In a world that has rapidly become integrated with technology and social media, small business owners should constantly be looking for ways to use that digital technology to increase revenue. For many, using this technology for advertising has been the primary method of driving sales (think Google AdWords, Facebook and Instagram ads, display network advertising). However, there are other digital-tech strategies you can employ that will help keep your business in the green. Here are four digital-tech strategies that will help your business drive revenue growth.
SMS Tech
Many companies often ask customers for their emails to send them promotions and other savings that can cause them to buy from them. However, many of these emails are often sent to spam folders, where they’re automatically deleted after a period of time. And, if they do manage to make it to your customers’ inboxes, it’s unlikely they will be seriously looked at. On the other hand, SMS services for small businesses can help you reach customers. These services allow you to directly send messages to your customers with the discounts and sales that your company is offering in that given period. A text is a lot harder to ignore than an email, and they may be intrigued by the discounts you’re offering.
Couple Brand with Digital Customer Engagement
It’s also a wise strategy to use the digital space as a place for your customers to engage with your brand. The value of this strategy cannot be overstated, especially in the age of social media influencers. If you sell clothes, for example, your customers can easily help you with marketing. Simply place a page for your business on Twitter, Facebook, or even Instagram. Then, ask your customers to show off your branded clothing when they wear them. This can make customers feel loyal to your brand and enjoy wearing it. This is also a great way to advertise your brand without costing anything.
Advanced Analytics
It once cost a lot of money to figure out marketing trends and what was working and what wasn’t. Now, however, this can be done more affordably with AI-backed analytics. This powerhouse can basically look at the market and tell you where your marketing is succeeding or failing. Such services can usually come up with solutions, too, so you can put your marketing budget in the area that will benefit your company the most. This technology also has the capability of making predictions, giving you a forecast of how consumer preferences will evolve over time.
Connecting with Customers
Digital technology can also offer you a way to speak directly with your customers. Using social media platforms, you can ask for feedback and then listen to what they have to say. They may point out a few soft spots in your business that you need to change in order to keep up with their demands. Using a reporting system can keep track of the high-volume complaints, which can help your employees make the best decisions of where they need to focus their attention. Your customers are perhaps the greatest resource for helping you determine what changes you need to make in your small business. The more you can connect with them directly, the greater the odds of seeing your business succeed.
Running a small business can be difficult, especially in today’s highly competitive market. That said, with these emerging digital-tech strategies, you can help your company stay afloat. And keep in mind that this is by no means a comprehensive list. With digital technologies of all sorts easier to access and use than ever before, you’re sure to expand your customer pool and see revenue growth.
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.