Let’s face it. This year has been difficult for many businesses as we navigate closures for social distancing, changes in demand, and so much more. While some companies have had to close their doors, others are seeing massive success. Why the big difference?
Well, those who already had a way to connect with customers virtually and understood the value of digital marketing fared far better than those that didn’t when social distancing guidelines went into place. With the potential threat of an increase in COVID-19 cases, that means that companies without a strong online presence now need to make changes immediately to protect their future. Here are a few reasons why now is the best time to invest in digital marketing.
A Reliable Website Helps Make Virtual Contact with Customers Easier
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there were a ton of B2B businesses that weren’t quite ready. Some didn’t have websites and others had no way for customers to order or view product catalogs online. Furthermore, there were even companies who had zero digital presence and relied solely on face-to-face sales to move inventory.
This is where having a reliable website makes staying in touch with current and potential customers much easier. Not only can you accept orders and showcase product inventory, you can also make it simple for customers to schedule a Zoom or telephone call without having to send a flurry of emails back and forth. In the end, this is much more convenient for everyone and allows you to keep working even if you can’t handle business as usual.
Social Media Websites Are Still Going (and Getting More Traffic)
But, what if you already have a website? Should you continue to market your business online? The answer is a definite yes, as now is one of the most successful times for businesses to leverage a digital marketing strategy and take advantage of tactics such as pay-per-click advertising.
What’s the reason behind this? People are bored, and they are spending a whole lot more time on social media. This means that they are also seeing paid ads more frequently which can be highly beneficial for the businesses still opting to run them. While this can be a little more complicated for B2B businesses, platforms like LinkedIn are thriving in the way of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it easy to reach out to leads.
Word of Mouth is Limited
In some areas, social distancing is making word-of-mouth advertising difficult. After all, you can’t sit down for lunch with a colleague or friend and talk about which vendor or service provider you recommend for a specific need.
With a solid digital marketing plan, the ability to spread the word about your business is still there. Not only can you reach your target audience through carefully curated content for your social media marketing, but you can also interact with them directly by asking for likes, shares, and comments.
Don’t Discount the Value of Digital Marketing
In conclusion, it is important to not discount the value of digital marketing as we continue through these truly unprecedented times. If your business isn’t currently investing in a quality website or paid advertising, now is an ideal time to start before any future waves of pandemic shutdowns arise.
