Navigating Local SEO in NYC

Navigating Local SEO in NYC: Tactics to Boost Your Business’s Online Visibility

New York City and the surrounding boroughs are full of constant life. Endless businesses are popping up daily that you must compete with to snag as much local online traffic as possible. Standing out in this crowd requires refined local SEO NYC techniques our team at Griffon Webstudios has spent years developing, evolving, and implementing.

While you want to have a system that adapts to your target audience’s current trends and keyword research, you can use some fundamental tips to get started. First and foremost is using local SEO. Stop trying to capture a larger audience through generalized terms like “corner bookstore” and go for local infusions like “local bookstore in Brooklyn, NY.

Local SEO- Google My Business

Next, you’ll want to optimize your organization’s Google My Business (GMB) page. Like it or not, Google is the top dog in the search engine world. You must have a business profile that lists your accurate address and contact information and links back to your website and/or social media. It helps if you have your business hours and as many positive user reviews as well.

Now that you’ve established your online presence dig deeper into keyword research. Try to find those niche, local keyword phrases others are not using. For example, while it may not seem the best grammar, using terms like “Manhattan coffee shop near me” goes a long way to increasing local traffic from people on their mobile phones trying to get a cup of Joe.

On-page SEO will also need to be updated. Every single one of your web pages, from your Contact Us page to your FAQ should have a target keyword phrase with primary, secondary, and supportive terms. Be sure these are used throughout your titles, headers, and content (don’t forget the image alt-tags!).

Building High Quality Links

No matter what, link building is going to be one of the best ways to boost your local SEO NYC tactics. However, you can skip the broad directories from international sites and go for more local connections. Reach out to fellow businesses, sponsors, clients, and stakeholders in the NYC area to link back to your site. That collaboration and endorsement go a long way to enhancing your SERP (search engine rank position).

While you’re cultivating those local backlinks, ask for reviews from previous clients. The more UGC (user generated content) you have supporting your business, the more you will establish your organization as an authority in your niche. This is precisely what you need to establish trust in your reputation as an expert or “highly sought after” provider of your goods and services.

A Mobile Responsive Website

Everything must be mobile responsive. A good local SEO NYC website is one that can be quickly looked up from any location throughout the city. There are so many tourists and diverse residents that you want them to be able to reach your site no matter if they are hanging out in their kitchens, riding the subway, or walking around Central Park.

Quality local SEO NYC strategies are going to come down to consistency and adaptability. Do your research and be sure your NAP citations are the same at every customer touchpoint. These are the Name, Address, and Phone Number of your business used on your website, GMB, social media, and anything else.

Finally, don’t be afraid to share some local stories. Tailor your content so that it directly targets your local audience. Use the terms and insights you know they appreciate. This will also lead to more authenticity of your business so when they do land on your site, they know you are NYC proud – through and through.

Give us a call at Griffon Webstudios for more fantastic insights into the local SEO NYC world. We thrive in the endless change of NYC and can help you establish a strong SEO foundation to build upon year after year.

 

Revolutionizing Customer Engagement in Online Marketing

The Rise of Chatbots in Online Marketing

Introduction:

We are all aware of the technological advancements in today’s world that are making day-to-day tasks more manageable for us, one of which is the rise of Chatbots. Powered by AI software, chatbots, also called conversational robots, are hugely important to the online marketing industry. 

Due to their super fast learning capabilities and 24/7 availability, Chatbots are helping brands rebuild how they interact with customers. In today’s modern world, where effective communication and time management are essential, Chatbots help us fulfill these factors with their advanced features. 

Chatbots are of different types; brands can use chatbots that follow simple rule-based systems with a set of defined instructions ranging from advanced systems that can learn and improve from customer interactions with time, providing us with valuable and personalized information.

 

Photo by Google DeepMind: https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-artist-s-illustration-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-this-illustration-depicts-language-models-which-generate-text-it-was-created-by-wes-cockx-as-part-of-the-visualising-ai-project-l-18069695/

As we all know, one of the most critical factors that signifies the growth of an organization is having an excellent online presence, serving your customers spontaneously, and having good engagement with your potential and existing customers. But handling too many clients can be difficult, right? Here’s where Chatbot comes to the rescue.

This article will discuss the importance of Chatbots and customer engagement in online marketing.

Definition and evolution:

Chatbot marketing uses computer programs to automate conversations with prospects and consumers on your website or app to generate sales.

Basic Chatbot: 

This is the very first Chatbot, which was introduced in the year 1966. Today, this chatbox is still being used by a few organizations. They lack NLP, so they work with predefined questions and target keywords to which they can give solutions based on user interactions.

Conversational agents:

The introduction to advanced machine language (ML) paved the way for this to come to use in 2010. Conversational agents are advanced compared to the previous type. With the help of NLP and ML, they can learn from previous conversations and perform voice- and text-based tasks. They can also answer your customer’s questions more accurately than the primary chatbot type.

Generative AI Chatbots:

This Chatbot came into existence with the advancement of Transformer neural networks and large language models (LLMs). Jasper AI, Chat GPT, and Bard are Generative AI Chatbots. Advancements in ML and NLP led to the development of this Chatbot, which can help them understand and process customer interactions more efficiently based on their past interactions.

Many help desk and customer support use this Chatbot to curate emails according to customer preferences. Chatbots are generally very helpful, but this type of Chatbot has been helping brands get innovative and more personalized with how they connect with their clients.

Key role in Customer Engagement:

We all know engaging with your customers has been essential since traditional advertising days. However, digital marketing widely differs from conventional advertising methods. 

One of the most important strategies is to gain customer engagement in online marketing platforms. Does Chatbot fulfill that criterion? Let us have a look. 

Let’s assume you buy a makeup product from an online website. You later face issues with the product you purchased or would like to return the product and repurchase a new one. You can’t get them when you try to contact the customer executive due to the unavailability of time slots. Isn’t it frustrating from a customer perspective? 

On the other hand, it can be challenging for brands to get in touch with their customers as soon as they receive a complaint because sometimes brands may have to answer many customer queries.

Here’s where the Chatbot comes to the rescue. 

With the help of the Chatbot as a customer, you can get instant customized replies according to your interaction; the Chatbot will communicate with you. You can get instant recommendations and feedback from other customers on the products you are looking to purchase. You can also get help from the Chatbot with troubleshooting errors you have been facing while on the website. 

Installing precisely detailed information is one of the best ways to gain customer engagement in any online marketplace. Additionally, it’s a plus since generative Chatbots can have human-like interactions, which makes the conversation even better.

Benefits of chatbots in online marketing:

We all know chatbots are very helpful for all of us, whether you are a student, an employee, or an employer. We have listed the three most essential benefits of chatbots in online marketing.

With the advancement of technology in NLP and ML, chatbots can adapt how they communicate with each customer according to their interactions, making it more personalized and easier.

Cost-effectiveness: 

Business can save their cost by hiring more employees for customer support. Providing solutions to multiple customers accurately throughout the day can be a hectic task for human beings. This can be eliminated with the help of Chatbots.

Scalability: 

We can all admit that answering precisely and quickly can be very difficult. Chatbots provide flexibility and scalability to brands by operating quickly and efficiently with the growing customer base. 

Language: 

Nowadays, users can communicate with Chatbots in their preferred language, breaking the communication barrier. During the beginning of the conversation, users should select their desired language to proceed further, and Chatbot will communicate via text or voice based on users’ preferences.

24/7 customer support:

People often face issues related to waiting time, globally differing time zones, and fast replies at all times. With the help of Chatbots, we can eliminate all these issues. 

They provide 24/7 support, and with their help, customers get instant solutions and customized interactions with the chatbots based on their conversations. Advanced chatbots like Generative can adapt and learn more about client interactions with the help of NLP, the leading technology behind it.

 Brands can reply to consumers spontaneously, which can be a hectic manual task. Customers worldwide can reach out anytime according to their preferred timings, and Chatbot handles it all, providing 24/7 customer support.

Personalization and experience:

Customers may need help with various issues when they are purchasing online. It could be related to finding recommendations from the items available on your website, troubleshooting a problem, or simply requiring more information about a specific product.

Using the analysis techniques based on a client’s browsing history, previous purchases, interactions, and provided feedback, Chatbot adapts and solves the user query in no time. 

Chatbots also interact using the consumers’ names, helping them feel more connected to the brand.

Lead generation and data collection:

Lead-generation Chatbots are highly efficient in holding fluent conversations, enabling the customers to stay connected without leaving the site. We know that the conversational approach is constructive when it comes to understanding customers’ requirements; this can be achieved with the help of lead-generation chatbots.

They offer many flexible options through which the customers can navigate and select their desired choices, which will help the Chatbot collect valuable customer data. Through the gathered information from the visitors, the marketing team can approach their prospective and potential customers, create more strategies that will help them achieve more sales, and recognize areas that require more improvement.

With the help of lead-generation chatbots, your website visitors can also be converted into customers. 

Social media integration:

As we all know, social media is vital in the e-commerce market. Brands on various social media platforms like Instagram, FaceBook, and YouTube have used chatbots. Integrating social media has its benefits, such as:

    • Chatbots send live updates/notifications to your customers.
    • It is more straightforward to connect with more clients from different social media platforms
    • Builds community
    • Creates social media campaigns that are creative and attractive
    • Users can easily purchase through social media platforms
    • Targets trends, curates creative content, and schedules posts, making it easier for the social media team

Analytics and insights:

Last, we cannot wrap the blog without discussing this critical factor: Chatbot’s Analytics and Insights.

Yes, chatbots can be very beneficial to the sales and marketing team because they collect user data and essential information from the customer using an interactive conversational method. Every time a customer reaches out, the Chatbot gathers information such as their name, products they are interested in, geographic location, etc.

In the analytics and insights section, you’ll also see customer ratings based on their satisfaction, feedback, the interactive flow of the conversation, the frequency of visitors, and gender.

69% of consumers were satisfied with their last interaction with a chatbot, with 21% remaining neutral and 10% unsatisfied.

Some brands develop a predefined set of questions that will be asked at the end of each conversation. Users have to choose and click their answers from the list of questions or options that appear. 

Marketers and sales teams can identify and plot strategies with the data collected from this section.

Challenges, ethics, and future trends:

Although chatbots have significantly grown over the past few years, one of the most important abilities it lacks is having a human-like conversation, which is one of the biggest challenges.

Don’t get us wrong, Chatbots have been advancing with the help of new technologies and advancements. It’s still growing and has yet to fulfill its main requirement: to converse with a consumer, a human being. But we must admit that Chatbot’s latest version is still better than the basic one.

Now let’s discuss ethics; in the previous section, we discussed Analytics and Insights, which make it clear that Chatbot stores your data, such as interactions, personal information, and feedback, yesterday. Although this data is essential for the brand, customers should know where it will be stored.

A pop-up box should appear, stating that their data will be collected before they interact with the chatbox. This way, they can either choose to proceed further or not. This transparency is essential between a brand and its consumers, especially in this generation where privacy plays an important role.

Chatbot is developing day by day, and it’s still in the learning and growing phase. Innovations should be introduced, and with the help of NLP, chatbots are already getting better at understanding complex information. 2024 will have chatbots better at initiating conversations more naturally with even better adaptability. 

Customer Segmentation using ML algorithms

Customer Segmentation using ML algorithms

At Griffon Webstudios, we pride ourselves on remaining on the cutting-edge line of new technologies. We know the value of staying ahead of the general marketplace to ensure all our clients get the competitive advantages needed for better potential leads and branding.

One of the best ways to ensure you are squeezing every ounce of effort out of your marketing channels is through customer segmentation. For decades, marketers have known placing people in different segments based on their needs is beneficial, but now we can streamline this process for more effective results using machine learning.

We’re going to dip our toes into the world of high-end automation and try to explain how blending these two efforts together can transform your business results.

What is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning, or ML, is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on developing algorithms to learn and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed. ML algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns, make predictions, and automate tasks. In the context of customer segmentation, ML algorithms enable marketers to extract valuable insights from customer data, leading to more accurate and targeted segmentation.

What is Customer Segmentation?

Customer segmentation is the process of dividing a customer base into distinct groups based on specific characteristics. These characteristics can include demographics, needs, preferences, behavior, and purchasing patterns. By segmenting customers, businesses can better understand their target audience, personalize marketing messages, and allocate resources effectively. Want a fun trip? Go ask Google or Facebook for your customer data, and you will learn what kind of segments you’ve been put into for their ad services.

How Do You Blend the Two?

Step 1: Place Customers in Clusters Based on Needs & Demographics

ML algorithms analyze customer data to identify patterns and similarities. By grouping customers with similar characteristics into clusters, businesses can gain insights into their various needs, preferences, and behaviors. Clusters can be defined based on factors such as age, location, spending budget, or any other relevant attribute. This initial step sets the foundation for effective segmentation.

Step 2: Target Clusters with Campaigns Based on Data-Driven Results

Once customers are placed in clusters, businesses can design targeted marketing campaigns tailored to each cluster’s specific characteristics. By leveraging the insights gained from ML algorithms, marketers can create messages, offers, and experiences that resonate with each cluster’s preferences and needs. This data-driven approach increases the chances of campaign success and drives efficiency in marketing efforts.

Step 3: Adjust Marketing Campaigns for Segment Needs

Customer segmentation is not a one-time process. ML algorithms continuously analyze customer data, providing real-time insights into changing preferences and behaviors. Marketers can use this information to refine and adjust their marketing campaigns to better meet the evolving needs of each segment. This iterative approach ensures ongoing efficiency in marketing strategies.

Step 4: Rinse & Repeat for any Marketing Effort

The beauty of ML algorithms in customer segmentation lies in their adaptability and scalability. These algorithms can be applied to various marketing efforts, from product launches to promotional campaigns. By repeating the segmentation process and targeting specific clusters, businesses can consistently drive efficiency and improve their marketing outcomes.

$31,36 billion is the projected global machine learning platforms market size by 2028. (Proficient Market Insights)

Hopefully, that wasn’t too full of tech speak to get the point across. To put it as simply as possible, using ML allows you to better segment your target audience so you can adjust ads, emails, visuals, and promotions to their specific needs.

You wouldn’t want to send a Christmas promotion to users in February, much like you wouldn’t target an email meant for grandparents to consumers just out of college. It is all about finding how to best reach the clients most likely to interact with your brand through the proper marketing channels.

Still confused? No problem! Let’s schedule a time to sit down and discuss how our team at Griffon Webstudios can help revolutionize your marketing efforts through automation tools like ML. You never know when a simple tweak to your systems can lead to massive potential profits.

 

marketing trends for SMEs

10 Digital Marketing Trends for Small Business

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.