Marketing can be costly. But unlike many traditional marketing outlets, the internet offers myriad free tools, making it ideal for small to medium sized businesses with limited or even no marketing budgets. Whether you’re promoting something a little controversial like HaloCigs or just selling candy, the tools listed here will get you on the right track.
Online Directories
For starters, you want to make sure your business is listed in Google My Business. By verifying your business here, your site will rank higher on search engines and gain more traffic. For optimal results, you should also verify your business on directories offered by Yahoo and Bing.
Social Media
Although many disregard social media’s marketing potential, the truth is that consumers are increasingly looking to platforms like Facebook to research products and services. The great thing about social media is that it is not necessary to invest in advertising for it to be effective. Often the free tools platforms offer are sufficient for promoting a business.
Business Blogs
Many business owners underestimate the power of blogging. However, the reality is that blogging can help establish brand trust and make a company seem more human. Consistently adding quality content to a blog will help build a following around a brand and engage customers.
Moreover, posting regularly will help increase your website’s search engine rankings, which will increase traffic and sales on your site. However, remember that an inactive blog is useless. Once you start a blog, you have to be committed to updating it in order for it to be lucrative.
Press Releases
These days, press releases are not only for print newspapers. Many online newspapers and journalists will report on a good press release. For businesses, this offers a powerful way to get free links to their sites.
Online Communities
All niches have online communities you can tap into. However, do not make the mistake of only promoting your own business. Instead, engage with the members of the community with product reviews and other insights in order to establish yourself as an expert in a particular niche. This way, customers will naturally be attracted to the services and products that you offer.
Conclusion
These days, you don’t need a budget to be successful in marketing. From online directories to social media to blogging and more, the internet offers many free and effective tools that anyone can use at no cost.
