Picking and choosing between marketing services can feel like trying to find your way through a maze—one minute you think you’ve figured it out, and the next you’re completely lost and second-guessing your decision. With so many options swirling around, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! Lots of our potential customers ask us: if I can only choose one marketing service, what should I pick?
Let’s break down how to choose a digital marketing service and find the perfect fit for your needs.
Your Digital Storefront Comes First
Imagine your website as the hub of a bike wheel. Similar to how that central hub holds everything together and enables the wheel to spin smoothly, your website is the critical foundation for all your marketing efforts. It’s your digital storefront.
Before venturing into other marketing services, we strongly recommend ensuring your website is functional, up-to-date, and optimized for conversions.
A well-designed, user-friendly website provides a sturdy base for all your activities—whether it’s social media, email campaigns, or paid ads. Plus, investing in a high-quality website and regular maintenance will yield the best return on investment. If you don’t have the budget for multiple marketing services, focus on your website first.
Analyze Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Already have a solid website but unsure of how to choose between other digital marketing services? Take a step back and analyze your current efforts. Consider the following questions:
- What services are working well for you?
- What services could use some improvement?
- What medium are you most comfortable with?
- Which marketing services align with your target audience?
- Which services are popular among your competitors?
As a business owner, you know your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else. Use that self-awareness to guide your decision on how to choose your digital marketing services.
Where Is Your Business At In Its Lifecycle?
The stage of your business can also determine which marketing services to focus on. Are you a new startup looking to attract customers or an established company looking to maintain customer loyalty?
I Need Customers Right Away
If you’re barely starting and need to build your customer base quickly, you need a “drive-thru” approach—something fast and easy. Advertise to potential customers who are already looking for the products or services you offer. Consider paid search ads, where you only pay when someone clicks on your ad and you can target specific keywords related to your business.
I Have Time to Build a Following
If you have the patience to cultivate a slower-growing garden, choose an organic approach. Develop valuable, impactful content that enhances your brand’s authority and gradually attracts potential customers. Organic social media, content marketing, and SEO strategies will net loyal, engaged customers and position you as an industry leader over time. With time, you’ll eventually get free leads rolling in.
Where Is Your Target Audience? Now Go Get ‘Em
Knowing your target audience is crucial to any successful marketing effort and choosing the right digital marketing services. Where do your customers congregate? Focus on communicating with clients where they are and doing it better than your competitors.
For example, if your target audience is primarily active on Instagram, you’ll want to invest your resources into creating engaging, visually appealing content for that platform. Follow your audience and ensure you’re reaching them effectively and efficiently.
If Nothing Else, Answer Your Customers’ Questions
If reading this article is causing you panic about how much you have to do or spend, take a deep breath. No matter how you choose your digital marketing services, the common thread among all successful campaigns is providing value to your customers.
If your ultimate focus is answering your customers’ questions and addressing their pain points, you’re heading in the right direction. If your website is completed and conversion-ready, use your medium of choice to answer your client’s top 10 questions or misconceptions about your industry.
This strategy has seen success for many businesses, as proven in the best-selling book They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan. The more you establish yourself as a trusted resource, the sooner you’ll see results.
Let’s Chat About How Lemonade Stand Can Help You Shine
No matter how you choose your digital marketing services, the key is staying consistent. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results immediately, and if you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, Lemonade Stand is here to help.
As a professional digital marketing agency, we offer the whole shebang—website design, content marketing, SEO, social media management, and more. Drop us a line at Lemonade Stand and let’s chat about how we can help!
