Digital Marketing for Des Moines and Beyond

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There are over 32 million small businesses in the United States, and Greater Des Moines (DSM) fosters an entrepreneurial community built on a growth mindset. Seventy to 80% of job opportunities in the area can be attributed to small businesses.

Whether you’re trying to build your business locally and attract a larger audience or you want to grow your brick-and-mortar store to reach global markets, one of the best ways to accomplish your goals is with digital marketing.

Even if you’re staying local with your efforts, digital marketing can help you reach more people, establish your brand and place your business at the forefront of people’s minds when they have a specific need. There are several ways to make the most of your digital marketing efforts within DSM and across the globe.

Expanding Your Reach

One of the biggest benefits of digital marketing is how quickly and effectively it can expand your audience. Even if you’re solely based in DSM and don’t want to grow globally, there are undoubtedly still people within the region who haven’t yet heard of your business or taken the time to learn about you. Having an online presence also signals to search engines that you are legitimate in your area of expertise — thus, providing the opportunity to rank higher in search results even for local customers.

Start by making sure your website is getting people to “stick” to your retail store or service. The average consumer will only look at a web page for a few seconds before deciding whether to stay there or not. You can make your site more appealing by:

• Boosting user experience (UX);
• Sending personalized communication;
• Enhancing your brand image;
• Posting relevant content.

Your digital presence can serve as a gateway to your brick-and-mortar store or book your services. It’s a great way for your audience to learn more about you and what your brand stands for, so make sure you’re dedicating time and effort to regularly updating your site.

Utilizing Word-of-Mouth Advertising

It’s not uncommon for small businesses to have limited budgets. You might not be able to spend a lot on traditional advertising methods like billboards or commercials. That’s another benefit of digital marketing — you don’t have to have an expansive marketing budget to make a difference.

You can even capitalize on word-of-mouth advertising on digital platforms by asking your customers/clients for reviews. The more positive things people say about your business, the easier it will be to draw new customers in. You can help to ensure your clients are satisfied by providing omnichannel support, creating a vibrant company culture and taking action when it comes to negative reviews.

Digital word-of-mouth advertising can be just as effective as people recommending your business in person, so make sure you’re doing what you can to boost customer satisfaction, asking for reviews and feedback as often as possible.

Get Social

Speaking of word-of-mouth advertising, one of the best ways to get people talking is to utilize social media. Getting involved on a variety of social media platforms will make it easier to connect with your audience locally and on a larger scale. You’ll be able to showcase the best market your small business by emphasizing your brand’s best qualities, including:

• What makes you different;
• How you’re serving your community;
• What you’re doing to listen to locals;
• How you’re investing in your audience.

Social media provides the opportunity to get creative, show the human side of your brand, and foster real connections with your followers and customers.

There are so many ways to have fun with social media while building trust and customer loyalty. Post pictures and videos, share relevant content and let people see what your brand is really about by engaging with them on a daily basis. Answer questions, join discussions, or go live with a behind-the-scenes look at your business. Now more than ever, consumers want relationships with the brands they trust. That’s especially true when it comes to a local business.

These are just a few suggestions that can get you started in the digital marketing world. It’s easier than you might think, cost-effective and one of the fastest and most efficient ways to build both a local and global audience depending on your goals. If you’re not familiar with digital marketing strategies or want to make sure you’re starting off on the right foot, consider working with a digital marketing agency in Des Moines to get started. You can find all the resources you need to get started at the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Looking for tools to help grow your startup or small business? Visit the Small Business Resources Hub to find the information you need or sign up for Mentor Connection to build relationships with a trusted group of mentors.