Most small business owners are becoming increasingly aware of digital business and marketing, and what it means for their own enterprise. However, in such a rapidly changing world, it can be hard to keep abreast of so many changes! We take a look at some of the biggest digital technologies and applications that are currently being talked about within the world of SMEs, and what they can offer to you.
Apps
These nifty little digital tools are basically phone or tablet specific versions of systems, websites or tools that deliver certain functions, content or services to customers. An example could be a mobile friendly version of an ecommerce website, a system to check train times, or a micro-booking programme that allows customers to view a service and book it in real-time.
Apps are generally bespoke to a business and there are hundreds of thousands of them available in total – sold via Apple and Android for smartphone users. Many analysts believe that apps will eventually transform the way that businesses operate and engage with their customers.
SEO
In London SEO is well served by specialist agencies such as elevateuk.com but what exactly is it? SEO refers to Search Engine Optimisation, which is the process of helping search engines such as Bing, Google and Yahoo, find your website and index it favourably for your key terms. Most modern businesses now have a website, but those that want to stay easily searchable -and gain the biggest proportion of online traffic – invest in SEO to ensure they are returned prominently by search engine searches. This means adding regular content with relevant key messages, building a website that can be easily read and indexed by search engines, and delivering other ever-changing strategies that meet the needs of complex search algorithms employed by search engines.
Social media
Few anticipated how vital social media would become to businesses in its early days – but today, most firms are investing heavily in the social media platforms of their choice and spending time developing social marketing strategies that reach customers and prospects in innovative, engaging – and low cost ways.
Social media allows businesses to have meaningful conversations with their customers that are two-way and high value. They can sell products, build their brand and leverage their reputation by visibly having this engagement online, without needing to spend vast amounts of marketing budget in the process. The trick to success lies in having a clear strategy and objective for using social media for business purposes, and having the right platforms for your customer groups. For example, B2C businesses often use Facebook, whereas B2B businesses may prefer LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter to engage with their users.
Remember, if the thought of these emerging technologies strikes fear into your heart rather than excitement, it is well worth speaking to a digital agency who can work with you to devise a digital strategy that supports your broader business goals, and which can deliver true and measurable ROI. These digital agencies also provide specialist digital skillsets, so that you can outsource the portions of work that you prefer to leave to the experts; allowing you to focus on your core business!
