Basic Digital Marketing

Is Social Marketing worth the Investment or Are you Wasting your Marketing Budget – a Discussion

Is Social Marketing worth the Investment or Are you Wasting your Marketing Budget – a Discussion Digital social marketing produces results however the unfortunate caveat to that is that it does take time. Unfortunately, some businesses may not have the patience to see their investment grow. The question of whether social marketing is worth the investment or is a waste of money is a very common question among small business owners and those new to the digital marketing game. As a company involved in digital marketing and having seen the results it can produce, here’s what we think about the ‘investment’ that is social marketing.

 

To begin, large corporations throw hundreds of thousands of dollars at social marketing hoping that something sticks and in large part because of the amount of money being invested, the results are sizeable. For smaller companies however, social marketing budgets are going to be a lot smaller. That is not necessarily a bad thing either. It only services to challenge social marketing companies such as Unlimited Exposure to stretch this investment to the maximum. To be clear, a website does not need hundreds of thousands of dollars in social marketing to get hundreds of thousands of dollars back. If one knows how to successfully create and maximize the potential of a sales funnel, and if the lead generation is strong, there’s no limit to what a smaller budget can achieve.

 

6 Things We’ve Learned from Doing Successful SEO in 2018

6 Things We’ve Learned from Doing Successful SEO in 2018 Long-term SEO accomplishments take time to build. Thankfully there is always time to correct mistakes and improve upon strategies that may not be performing ideally. With literally thousands of variables that could affect your search engine ranking, there are no guarantees in SEO. In our time of doing SEO successfully in 2018, here are a few of the lessons we’ve learned.

 

#1 – There is no single SEO strategy that works for all

 

SEO strategies vary according to the client. Even with the right keywords, amazing content, and strong links, a strategy may not perform with one client the same way it did with another. Using the same strategy again and again is not necessarily a bad thing if it performs well. That’s no sure thing though. Clients come with different goals, competitors, and keywords. So be prepared to swap out what isn’t working to create new strategies and techniques to obtain long-term SEO success in 2018.

 

4 Lessons to Learn in Marketing from ‘Saturday Night Live’ that apply to your Digital Business

4 Lessons to Learn in Marketing from ‘Saturday Night Live’ that apply to your Digital Business Saturday Night Live has survived over five decades and counting. Though the popular late Saturday night television show has gone through its ups and downs, it has successfully thrived in the marketplace outlasting competitors and creating conversation. As experts on digital marketing, SEO, and internet brand development, we are always on the lookout for inspiration. No matter what one might think of ‘Saturday Night Live’, its drawing power has remained consistent and its success is hard to argue with. So here are four lessons to learn in marketing from Saturday Night Live that may apply to your digital business.

 

#1 – Tackling the key issues of the day

 

Saturday Night Live first aired in 1975 and even early on, the show was never afraid to comment on key issues of the day. Though a digital business may not wish to tackle satirical political commentary like Saturday Night Live or offering social commentary that wasn’t asked for, to market in a digital space is to know how and when to comment on key issues. Keep on the lookout for fun subjects in the news or hashtags you can piggyback on. Find out the conversations being had in your industry and participate. Use social media as a way to tap into the conversation and get to know what your customers are talking about.

 

3 Ways to Reduce Cart Abandonment and increase eCommerce Sales

3 Ways to Reduce Cart Abandonment and increase eCommerce Sales Cart abandonment is highly common on eCommerce websites and is the phenomenon of a visitor, after having picked out items and placed them in their cart, deciding to not complete the checkout process. That means, somewhere along the way, the checkout process lost the customer.

 

Common reasons for cart abandonment include high shipping costs, slow shipping times, and higher than expected taxes. There may also be issues with the checkout process itself, sometimes being too lengthy and/or too complicated. For eCommerce sites that can understand where they’re going wrong with cart abandonment, they are more likely to be able to resolve the issue.

Why Online Marketing is not Working for your business

Why Online Marketing is not Working for your business For a website, digital marketing can help find a bigger audience, more brand reach, and higher sales. Keeping this in mind, where online marketing might be failing you is in its limitations. If your website is not selling well, it’s not necessarily strictly because online marketing techniques are not working. It could be from any number of offline influences that directly impact the effectiveness of online marketing. If you’re not doing what it takes offline to support your online activities, it makes it difficult for digital marketing to successfully accomplish everything it claims to be able to do.

 

Using Influencer Marketing to Build a Following

Using Influencer Marketing to Build your Brand Internet marketing algorithms are always changing and it’s sometimes a race to keep up. In response, more marketers are using influencer marketing to build followings for multi-national brands across the world.

 

Influencer marketing uses individuals and brands that already have audiences to build your own. For example, on social media, one might see Twitter accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers. Imagine being able to work together with those Twitter accounts to promote your brand. The same can be done through methods such as sponsoring a YouTube video from an influencer, brokering a deal with an Instagram influencer to promote your brand, and/or partnering with a popular Facebook page to highlight the products or services you offer. As a trustworthy strategy, influencer marketing is one method of getting the word out that has consistently delivered.

Remember these KPIs when Measuring your Content Marketing Plan

Remember these KPIs when Measuring your Content Marketing Plan Content marketing plans need to incorporate key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor whether a strategy is successful or not. If a marketer is not looking at web analytics data to measure the success of a content marketing campaign, it’s then impossible to know whether they’re on the right path. Evidently, there are some basic KPIs to keep in mind, including customer engagement and conversion rates. There are also more advanced KPIs that you might not be thinking of when it comes to measuring marketing success. This guide on KPIs for content marketing plans can hopefully share some insight into the analytic metrics to watch out for.

Evaluating eCommerce Platforms Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify – Which is Better?

Evaluating eCommerce Platforms Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify by UE. UE is the top expert in Website design and Online Marketing in Toronto since 1997. The right eCommerce platform that’s best for online stores in Canada is a tough question to answer and yet it’s one of the most common we receive. There are numerous options available out there, each one meeting different needs. The best eCommerce platform for you will depend on what features and pricing you want, requirements, and personal preferences. Three of the most popular eCommerce platforms are Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify.

What causes Low Conversion Rates on eCommerce sites and How to Fix it

What causes Low Conversion Rates on eCommerce sites and How to Fix it Conversion rates is when a visitor goes from clicking onto your eCommerce site to becoming a customer. Conversion rates are measured by this percentage. High conversion rates means increased online revenues while low rates means that there is something that needs fixing.

 

Any eCommerce store that receives a high number of visitors but is not getting sufficient sales from these visitors, the cause needs to be investigated. After all, there may be somewhere along the sales funnel where customers are being lost. If you can find where and you know what needs to be done to fix it, there’s no reason low conversion rates cannot be improved upon.

How to Write SEO Content that will Convert Customers

How to Write SEO Content that will Convert Customers Using SEO content to get customers to click and buy is the ultimate target for marketers. It does come with its challenges though. SEO strategies may be causing a site to rank extremely well however there are no guarantees that it’s getting the clicks and conversions its position assumes.

The ongoing battle between formatting SEO content through interactive design and ensuring it functions according to search engine rules is tough. Just because content grabs a visitor’s attention does not mean it will rank well and vice versa. Thereby, converting customers via SEO content should be a focus when developing said content.

How to Create a Basic Content Marketing Plan for your Business

How to Create a Basic Content Marketing Plan for your Business Content marketing has been a strong strategy among marketers seeking to build audiences. As popular as content marketing has been in recent years, not all pursuing it do so effectively. Developing an effective, basic content marketing plan involves many different components. Before you begin jumping into creating amazing content for your website and social media, here’s how you lay the groundwork for a small business content marketing plan that works.

6 Ways to Increase Social Media Marketing Engagement

6 Ways to Increase Social Media Marketing Engagement Challenge stale social media strategies with something new, exciting, and effective. If you’re a small business looking for more real customer interaction and looking to inspire conversation online, these social media marketing engagement strategies will help. Through higher social media engagement, an account can win bigger on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, and more.

 

#1 – Highlight the human side of employees

 

You don’t want your small business to be seen as just another company. Highlight the human beings who make it what it is.

The Ultimate Guide to Building an eCommerce Site for Newbies

The Ultimate Guide to Building an eCommerce Site for NewbiesUsing eCommerce to reach online shoppers has allowed multi-national corporations to increase their revenues in big ways, small businesses to find their way into a crowded marketplace, and has provided consumers with lower pricing, better products, and more favorable terms.

 

For newcomers to the eCommerce game, there is certainly money to be made. Since 2012, eCommerce companies have generated hundreds of billions of dollars in annual sales.

Digital Marketing should Choose Long-term Growth over short-term Rewards

Digital Marketing should Choose Long-term Growth over short-term Rewards Digital marketing is a long-term process. Any short-term rewards are bonus and should not be expected. Though that’s a difficult sell to some companies, it’s the closest thing to the cold, hard truth we have.

 

Digital marketing companies are usually hired to produce as soon as possible. It is highly unfortunate that most marketing strategies are more marathons than anything. Through dedication, intelligence, and perseverance, that’s how we win the race.

 

5 Video Marketing Statistics to keep in mind for the rest of 2018

5 Video Marketing Statistics to keep in mind for the rest of 2018 Say goodbye to the rule of text-based content marketing. Video marketing is growing at a feverish pace and the effectiveness of it as a digital marketing strategy is undisputable. Digital marketing companies are spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on video marketing because there’s strong evidence suggesting it could be the ‘next big thing’ in the online space.

 

The ultimate battle between Facebook and YouTube

5 eCommerce Trends to Maximize Sales Growth in 2018

5 eCommerce Trends to Maximize Sales Growth in 2018 Who buys, what they buy, when they buy, and why they buy is research every eCommerce company should invest in. The shopping habits, behaviour, and preferences of online shoppers can be used to build ultimate eCommerce solutions that strengthen profits, increases revenues, and builds a bigger audience. As eCommerce continues to grow in 2018, we’re looking ahead to some of the biggest trends we see defining the year for companies in this space.

 

#1 – Localization, Personalization & CX

 

The eCommerce company that succeeds in 2018 is the one that invests in local promotions and local-friendly content, personalized messaging and communications, and the customer experience. Though there is a lot to unpack in this trend, by pursuing localized and personalized marketing communications, instantly, you can enhance the customer experience. This goes beyond the minimum of fast shipping, low prices, and simple navigation. Those these points are arguably just as important as anything else, most eCommerce sites are already doing this. Thereby, go the extra mile in localizing, personalizing, and focusing on enhancing the customer’s perspective.

 

Is Guest Blogging and Blog Sharing on its Last Legs in 2018?

Is Guest Blogging and Blog Sharing on its Last Legs in 2018? There are varying opinions as to the effectiveness of guest blogging in 2018. There are some who will argue it to be a spam-esque strategy, while others will continue to emphasize the importance of collaboration online.

For years, guest blogging was an effective way to build relationships, build links, and gain some key SEO points, helping numerous sites we know and love rank and find audience. Today, guest blogging is not the phenomenon it once was however it is still used by many companies for the aforementioned reasons.

To dismiss guest blogging as being out of fashion or somehow ineffective in 2018 is not accurate.

How to set up an eCommerce Site to sell Huge during the Busy Summer Season

 How to set up an eCommerce Site to sell Huge during the Busy Summer SeasonCompetition between eCommerce companies has elevated consumer expectations significantly, pushing them to an all-time high as sites continue trying to outdo one another. More than 70 percent of Canadians will do at least some form of online shipping this year. For an eCommerce site to thrive in the market, they need to be able to measure up. Fortunately, through some small adjustments, any site should be able to successfully position itself for long-term success in the upcoming summer sales season. Here are some eCommerce strategies to try.

 

7 Misconceptions about SEO Practices in 2018

Misconceptions about SEO Practices in 2018 by Unlimited Exposure Online. UE is an expert in Web site design and online marketing in Toronto since 1997  SEO is nothing new yet it’s still something a lot of us can carry some dated notions or misconceptions about. As search engine optimization undergoes updates and with the array of philosophies out there about approaching SEO, it can be difficult knowing what to believe and what applies in the present time frame. Evidently, that results in a lot of people getting their SEO strategies wrong. Here are the top 7 misconceptions we have found some customers have about search engine optimization.

 

4 Things that will forever change online marketing in 2018

4 Things that will forever change Marketing in 2018 Digital marketing is expanding faster than ever and data, tech, and measurement tools are growing at similar rates. Traditional, classic advertising spending is falling by the wayside as brands are learning to spend smarter across leaner strategies and emerging technologies. Today’s landscape of ‘fake news’ accusations, Facebook privacy concerns, Google algorithm changes, and new tech introductions is innovating the way that we do marketing. As the world shifts, so do we.

 

Automation is slowly growing

 

Automation in marketing is still a new concept, in terms of being an effective strategy. Consumer behaviours are changing and for brands seeking to spend less on marketing, automation is going to have to become part of the approach. Machine learning and automation already provides brands with insights they may have never had before on details in their sales channels and performance. The more insight automation can be used to deliver, the more effective a sales strategy can be built.

 

Data accumulation is endless

 

Marketers have more data today than ever before, helping them build and modify advertising strategies. The arenas in which consumers are engaging with brands deliver innovative insights into how content is being consumed, where in the sales funnel customers are leaving your site, and more. Knowing how to sift through the increasing mounds of data will be key in 2018 and beyond. Thankfully, with the invention of AI-driven tools, data can be more effectively processed. The future of data accumulation will be challenging however for those experienced in knowing what to look for, it will be a very lucrative point in time for marketing.

 

What will be the Next Big Trend in Digital Marketing – a Discussion

What will be the Next Big Trend in Digital Marketing by Unlimited Exposure Online a web design and internet marketing company in Toronto Shaping up to be another record-setting year in business and marketing, 2018 is proving to deliver some unique trends in marketing. According to many experts, there is as much as eight unique trends each competing to overtake marketing in 2018.

 

As we look ahead towards the rest of the year, we hope to be on the cutting edge of what works – as would most companies in our shoes. For the clients we are currently working with and to the partnerships we will form in the future, these are just some of the big marketing trends we are paying attention to in 2018.

 

Account-based marketing (ABM) is a unique approach used in business marketing wherein an organization will communicate with prospects and/or customer accounts as markets of one. Account-based marketing has shown promising results in the business-to-business marketing community and is a trend that we are keeping our eyes on.

 

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are a digitization that is happening of the real world. Transcending the division that exists between the digital and the non-digital, more apps and sites are using predominantly AR to create more immersive user experiences. In return, audiences appear to be flocking in droves to take part in these experiences. Now, whether VR or AR converts to sales is another story however this is an area we are keeping tabs on.

 

These Tips will make your Local Area Marketing a Success

Tips are provided by UE an affordable website design and SEO  Experts in Toronto Canada Successful local area marketing begins with choosing geographic-friendly keywords however that is truly just the start. Every day it seems consumers continue to get smarter and search engines more intuitive. There’s also always competition coming up behind, ready to take your place. To stay ahead and continue building on your growth, a local area marketing strategy is required.

 

The first step to local area marketing is selecting geographic friendly keywords. For any successful SEO local area marketing, keywords are going to play a tremendous role. These keywords should extend beyond industry and location. Consider keywords that differentiate you from your competitors.

 

The next step is in finding the online directories that matter and getting your name in them. For example, there is Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and potentially some local business listings that you will want to get your brand on. Monitoring these listings and ensuring that your business name has been included can help establish credibility for your brand in the eyes of consumers. Next, it’s important to scan these directories routinely to ensure that the pages are functioning as they should.

 

Small Businesses waste up to 25 Percent of their PPC Budget; Why?

Small Businesses waste up to 25 Percent of their PPC Budget; Why? Pay per click marketing channels such as Google AdWords are an amazing way to advertise. PPC can help a website spread the word fast across search engine rankings and more. While a site is waiting the months required in order to build organic web traffic, in the meantime, PPC provides instantaneous results.

 

There is a dark side to PPC however that not so many marketers enjoy talking about. According to some estimates, as much as 25 percent of a site’s PPC budget ends up wasted. How this happens can largely be attributed to where the money is purposed. Due to errors in strategy, it is easy to put money towards an AdWords campaign that is doomed from the get-go. In large part, this is from small businesses who are going at it alone without the guidance of a marketing expert at their side.

 

Even on basic PPC best practices, many small businesses end up investing in the wrong places. Improving ad relevancy and managing accounts should be a priority however to too many investors, they see a program like AdWords as an opportunity to invest and reap the rewards without having to follow any rulebook. By taking on PPC without the hands of an online marketing company to guide the wheel, this can result in lost leads and increased costs.

 

How to avoid big Ranking Disasters with Google

How to avoid big Ranking Disasters with Google The changing landscape of SEO – aka search engine optimization – keeps web designers and marketing manages on their toes. Routine updates keeps things interesting. If sites do not adapt, they can end up having big ranking disasters with Google on their hands. This is why so many engineers, web designers, product managers, marketing managers, CEOs, and more should be kept in the loop with search engine optimization trends.

As an example, there are a myriad of minor SEO mistakes that can happen – which include pages getting no-indexed, canonicals being removed, de-optimizing pages with title update or removal, navigation or critical links removed, issues with the robots.txt, and broken redirects. At times, there may be even more bizarre problems at play. For an inexperienced web designer, it may take days or even weeks to figure out the error and, at that time, it may be too late to mitigate the damage. Pay attention to the analytics. If your site’s traffic has seen a significant drop and an immediate explanation is not clear, it may be due to ranking problems with Google.

There are many components to SEO that are outside of one’s control. Firstly, we cannot control Google’s algorithm. Secondly, there is no control over what competitors are doing and the success or failure of their online marketing strategies. Thirdly, there is no control over what your superior tells you to do, meaning that sometimes a CEO may pursue a wrong strategy.

Why Content Marketing is still a major influence on online success in 2018

Why Content Marketing is still a major influence on online success in 2018 Trends in web design change rapidly. Websites are always evolving, as are the programming languages and tech who form them. Across multiple decades, one of the few commonalities maintained in websites of every category is content. To advance a site’s brand development and achieve their marketing goals, content marketing has a role to play. ‘Content is king’ is not just some pretty catchphrase. It still rings true today and with that, we set our sights on sharing why.

 

Content is used across every marketing channel to motivate customer acquisition and sales. Websites, blogs, emails, and social media all use content to build brands. Podcasts, info-graphics, webinars, and email marketing campaigns also use content in unique ways to build an audience. An integrated content marketing strategy will mean leveraging each of these platforms to properly showcase content and get eyes on your site. Thereby, this may include modifications in how content is presented in order to maximize the investment.