Why Is Digital Marketing So Important for eCommerce Businesses?

Why Is Digital Marketing So Important for an eCommerce Business?

I truly believe that the day when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, was when Digital Marketing became a lot more challenging and.. fun!

Users are no longer consuming content while sitting but, they’re doing it on the go or while multi-tasking.

We’re  missing a lot of things because we are constantly staring down at our phones. We’re being distracted by notifications and even phone batteries are having a hard time keeping up with our usage.

All of this creating a big challenge for eCommerce business of all sizes around the world.

Where digital marketing comes into play?

We are no longer:

• Watching TV the same way we used to. TV is now been replaced by Youtube or Netflix.
• Listening to the radio like we used to. It’s now been replaced by podcasts or Spotify.
• Reading newspapers like we used to. It’s been now replaced by emails, apps & websites.
• Paying attention to giant billboards like we used to. It’s now been replaced by a small screen in our hand.

The only way to reach prospects these days and be able to market your product is by utilizing the different marketing channels.

Marketing Channels for eCommerce

One thing that all eCommerce stores have in common is that they incorporate the following channels into their marketing strategy.  In other words, they are not focusing on one channel and ignoring the other channels. Leveraging all of them is what makes them successful.

1. Search Engine Optimization

   Consumers start their shopping journey on Google search. So, you need to make sure that your eCommerce store is optimized for search engines is key. Both onsite and offsite SEO efforts must be put in place and constantly tweaked as search algorithms are changing.

2. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

   If you would like to have immediate short-term results and you cannot wait for search engines to rank you (as it takes 3-6 months to see significant traffic from SEO), SEM or paid search (PPC) is the perfect channel. Google Adwords, is a great way to target search queries on Google.com.

3. Email Marketing

   Email marketing is still alive. It is still one of the most effective digital marketing channels for retailers delivering positive ROI.
   Emails play a huge role in customer shopping experience. Users might email questions about products or general request information about your company. You send invoices through emails. You remind customers of their abandoned shopping carts and much more. Scheduling emails can certainly help you increase your sales and having email campaigns helps you to communicate with shoppers and promote your offers.

4. Content Marketing

   You are an online retailer. You cannot just be focusing on selling. You need to provide value without requiring customers to make a purchase. That’s where you integrate content marketing into your strategy.
   Customers want to find solutions to their everyday challenges. In this way, you delight customers by creating a valuable content. It can be a simple buying guide or short blog post explaining how to cook something. By creating such type of content will help you build awareness, nurture your prospects and delight current customers.

5. Social Media Marketing

   Social media networks are here to stay. In here, is where all the consumers’ attention is. Posting regularly on Facebook or Instagram is an only a part of the solution. Digital Marketing professionals must include paid social media as part of their strategy since social networks are making it harder to reach an audience without paying.

6. Display Advertising

   Banner ads are no longer as effective as they used to be but if it is planned right it can have a positive impact. Internet users are ignoring the banner ads on websites they visit unless your ad has the right message.

7.  Remarketing

   Remarketing might harm your marketing strategy but if done right, it can truly help eCommerce stores convert shoppers into actual customers. New technologies allow retailers to dynamically target website visitors with specific products or content they might be interested in.

8. Mobile Marketing

   The internet browser is no longer the only software used to access the web. We’re now using app more than ever. Just look how many apps you’re using when socializing with friends. Having a mobile strategy is important. Users behave differently on smartphones and digital marketers need to be there at the right time with the right message.

9. Affiliate Marketing

   How do you get websites talking about you? Work with affiliates by giving them an incenctive for sales they bring to your online store. Building an engaged affiliate network will certainlu boost your overall marketing campaings by helpng spread the work online.

Conclusion

Traditional marketing is not dead but it’s no longer having the same impact as it used to have. Prospects are on smartphones. The only thing that you must be aware is to always find ways of grabbing shoppers attention. You need to make your shoppers take action at the right time and purchase your valuable product.