infrastructure allows us to offer unparalleled results. Dedicated to delivering the professional experience our partners have come to expect.

Uniquely positioned to provide the necessary tools to significantly impact growth. Harnessing years of experience to realize the entirety of your company’s underlying potential. Together we can achieve.

7-cost-effective-ways-to-market-your-business-online

7 Cost-Effective Ways To Market Your Business Online

by Digital Marketing

When you run a business, every dollar counts! It’s not easy being a business owner, given the amount of responsibility needed to make it successful – not to mention all the money needed to get it off the ground, too.

So saving any money you can save is always appreciated, which is why you’ll definitely need these cost-effective ways to market your business online:

1. Learn the ins and outs of social media

Social media is a great way to gain tons of exposure for your business, but the best part is that it’s free! You can set up your business profiles for nothing and then create ads for however much you can afford to spend. Plus, social media is practically a necessity for all business.

But if you’re going to market your business on social media, learn the ins and outs of the platform to take advantage of all it has to offer.

94% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn as part of their content strategy. Other popular platforms include Twitter (87%), Facebook (84%), YouTube (74%) and Google+ (62%).

2. Create a blog

Another cost-effective way to market your business online is to create a blog. You’ll be able to incorporate keywords, which will get you organic traffic if done properly. This costs nothing, just a bit of time and hard work to create quality content people will want to read.

3. Use SEO for your website

Besides a blog, you’ll want to incorporate SEO into your entire website so that it ranks higher on search engines. By making sure your website is primed for what search engines want, you’ll be able to better market your business.

4. Put out press releases

When your business does something that’s newsworthy, put out a press release. You never know who might be interested and pick up the new! There are also tons of websites out there that you can use to distribute your press release for cheap.

5. Join an online community

Whatever your niche is, find an online community and get involved. By posting on forums, you’ll be able to spread the word about your business.

6. Email marketing

Email marketing is a low-cost way to spread the word about what you’re doing, any promotions and anything else you feel your customers will want to know. By creating a weekly schedule, your customers will anticipate seeing your email in their inbox!

7. Referral Marketing

If your customers find value in what you offer, then they’ll have no problem in referring you to their family and friends. It’s a cheap and effective way to take your online business offline!

How-to-Evaluate-the-Effectiveness-of-your-online-marketing-campaigns

How To Evaluate the Effectiveness Of Your Online Marketing Campaigns?

by Digital Marketing

Online marketing has become a great way to boost your brand awareness and sales, but how do you know if your marketing campaigns are actually working? Knowing how your online marketing campaign is crucial because it will let you know if you’re meeting your marketing goals and expectations (whatever they are).

With no real knowledge of how your online marketing campaigns are doing, you’re wasting time, money and effort. Before you even start your campaign, you’ll need to define a few variables to determine your metrics. This includes your objective, user context, target audience and the like.

Then based on these variables, you’ll be able to create specific call-to-action and associated assets that will yield trackable results. Here are some helpful ways on how to evaluate the effectiveness of your online marketing campaigns:

1. Total Website Visits

One of the easiest ways to track your online marketing campaign’s effectiveness is with how many site visits you got during the time period of the campaign. This will give you a rough idea if the campaign is driving the traffic you expected to your site.

2. Website Traffic By Channels Or Sources

You should be using your online marketing campaign on all your social media channels and any other places you can drive traffic from, such as blogs, forums and the like. To do so, give each source and channel it’s own unique link so that you can track it to see where the most traffic clicks came from.

Using Google metrics like Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools can help you determine where the most traffic came from.

3. Your Site’s Bounce Rate

The bounce rate of your website is the number of users that visit your website and then leave without performing any action. A high bounce rate means that there are flaws in your online marketing tactics.

Either it’s poor campaign targeting, weak landing pages, irrelevant traffic sources and the like. But whatever it is, your bounce rate means there’s a problem in your marketing that needs to be fixed for your next campaign.

4. Online Sales

If your online marketing campaign revolves around a product on your site, the number of online sales will help you figure out if you met your goal or not.

Even if you have brick-and-motor store, you can also track the sales of a particular item you mentioned in your online marketing campaign or see if your sales for the time period increased due to the online marketing campaign you created around more foot traffic.