Small Biz Prep for Online Marketing in 2015

Woodcliff Lake, NJ, October 30, 2014 --(PR.com)-- As we move into the 4th quarter of the year, it's time to begin thinking about tactics to grow in 2015. When analyzing marketing, consider the business' performance against classic marketing metrics - product, price, distribution and promotion states Marla Currie, CEO of TAG on the Web. "For small businesses that leads to making plans for growth in 2015."

Thus was the preamble made by Currie at a webinar this week hosted by The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. TAG on the Web has just introduced two new Digital Marketing services priced for small business budgets - Fixed-Price Media Campaigns and On-Demand Graphic Design. These services recognize that small businesses often promote on-the-fly and need access to reliable channels for business promotion online.

"Today, Internet Marketing is a prerequisite especially for small businesses because of its low-cost and huge potential." Currie then went on to review the primary tools online marketing tools used by small business with a focus on how to decide which to use.

According to Currie, "If a website doesn't represent well or doesn't have useful functions like ecommerce or video, it time to think about doing an update. Fresh content is critical if the goal is site rank. Even if a site is just a brochure, the likelihood is business on some level is done through the site. Think about that first impression.

People spend less than 15-seconds on a webpage, according to Currie. Websites have to impress site visitors in a nano second with an inviting, user-friendly and functional website. If a website is more than 2 years old, Currie recommends a site facelift or if the current design is liked, consider refreshing images and content sitewide.

Nine out ten small businesses are using at least one internet marketing tool already. Most use Social Media. Currie asked, "Are you using the right ones for your business goals? What else could you do to optimize your benefits from online marketing activities?"

if you're building a new website or just looking to improve an existing site's searchability, search engine optimization is important. However, unless site rank is the goal, most websites need only be compliant with SEO best practices. "Not sure how your site stacks up? Ask your web designer for assistance or get an SEO Tuneup," advises Currie.

Updating content should be done for the benefit of site visitors, not search engines. "If you are a born writer, then by all means, blog. But, if keeping up with the engines is becoming a job in itself, know that relentless content generation only benefits others. Remember: as a small business owner, the goal is not to become an author, but to reach the audiences other authors generate online."

Over 21% of small business spend their total marketing budget on Social Media. Almost 60% have a Facebook page. Social Media is a very time consuming endeavor. Often a business will pay professional marketing firms to manage a demanding social media presence that can include page updates, community managing, as well as designing creative materials like digital ads. Smaller businesses tend to go it alone but soon tire of the commitment. "That's unfortunate," laments Currie.

If the company engages in social media whether an owner's task or hiring pros, know that social engagement is a soft marketing tactic that more often that not, will not bring bottom-line measurable results. For less conversation and more converts, advertising is the way to go.

Of all the online marketing tools, only Online Advertising can guarantee Page 1 using Paid Search, according to Currie. The cost to run a Display Ad on prestigious content sites is very affordable in small budgets. Sophisticated tracking of individual behavior gets a message directly in front of customers. "Online Advertising is powerful stuff," adds Currie.

How do you determine an optimal budget? "Consider your needs," advises Currie. People learn ad messages from frequency of exposure. Longer sustained campaigns give audiences time to see your message, learn your message and act on it.

Make 2015 the year your company plans a 12-month marketing effort to give your business its boost to greatness. $5,000 is a good starting budget for a business with revenues under $500k annually.