The success of an e-commerce business starts with spreading the word. Small businesses lack the necessary budget to showcase themselves as a potential player in the market. Does this mean that small companies don’t stand a chance to carve out a niche for themselves against the business giants?
Of course, it doesn’t!
Money is one factor in establishing a business. But there are other factors like creativity, persistency and wise moves that make the mark. There are a plethora of measures that small businesses can take up for their business growth.
1. Content Marketing:
What better way to acquaint the world with one’s business than write about it?
Content marketing is the first step to spreading the word, and spreading the word is the next step to establishing a business.
Marketing the business in blogs, forums and websites gives it good visibility. It is not necessary that one aim for grandeur in content marketing. Striking a familiar chord in the hearts of potential clients is good enough to do the trick.
2. Ad Promo Credits:
Featuring a website in Promo Ads makes it visible to audiences in Social Media Platforms. It costs much less than a campaign. An increase in the visibility of the company in Social Media gets people talking about the ‘new kid on the block.’ This spark of recognition is enough to light a fire of the company’s arrival in the market.
3. Network:
Networking is important. The best way to network is to create business accounts and actively participate in the big social media sites.
It is also important to network on a one-to-one level.
4. Customer Referral Program:
How do businesses allure, keep and get existing customers get more customers?
By giving them offers.
Pampering customers is a sure shot way to win them over. Make the handful of existing customers come back for more. Reward them with more perks if they refer their friends. This is one tactic that does not gnaw away at a business’s budget and help to build up the initial clientele.
5. Online Contests:
Online contests are a great way to spread a business’s name in the market. However, the contest ideas should connect with the targeted audience and reflect what the company stands for.
Online contests do not need to be a grand affair. It can be something that is fun and something that highlights a business.
6. Business Awards:
Apply for business awards.
Audiences today know what to look for when choosing an e-commerce site. A well-known award, adorning a business, will undoubtedly allure a lot of clients. These awards build confidence in audiences and help them to trust in ‘what a company says’ and ‘does.’
7. Business Cards:
Business Cards are undoubtedly one of the most important tools to spread the word. Every business has their business cards but the key to actually getting someone to call back is to have a business card that ‘captures a client’s interest.’
Gone are the days where business cards just had a name and contact numbers. In today’s world, especially in the competitive e-commerce market, innovation is what sells.
Customize business cards in a way that not only stands out but also grabs the reader’s interest.
8. Guerrilla Marketing:
Guerrilla Marketing is all about being high on creativity and low on budget.
What is Guerrilla Marketing?
For example:
Using an abandoned area as a canvas and showcasing a business in a street art form is a great guerrilla marketing tactic.
Very creative, professional and eye-catching these tactics get people who are NOT the targeted audience also talking about the business.
There are a lot of guerrilla marketing ideas that one can implement. Low on a budget, high on creativity and definitely a head turner, guerrilla marketing is THE word for small businesses.
9. Local Contests:
There are many local contests that take place in a year. A small business can simply sponsor them in a small way, make a donation or give away the prize in the contest. This will increase the company’s visibility and the clientele.
10. Business Website:
Getting people thronging to a company website is not enough. The future of a business is decided mostly on the company website. A business must not forget to recreate and tailor make a secured website to meet the needs of the targeted audience.
A business website should have the potential to convert visitors to customers with just a visit.
Marketing in the e-commerce industry is important. Whether a company does a costly campaign or a low budget one, it does not matter. What matters is what makes the targeted audience take notice. Small companies are in no way behind the corporate giants for their lack of budget. With these marketing tactics any company can soar to the height of success.
Author: Kunjal Panchal is a Digital Strategist, having 5+ years of experience in the field of Internet Marketing. She is a social media geek, a complete foodie and enjoys trying varied cuisines. A perfect day for her consists of reading her favorite author with a hot cuppa coffee. Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
3858 Views
Trending Articles
