What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Digital Marketing?

The Lasting Advantages of Investing in Digital Marketing 

So, you’ve decided to see for yourself if digital marketing is all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe you keep seeing the same names on top of the Google results when you’re looking for a service. Or, maybe another business owner has been telling you how good their company’s been doing since they made the move to digital marketing. You’re unsure if that’s the next move you should take for your business? The short answer is yes.

The long answer: you bet it is, especially if you’re looking for long-term results. Digital marketing is all about taking small actions for the bigger picture. The kicker? Those actions pay off for a long time down the line. Let’s break it down.

Digital marketing uses tools available online—search engine, your website, social media and more – to help your business reach those who need it most, so you can work your magic and turn them into happy, paying customers.

What Are the Key Components of Digital Marketing?

We’ll go over the main platforms and tools and tell you what role they play in improving your business’ online presence.

What Do We Mean by Long-Term Results?

How exactly do these tools and strategies help long-term? That’s what we’ll cover here. You’ll know all about the benefits that come from each digital marketing platform.

Whether you want to broaden your customer base or get direct feedback from existing clients to know just what product to sell more of or what service to highlight, there’s a way to achieve that with digital marketing. Keep reading to see what we mean.

What Exactly is Digital Marketing?

Let’s Break Down Digital Marketing

Think of digital marketing like the essential tools in your toolbox—each one is designed to help your business stand out, exactly where your customers need you.

With tools like a professional website, SEO, and pay-per-click advertising, folks can find you right when they’re looking for the services you offer. For SMBs owners like you, getting the hang of digital marketing helps you react quickly to what your customers are doing, changes in the market, and even big economic swings.

A sudden boom in home renovations? A drop in demand during the off-season? No problem, you can just adjust your messaging and ads to reach the right people at the right time.

Digital Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing

There’s no denying the genuine appeal of traditional marketing methods like ads in local papers, on TV, on the radio, and more. It’s a good way to get your message across and make sure people know about your business. But ask yourself, who are you really speaking to?

One of traditional marketing's biggest downsides is its lack of targeting. Why should you waste your limited resources to spend money on ads that some people won’t even pay attention to? Think of it that way: you’ve paid a hefty amount for a TV ad for your car waxing services, however a large number of people watching that ad don’t own a car.

With digital marketing, your services only reach people who are actively looking for it. Someone typing “car waxing” on Google would find you directly, either because of your Google Ads or because you’re ranking high on the search results. That way, you know the money you’re investing in your marketing is being spent in the right places.

Sounds good? It gets even better, read on.

What Are the Key Components of Digital Marketing 

Get to Know Some of the Major Players

We quickly mentioned the main tools of digital marketing. But what do they do exactly?

Each has their own use and purpose. To have a successful online presence, you don’t need to work with all of them, which is why it’s good for you to understand how each works and get comfortable with the ones you feel make the most sense for your business.

Here are some basic tools we recommend looking into.

Professional Website

A professional website is basically your digital business card and information hub for potential customers. It’s where people go to learn more about who you are, what you offer, and how to get in touch. A well-built website can effectively showcase your expertise and professionalism, reassuring customers that they're making the right choice.

This seems pretty straightforward, right? Here’s the thing, though: it’s not easy, and it’s time-consuming. Especially when you’re busy running your business. Crafting a professional website, just like renovating homes or waxing cars, demands specific knowledge. Instead of banging your head trying to set up the website and write the content, bringing in a professional to design your website can be a smart move that will save you significant time.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is a free tool that uses words your potential clients naturally use when looking up your services to put you at the top of Google search results. In today’s world, good SEO is essential for small businesses. It puts you in front of potential customers right when they’re looking for the services you provide, helping you compete with bigger companies and attract more business.

Handling SEO by yourself can be tricky. It involves knowing the right keywords to target to make sure your website shows up higher in search results. Without experience, you might not see the results you hope for, which means potential customers might not find your business online. Working with SEO specialists can significantly improve your business's online presence.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

Have you ever noticed when Googling something that some results at the top of the page are 'Sponsored' - those are Google Ads, also known as Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.This model makes sure your ad budget is only spent when someone is interested enough to click on an ad. It strategically places your business in front of customers who are actively searching for your specific services.

When done well, PPC is extremely cost-effective. An expert will optimize your keyword selection, manage your budget, and constantly refine your ad so it matches your customers’ searches, this way you won’t spend large sums of money for no reason.

How Does it Benefit You Over Time?

Time to Cut Through the Noise: is It Really Worth It?

Now for the big question, the reason why you’re here: how does digital marketing benefit you and your business in the long run? You know what digital marketing is now, you know some of its key components and what they can do for you. All that’s left is understanding the benefits months, even years from now.

Remember those tools we mentioned before? Isn’t it time you see what they can do for you long term?

A Website

Over time, a well-maintained site can lead to increased customer trust and more business. How exactly? Well, a high-quality website makes sure that when customers check you out, they see a professional and reliable company; as experts they can trust.

This way, their visit to your website will turn into calls, more bookings, and ultimately, more jobs completed. This constant and solid online presence will build a strong brand that customers will recognize and trust. When they refer you to friends, those friends have a professional platform to get to know you and see what you offer. As you consistently update and maintain your site, it will continue to attract new customers, effectively becoming your hardest working salesperson.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

The long-term advantage of SEO is that it keeps your business visible to potential clients for a long time without the constant expense of ads. Imagine you're a plumber in a big city; if your business consistently shows up at the top of search results when people search for "best plumber near me," you won't need to spend as much on ads.

Over time, this high visibility from SEO becomes self-sustaining, meaning you keep getting seen without pouring more money into it. This not only cuts down your marketing expenses but also establishes your business as the go-to in your field. After all, the more visible you are, the more business you naturally attract.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising

The magic of PPC is in its ability to help you collect data and analysis. Now, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Basically, by knowing which ad gets clicked on the most, you’ll be able to figure out what works and what doesn’t. This way, you can quickly adjust your marketing strategy to fit the needs of your clients and prospective clients.

If the ad for the landscaping service you offer doesn’t attract as many customers in November, you’ll know to put your efforts somewhere else. This flexibility and direct feedback is what’s great about PPC long-term. As you refine your PPC strategies based on this immediate feedback, you get better at reaching the right customers and turning those clicks into jobs.

So, All Things Considered

Together, these elements of digital marketing don’t just work to expand your immediate client base; they build and reinforce your business's reputation, online presence, and efficiency. No matter what the next step looks like for your business, digital marketing and all its components, can align with those goals to make sure you not only survive, but thrive.

Ready to Get Started?

Now you know what all the fuss is about. From expanding your reach to establishing your brand as an authority in your field, the long-term benefits are clear. All you need is a partner to guide you through this new landscape you’ve just explored.

With Ubiweb as your partner in this journey, you start right. Our dedicated team takes every component of digital marketing to the next level by offering you a personalized service. We’ve proven it’s worth it, so why not take the plunge now?

Let’s secure your future together!