10 Best Digital Marketing Strategies For Small Business (2023)

If you recently started a small business or want to grow your business, you may be wondering what are the best small business digital marketing strategies.

The best digital marketing strategies for small businesses include:

1. Search engine marketing
2. Local search engine marketing
3. Search engine optimization
4. Video marketing
5. Email marketing
6. Affiliate marketing
7. Social media marketing
8. Influencer marketing
9. Digital event marketing
10. Remarketing

With so many digital marketing strategies available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top digital marketing strategies for small businesses and provide practical tips on implementing them.

We’ve got you covered from search engine marketing to social media marketing, email marketing, video marketing, and more.

So, whether you’re just starting or looking to take your digital marketing efforts to the next level, keep reading to learn how to grow your small business with digital marketing.

#1: Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Search engine marketing (SEM) is a type of digital marketing that involves promoting your website through paid advertising on search engine results pages (SERPs).

SEM is an effective way to increase your website’s visibility and drive targeted traffic to your site.

Why It Works

SEM can be highly effective because it allows you to target specific keywords that are relevant to your business.

When people search for those keywords on Google or other search engines, your ads will appear at the top of the search results.

This means that your business can get in front of potential customers at the exact moment when they’re looking for what you offer.

Best For

SEM is best for small businesses wanting to generate leads or sales quickly.

It’s particularly effective for businesses that have a specific product or service they want to promote.

For example, an e-commerce store selling specialty coffee equipment can use SEM to target keywords like “coffee grinders” or “espresso machines.”

Pros

• SEM can be highly targeted, allowing you to reach your ideal customers when they’re most likely to convert.
• You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, which means you’re not wasting money on people who aren’t interested in your business.
• SEM is measurable, so you can track your results and adjust your strategy as needed.

Cons

• SEM can be expensive, mainly if you’re targeting competitive keywords.
• Creating effective ads that stand out from the competition can also be challenging.
• SEM requires ongoing management to ensure that your campaigns are performing well.
• How to implement it

Steps To Implement

You must create an account with Google Ads (formerly known as Google AdWords) or another search engine advertising platform.

From there, you’ll need to create your ad campaigns, including selecting your target keywords, writing your ad copy, and setting your budget.

It’s essential to continually monitor and adjust your campaigns to ensure you get the best possible results.

In conclusion, SEM is a powerful digital marketing strategy for small businesses looking to generate leads or sales quickly.

While it can be expensive and requires ongoing management, it can be highly effective when done correctly.

Small businesses can use SEM to reach their ideal customers and grow their business by targeting specific keywords and creating compelling ads.

#2: Local Seach Engine Marketing

Local search engine marketing (LSEM) is a type of digital marketing that focuses on promoting your business to local customers through search engines.

This strategy involves optimizing your website, creating content targeting local keywords, and listing your business on local directories and review sites like Yelp and Google My Business.

Why It Works

LSEM is effective because it allows you to target customers who are actively searching for businesses like yours in your local area.

Optimizing your website and creating content targeting local keywords can improve your visibility in local search results and attract more local customers to your business.

Best For

LSEM is best for small businesses that rely on local customers for their business.

This includes businesses like restaurants, salons, gyms, dentists, plumbers, and other local service providers.

Pros

• LSEM is a cost-effective way to reach local customers who are actively looking for businesses like yours.
• Optimizing your website and creating content targeting local keywords can improve your visibility in local search results and attract more local customers to your business.
• You can build your online reputation and attract more local customers by listing your business on local directories and review sites.

Cons

• LSEM can be time-consuming, particularly if you’re optimizing your website for multiple locations.
• It can be difficult to compete with larger businesses that have more resources to invest in LSEM.
• LSEM requires ongoing management to ensure that your website and local listings are up-to-date and accurate.

Steps To Implement

To implement LSEM, you must optimize your website for local search by including local keywords in your content, metadata, and URLs.

You’ll also need to create local listings on directories like Yelp and Google My Business, including accurate information about your business, like your address, phone number, and hours of operation.

Finally, you’ll need to actively manage your online reputation by responding to customer reviews and ensuring that your information is up to date across all of your online listings.

In conclusion, LSEM is a powerful digital marketing strategy for small businesses that rely on local customers for their business.

Optimizing your website and local listings for local search can attract more local customers to your business and build your online reputation.

While it can be time-consuming and requires ongoing management, LSEM is a cost-effective way to reach local customers and grow your business.

#3: Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website and content to improve your visibility and rankings in organic search results.

This involves optimizing your website’s structure, content, and keywords to make it more appealing to search engines like Google and Bing.

Why It Works

SEO is effective because it allows you to reach customers who are actively searching for businesses like yours in organic search results.

Optimizing your website and content for the keywords your customers are searching for can improve your visibility and attract more traffic to your website.

Best For

SEO is best for small businesses that want to increase their online visibility and attract more traffic to their website.

This includes businesses in various industries, including e-commerce, B2B services, and local service providers.

Pros

• SEO is a cost-effective way to attract more traffic to your website and increase your online visibility.
• Optimizing your website and content for keywords can attract highly targeted traffic that is more likely to convert into customers.
• SEO can provide long-term benefits, as your website can continue to attract organic traffic even after you’ve stopped actively promoting it.

Cons

• SEO can be time-consuming, particularly if you’re optimizing your website for multiple keywords and locations.
• Competing with larger businesses with more resources to invest in SEO can be difficult.
• SEO requires ongoing management to ensure that your website and content remain optimized for search engines.

Steps To Implement

To implement SEO, you’ll need to optimize your website’s structure, content, and keywords to make it more appealing to search engines.

This involves conducting keyword research to identify the keywords that your customers are searching for, optimizing your website’s content and metadata to include these keywords, and building backlinks from other websites to improve your website’s authority.

You’ll also need to monitor your website’s performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console and adjust your SEO strategy as needed.

In conclusion, SEO is a powerful digital marketing strategy for small businesses that want to increase their online visibility and attract more traffic to their website.

While it can be time-consuming and requires ongoing management, SEO is a cost-effective way to attract highly targeted traffic and improve your website’s authority in search engine results.

By implementing an effective SEO strategy, you can attract more customers to your business and grow your online presence over time.

Alternatively, check out our SEO services.

#4: Video Marketing

Video marketing is using videos to promote your business and products or services.

This can include creating promotional videos, product demos, explainer videos, and customer testimonials.

Why It Works

Video marketing is effective because it allows you to communicate more engagingly and memorably with your audience.

Videos can help you build trust with your audience, showcase your products or services, and tell your brand story more compellingly than text or images alone.

Best For

Video marketing is best for small businesses that want to showcase their products or services engagingly.

This includes businesses in various industries, including e-commerce, B2B services, and local service providers.

Pros

• Videos can help you build trust with your audience and increase brand awareness.
• Videos can be shared across multiple platforms, including social media and your website, to reach a wider audience.
• Videos can be repurposed for other marketing channels, such as email marketing and advertising.

Cons

• Video production can be expensive and time-consuming, particularly for high-quality videos.
• It can be challenging to create videos that are engaging and memorable.
• Videos require ongoing promotion and distribution to reach your target audience.

Steps To Implement

To implement video marketing, you must create high-quality videos that showcase your products or services and tell your brand story.

This can involve hiring a professional videographer or using tools like video editing software to create your videos.

You’ll also need to promote your videos across multiple platforms, including social media, your website, and email marketing.

This can involve creating a video marketing strategy that outlines your goals, target audience, and distribution channels and tracking your video performance using analytics tools

In conclusion, video marketing is a powerful digital strategy for small businesses that want to showcase their products or services engagingly.

While creating high-quality videos can be expensive and time-consuming, video marketing can help you build trust with your audience, increase brand awareness, and reach a wider audience across multiple platforms.

By implementing an effective video marketing strategy, you can differentiate your business from competitors and attract more customers to your brand.

#5: Email Marketing

Email marketing involves using email to communicate with your audience and promote your business.

This can include newsletters, promotional emails, and abandoned cart emails.

Why It Works

Email marketing is effective because it allows you to communicate directly with your audience in a personalized way.

It’s a cost-effective way to promote your business and build relationships with your customers, and it can be used to drive sales and increase customer loyalty.

Best For

Email marketing is best for small businesses that want to communicate with their customers and build relationships over time.

This includes businesses in various industries, including e-commerce, B2B services, and local service providers.

Pros

• Email marketing is cost-effective and easy to implement.
• Emails can be personalized to increase engagement and conversions.
• Additionally, email marketing can build relationships with your audience and increase customer loyalty.

Cons

• Emails can end up in spam folders if not properly optimized and targeted.
• People receive many emails, so standing out in a crowded inbox can be challenging.
• Email marketing requires ongoing maintenance and list management.

Steps To Implement

To implement email marketing, you must create a list of subscribers who have opted in to receive emails from your business.

This can involve creating a signup form on your website or using social media to promote your email list.

Once you have a list of subscribers, you can create and send targeted emails that are personalized to your audience’s interests and behaviors.

This can involve using email marketing software to create email templates, automate campaigns, and track your email performance.

To optimize your email marketing campaigns, you must test different subject lines, email content, and calls to action to see what resonates best with your audience

In conclusion, email marketing is a powerful digital marketing strategy for small businesses that want to build customer relationships and drive sales over time.

While it requires ongoing maintenance and list management, email marketing is a cost-effective way to communicate directly with your audience and increase customer loyalty.

By implementing an effective email marketing strategy, you can stay top-of-mind with your customers and drive more conversions for your business.

#6: Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy that pays affiliates a commission for each sale or conversion they generate for your business.

This involves partnering with individuals or other businesses who promote your products or services to their audience.

Why It Works

Affiliate marketing is effective because it allows you to leverage the networks of other businesses or individuals to promote your products or services.

This can result in increased brand awareness, traffic, and sales for your business, without large upfront advertising investments.

Best For

Affiliate marketing is best for small businesses that sell products or services online and want to increase their online presence and sales.

This includes e-commerce businesses, software companies, and online service providers.

Pros

• Affiliate marketing is performance-based, meaning you only pay when a sale or conversion occurs.
• You can leverage the audiences of other businesses or individuals to promote your products or services.
• Affiliate marketing can be a cost-effective way to increase brand awareness and sales for your business.

Cons

• Finding the right affiliates can be time-consuming and require ongoing management.
• You must invest in an affiliate tracking software or platform to manage your program.
• You must provide attractive commissions and incentives to incentivize affiliates to promote your products or services.

Steps To Implement

To implement affiliate marketing, you must create an affiliate program and recruit affiliates to promote your products or services.

This can involve creating an application form on your website or reaching out to individuals or businesses who may be interested in promoting your products or services.

Once you have a network of affiliates, you’ll need to provide them with promotional materials, such as banners, product images, and affiliate links.

You’ll also need to track their performance and pay out commissions for any sales or conversions they generate.

To optimize your affiliate marketing program, you must provide competitive commissions and incentives to motivate your affiliates to promote your products or services.

You’ll also need to monitor and manage your program to ensure that it is running smoothly and effectively.

In conclusion, affiliate marketing can be a highly effective digital marketing strategy for small businesses that want to increase their online presence and sales.

While it requires ongoing management and investment, affiliate marketing allows you to leverage the networks of other businesses or individuals to promote your products or services, resulting in increased brand awareness and sales for your business.

By implementing an effective affiliate marketing program, you can create a powerful sales channel and drive more conversions for your business.

#7: Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing involves using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others to promote your products or services, build brand awareness, and engage with your audience.

Why It Works

Social media marketing is effective because it allows you to reach a large audience relatively cheaply.

It also enables you to engage with your audience in real-time, build customer relationships, and gather feedback and insights about your business.

Best For

Social media marketing is best for small businesses with a social media presence and want to build brand awareness, engage with their audience, and drive traffic and sales to their website.

This includes businesses in industries such as e-commerce, hospitality, entertainment, and more.

Pros

• Social media marketing can be cost-effective compared to other advertising methods.
• Social media platforms have extensive audience targeting options, allowing you to reach specific audiences.
• Social media allows you to build a community of followers and engage with your audience in real time.

Cons

• It can be time-consuming to create and manage social media content and campaigns.
• It can be challenging to cut through the noise on social media and stand out from your competitors.
• Social media platforms constantly evolve, and you’ll need to keep up with the latest trends and changes to stay relevant.

Steps To Implement

To implement social media marketing, you’ll need to start by creating profiles on social media platforms relevant to your business.

Once you have profiles set up, you can begin creating and sharing relevant and engaging content with your target audience.

You can also use social media advertising to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website.

Social media advertising allows you to target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.

To be successful with social media marketing, you’ll need to create a content strategy that aligns with your business goals and resonates with your target audience.

You’ll also need to monitor and analyze your social media performance to optimize your strategy and improve your results.

In conclusion, social media marketing can be a highly effective digital marketing strategy for small businesses that want to build brand awareness, engage with their audience, and drive traffic and sales to their website.

While it requires ongoing management and investment, social media marketing allows you to reach a large audience at a relatively low cost and build relationships with your customers.

You can create a solid online presence and grow your business by implementing an effective social media marketing strategy.

#8: Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing involves partnering with individuals with a significant social media following to promote your products or services.

These individuals, or influencers, can be bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers, or any other social media personality with a sizeable following.

Why It Works

Influencer marketing is effective because it allows small businesses to tap into the influencer’s audience and credibility.

By partnering with an influencer who aligns with your brand, you can reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and increase sales. Influencers’ followers often trust and value their opinions, making it an effective way to build brand credibility and trust.

Best For

Influencer marketing is most effective for small businesses in industries where personal connections and recommendations matter.

For example, beauty, fashion, health, wellness, and food industries are ideal for influencer marketing.

However, it can be effective for any business that wants to reach a wider audience and build brand awareness.

Pros

• Increased brand awareness and reach
• Credibility and trust-building
• Effective targeting of specific audience segments
• Cost-effective compared to traditional advertising
• Ability to track and analyze the success of campaigns

Cons

• Difficulty in finding the right influencer to partner with
• Potentially high costs, depending on the influencer’s following and popularity
• Limited control over the messaging and content produced by the influencer
• Influencer’s credibility may be questioned if they promote too many products

Steps To Implement

To implement influencer marketing, first, identify your target audience and the type of influencer that would resonate with them.

Then, research and identify potential influencers who align with your brand and have a following that matches your target audience.

Reach out to them with a proposal for a partnership, outlining what you want to achieve and what you can offer in return.

Ensure that you provide clear guidelines for the messaging and content you expect the influencer to produce and set clear expectations for the duration of the partnership.

It’s also essential to track and analyze the success of your campaign to ensure that you’re getting a return on investment.

#9: Digital Event Marketing

Digital event marketing involves promoting and hosting virtual events, such as webinars, live streams, conferences, or product launches, to connect with your audience and promote your business.

Why It Works

Digital event marketing is effective because it allows you to reach a wider audience beyond your local area, reduces costs associated with traditional event marketing, and provides opportunities for engaging with your audience in real time, fostering brand loyalty and driving sales.

Best For

Digital event marketing can be effective for many small businesses, particularly those in the B2B sector, such as software, finance, and consulting companies.

However, it can also benefit B2C companies in the fashion, beauty, and entertainment sectors.

Pros

• Digital event marketing enables businesses to reach a wider audience, particularly those that are geographically dispersed or unable to attend in-person events.
• Digital events allow you to engage with your audience in real time, providing a more personalized and immersive experience.
• It’s more cost-effective than traditional event marketing, which requires venues, catering, and travel costs.

Cons

• Technical difficulties can disrupt or interfere with the event, causing negative feedback from attendees.
• Audience engagement can be lower than with in-person events, mainly if attendees are not actively engaged.
• Generating leads or driving sales can be challenging without a clear call-to-action or follow-up strategy.

Steps To Implement

To implement digital event marketing, you must choose the right platform to host your events, such as Zoom, WebEx, or Microsoft Teams.

Once you have selected your platform, you can start promoting your event using email marketing, social media, and other digital channels.

You can also collaborate with partners or sponsors to help promote your event and increase its reach.

During the event, make sure to engage with your audience by answering questions, soliciting feedback, and providing valuable content that aligns with your business objectives.

To ensure the event’s success, you should follow up with attendees with a clear call to action, such as a product demo, consultation, or a special offer.

Also, you can evaluate your event’s success by analyzing key metrics such as attendance, engagement, and conversion rates.

In conclusion, digital event marketing is a cost-effective and efficient way to reach a wider audience, promote your business, and engage with your audience in real time.

You can maximize your ROI and grow your business by choosing the right platform and promoting your event using various digital channels.

#10: Remarketing

Remarketing is a digital marketing strategy that shows ads to people who have previously interacted with your website, products, or services.

These ads can be displayed on digital channels like Google, Facebook, or other websites.

What it is

Remarketing, also known as retargeting, works by using cookies to track user behavior and display personalized ads to them based on their previous actions on your website.

For example, if a user visits your website but doesn’t make a purchase, you can show them ads for the same product or a related product to encourage them to complete the purchase.

Why It Works

Remarketing is effective because it targets users who have already shown an interest in your business, increasing the chances of conversion.

It also helps to reinforce your brand message, improves brand recall, and generates higher click-through rates than regular display ads.

Best For

Remarketing is adequate for most small businesses with an online presence, including e-commerce, B2B, and service-based businesses.

It’s particularly useful for businesses with longer sales cycles or high-value products or services.

Pros

• It targets users who have shown interest in your business, increasing the chances of conversion.
• It reinforces your brand message, improves brand recall, and generates higher click-through rates than regular display ads.
• It’s cost-effective, as you’re only paying for clicks or impressions, depending on your ad platform.

Cons

• Some users perceive it as invasive or creepy, leading to negative feedback.
• It requires a significant amount of website traffic to be effective, as it relies on cookies to track user behavior.
• It can be challenging to measure the impact of remarketing on overall business goals, such as revenue or customer acquisition.

Steps To Implement

To implement remarketing, you must install a tracking code or pixel on your website to capture user behavior data.

You can then use this data to create targeted ads on various digital channels such as Google, Facebook, or other websites.

When creating your ads, make sure to use compelling copy and visuals that align with your brand message and target audience.

To create more personalized ads, you can also segment your audience based on their behavior, such as those who have abandoned a cart or viewed a specific product.

To measure the impact of your remarketing campaign, track key metrics such as click-through rate, conversion rate, and cost per acquisition.

You can then use this data to optimize your campaign and improve its effectiveness over time.

In conclusion, remarketing is a powerful digital marketing strategy that targets users who have already shown an interest in your business, improving the chances of conversion and reinforcing your brand message.

You can implement an effective remarketing campaign and drive business growth by installing tracking codes, creating targeted ads, and tracking key metrics.

How Does Online Marketing Help Small Businesses?

Online marketing can be incredibly beneficial for small businesses in several ways:

1. Increased Visibility: Online marketing allows small businesses to increase their visibility and reach a larger audience through various digital channels such as social media, search engines, email marketing, and online advertising.
2. Cost-Effective: Unlike traditional marketing channels, online marketing can be more cost-effective for small businesses, especially those with limited budgets. With tools like email marketing and social media, small businesses can reach a wider audience without spending much money.
3. Targeted Marketing: Online marketing allows small businesses to target specific groups of people based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. This enables small businesses to focus their marketing efforts on the people most likely to be interested in their products or services.
4. Increased Engagement: Online marketing can help small businesses to build stronger relationships with their customers through social media, email marketing, and other digital channels. By engaging with their customers online, small businesses can foster trust and loyalty, ultimately leading to increased sales and customer retention.
5. Data-Driven Insights: Online marketing provides small businesses valuable data and insights into their customers’ behaviors and preferences. This data can be used to improve marketing strategies, optimize campaigns, and make data-driven decisions to drive growth and success.

Overall, online marketing can help small businesses level the playing field with larger competitors, increase brand awareness, and reach new customers while maximizing their marketing budgets and resources.

Conclusion: Small Business Digital Marketing Strategies

In conclusion, digital marketing is crucial for small businesses to reach their target audience, generate leads, and increase revenue.

By implementing the right digital marketing strategies, small businesses can level the playing field with larger competitors and achieve their business goals.

From search engine marketing and search engine optimization to email marketing, video marketing, social media marketing, affiliate marketing, digital event marketing, and remarketing, there are various digital marketing strategies to choose from.

However, it’s important to remember that not all strategies will work for every small business. Identifying your business goals, target audience, and budget is essential before choosing which strategies to implement.

We hope this blog post has provided valuable insights into the top digital marketing strategies for small businesses and how to implement them.

Remember, digital marketing is an ongoing process, and it’s essential to continually monitor and analyze your results to optimize your strategies.

So, start implementing these digital marketing strategies today, and watch your small business grow!

Digital marketing strategies for small businesses include:

1. Search engine marketing
2. Local search engine marketing
3. Search engine optimization
4. Video marketing
5. Email marketing
6. Affiliate marketing
7. Social media marketing
8. Influencer marketing
9. Digital event marketing
10. Remarketing

Ready to grow your small business with Samantha Digital? Check out our digital marketing services for small businesses today.