Facebook has come a long way since its inception over a decade ago.
What started as a way for college students to keep in touch has grown beyond recognition to become one of the world’s biggest databases of personal information and a goldmine for advertisers.
Social media in general has taken a similar trajectory.
Most platforms have morphed from simple social platforms to become essential components of a company’s digital marketing plan.
It makes sense; if you want to sell, you need to go where the people are.
If you want to be successful in business today, you need to be on social media.
The benefits extend further than just giving you a platform on which to advertise.
Here are some reasons why social media is so important for your business.
Increase traffic with social media
Incorporating social media in your digital marketing plan offers additional ways for new customers to find you.
The more platforms you use, the higher the chances of your posts being seen and clicked on. Not everyone uses every type of social media, so publishing your content across a range of channels increases your chances of being noticed.
It may not happen right away either, but as you keep doing it consistently, your content can be reached long after you post it.
Increased engagement with social media
Even when being used in a digital marketing plan, social media should still be social. Engaging with your customers and showing them the personality behind your logo is one of the most effective ways of nurturing the trust they need to have in you to buy from your business.
Taking the time to engage with your audience and build relationships will raise your profile with the people who already follow you while also making you a more attractive proposition for potential followers.
Because the result is an audience who trusts you and is ready to buy from you, building a community on social media by engaging with them is one of the most important aspects of many digital marketing campaigns today.
Branding benefits of social media
One benefit of building a community on social media as part of a digital marketing plan is the brand loyalty that can be nurtured in this community. Brands who use social media will enjoy greater loyalty from their followers, as people typically follow accounts they like, trust, or are interested in.
Another benefit of effective social media usage brings to your brand is “brand recognition”. Every post you make is a new chance for someone to see your name and logo, even if the post itself doesn’t resonate.
Consistently showing up in searches on multiple social media platforms will mean eventually being recognized, remembered, and more likely to be checked out by potential new customers.
Social media marketing to mobile users
Sometime in 2015, mobile internet usage surpassed that of static machines. However, that doesn’t mean everyone is checking out websites while commuting or sitting in the café at lunchtime.
Everyone’s phone or tablet is full of apps, and many of them are social media platforms. The numbers alone tell you that targeting these people should be a big part of your digital marketing plan.
It’s the easiest thing in the world for a social media user to see your post and click through to your article, product, or landing page. Make sure you give them the opportunity to do so.
Successful businesses know where their ideal customers are, and how to market to them. With seemingly everyone on social media today, your company should be including it in your digital marketing strategy.
The benefits are too numerous not to.
SEO benefits of social media
While nobody outside of Google knows exactly how their ranking algorithms work, we do know they are constantly changing to provide more relevant results to their users.
Traditional on-page SEO techniques such as a regularly updated content will always be important, but some believe Google are starting to pay attention to a company’s social media presence.
Companies active on social media can be seen by Google to be a more attractive proposition for their users, meaning your own activity on social media may soon be a contributing factor in your SEO, and a vital part of your digital marketing.
To discuss your digital marketing with SeeThrough Web, please contact us 416-244-2979