We live in a digital age which means more customers are online and if your business is not actively engaged online, you are missing out on connecting with potential, and current customers.
Today, with more millennials entering the market, companies have to adapt to the way the millennial generation interacts with them. Marketing has changed and successful companies are finding ways to use digital marketing to reach and engage with customers.
If you’re not engaging with your customers online and using social platforms to build and foster relationships, you’re not only failing to reach a wide group of potential customers but are alienating yourself as well. Instead, take time each day to improve your digital marketing efforts to connect with customers.
Here are 4 tools to consider for growing your customer base online:
#1. Social Media
Social media is huge. There are so many platforms out thereâ€"Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Periscope, YouTube (plus much more)â€"that you have an excellent opportunity to interact with both current and prospective customers.
The key, especially when marketing to millennials, is to build authentic relationships and to answer questions and concerns in an appropriate and timely matter. In today’s world, relationships and developing brand loyalty is critical to growing your business.
#2. CRM Software
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is another excellent tool for managing customer data and interactions. This type of software can help companies better track and understand their customer’s spending habits. What is great about using software to better understand your customers, is that it allows you to segment your prospects and customers and run specific promotions and deals for growing your company’s bottom line.
#3. SEO and SEM
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are two ways companies are being found on the internet. By optimizing your website for specific keywords or phrases related to your company’s products and services, and growing your website’s authority, you can attract the right people to your website and increase sales.
Pull your team and stakeholders in, encourage employees to share company blog posts, and find ways to interact with customersâ€"both online and off. The more you can make your customer feel like you care about them, hear their concerns, and empathize with them, the stronger relationships and brand loyalty you’ll be able to build.
#4. Online Reviews
Online reviews have a huge influence on customers. People are going online to read what other people are saying about your product or service. If you’re not actively asking for customers to leave reviews and responding to the negative ones (in a professional manner) you’re missing out on reaching a wider customer base.
In addition to online reviews, customer surveys, and other feedback programs can track key customer metrics for determining what customers think about your business. As you take time to understand your customers better and listen to their concerns, the better and more personalized experience you can give them when they walk into your store or visit your website.
Digital marketing continues to grow and have a huge impact on our lives. With more people going online to research products, read reviews, and support companies they click with, now is the time to get your business engaged with them. We live in an age where customers want to feel valued by the brands they like. Let them know you’re there, listening to them.
Author Bio:
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. Information used in this article on the importance of customer review programs was provided by OpenTell. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
