Being aware of current trends is important to helping any size business grow. As a small business entrepreneur, though, it can be difficult to keep track of everything that is going on which could affect your business. You certainly can’t afford to have someone internally following all the trends, but you can still take advantage of big research. Many companies willingly share information you can use to help your small business grow. Here are just a few of the latest marketing insights:
- Mobile is Moving Up: LocalVox reports that 51% of consumers are now more likely to purchase from a website that has been optimized for viewing on their mobile devices. This means you have to think twice about how your website works – one approach for people who have time to read and browse, and another approach for those on the go. If you’re in retail, it’s especially important to make sure that you’ve included mobile ads and mobile coupons.
- Don’t Forget the Social: Sometimes it is the surprisingly small and easy steps which can make a big difference. SocialTimes reports that the simple act of adding social sharing buttons to your email messages can increase your click-through rates by more than 150%! These are potential customers that are willing to take an extra step to learn more about your business.
- Get Those Reviews: You might not think that online review sites are helpful, but your customers do. Search Engine Land reports that 72% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Add a page or information to your website which makes it easy to provide these reviews and be sure to ask your customers to visit the review sites as well.
- Start Blogging: It’s easy to write about your product, your industry and your business, and it helps attract attention, too. HubSpot reports that companies which blog have 97% more inbound links. Blogging is a great way to drive visitors to your website.
- Sharing is Caring: Social media can be a valuable marketing tool to help get your blogs, videos, ideas products and business information out to your target audience on a regular basis. In fact, Business2Community states that the most effective content marketers distribute their content through an average of seven social media sites. A social media page give your business another internet presence, which is great for search results, and also provides a place to share your content.
Grow Your Small Business Through Change
Some businesses come to the end of their life cycle naturally. In that case, you can think about adding a new service or changing directions completely. One great opportunity is the growing field of college financial aid advisement. The CFAA Training Institute provides an insider’s education on the college financial aid industry, along with marketing advice and tips to help your business grow. Contact the CFAA Training Institute today for more information about becoming a Certified College Financial Aid Advisor™.