Rethinking your digital marketing plan during Covid-19

Influx.ie are a full service, digital design and marketing agency based in Ireland. We work with a range of clients, ranging from small local businesses to large multi-nationals. Our team of experts know everything there is to know about digital marketing services including Google ads (PPC) management, search engine optimisation (SEO), social media advertising, as well as website design.

Our strategic approach to digital marketing, from design/development to implementation/lead generation; drives growing returns on investment to our clients. We are passionate about what we do and if you are looking for a digital marketing company who embrace your company and are results/sales orientated, we're the guys for you.

Everyone's approach to business has had to change during the Covid-19 lock-down. Businesses that have been putting-off developing websites and comprehensive online strategies, are now realising the importance of a good digital design and marketing plan. Our experts are some of the best in the industry, and we can work with businesses of all sizes, in every sector, to achieve results.

Changing-up your online sales strategy during coronavirus

Coronavirus has the world in its grip and its effects have been devastating for many businesses. Right now,there is a fear amongst entrepreneurs, a sense of hesitation, and whilst it is true some companies will close (hopefully for most just temporarily) this crisis will pass, and things will eventually get back to normal.

As a business owner, what you do over the coming weeks will likely define your success over the next 12-months, and could be the difference between surviving or closing your doors for good. Of course, business owners are looking at their finances, and there is an understandable desire to cut any and all expenses that they can. However, your marketing spend where at all possible should not getting the cut, you need customers to survive, and marketing is the only way you can get them. We're here to help.

When a business, whether big or small, reduces its marketing sped, it leads to a reduction in their brand exposure. When a brand’s exposure is reduced, so too, is its revenue. This, in turn, can force a company to reduce its marketing spend even more. And when that vicious spiral begins, it can be very hard to stop. Your LEO has a variety of financial supports available, including dedicated Trading Online Vouchers worth up to €2500!

STAY IN BUSINESS
Companies need to continue to advertise and market their businesses. When all of this passes, the ones who have persevered with marketing their products and services will profit considerably, as those who didn't stay-the-course close. In this challenging scenario, investing in digital marketing presents itself as one of the better and safer options available, and the one most likely to provide positive returns. Especially with consideration being given to the financial supports available from Local Enterprise Offices, across Ireland.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were around 4.45 billion active Internet users worldwide, and the level of internet usage during this crisis is reportedly increasing, and increasing A LOT. The businesses that continue to promote themselves online will, therefore, reach this ever increasing audience. Your digital marketing channels are more important now, than they ever were before.

SHIFT YOUR MARKETING BUDGET TO DIGITAL
Direct marketing and footfall are, obviously, not great option at the moment. Everyone is online, Facebook and Google have never been busier. Business travel has ceased, and face to face meetings and networking are on hold.

The most savvy companies will have been reviewing their marketing budgets and re-allocating their spends into other activities where they can yield the greatest long-term return on investment. With most Irish households and businesses on lock-down, a lot more time is being spent on the internet searching for products and services that they need and researching for things they will want to get in the future. You need to be putting your products and services in front of them, all the time.

There has never been a more important time to feature high in Google’s search results and other online portals. By allocating spend to digital marketing in the form of Google Advertising, Social media and Search Engine Optimisation, you can do this.

FOCUS ON CONTENT MARKETING & SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION
In times of crisis, its natural to be more careful with how you spend your money. So, don't just spend money that stops workign for you once you "turn off the tap", so to speak.

Instead, invest your money for long-term marketing gains. Focusing on content creation and marketing, and a digital marketing strategy that consists of providing relevant information, you can reap long-term returns on your investment. This is the future of digital marketing, and is the only sure way to get a decent return on your investment.

Content marketing is part of a broader aspect of the traditonal strategy of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). In simple terms, it is the process of getting free traffic to your website from search engines like Google, by developing content that your customers are already searching for on the internet. There are many facets to SEO, but they are all about improving your visibility in search results, to get more, relevant visitors to your website, which are more likely to become new customers, and help increase your sales.

SEO and content generation is a long term strategy, and it is a digital marketing strategy that will yield results in the coming months rather than days and weeks., and even for years after the investment. So, during this period of Coronavirus uncertainty, allocating budget to SEO and unique content generation, is a smart business decision. It will give you a significant return on investment and help you to gain an ongoing and long-lasting, competitive advantage over other companies in your sector. 

We are experts in providing SEO and content creation services to small and medium sized businesses who are competing in defined geographical locations. Ireland is a great place to invest in content creation, as part of your digital marketing plan. Its small, and lots of businesses are not investing properly in this way. You can get out ahead of other businesses in your vertical and location, with smart investment in content and SEO.

DIGITAL MARKETING IS LESS EXPENSIVE
If you have ever advertised in a local paper, on radio, or even on TV, you will be aware of the large costs associated with these mediums. A perceived benefit of this medium is that you can reach a huge audience with this form of advertising, and this is true. Itis great from raising your brand awareness, but it is a shotgun approach to marketing - also, once you stop spending, the benefit is gone, so it is constantly expensive. 

In contrast, digital marketing is much more targeted and is far less expensive. When someone searches online for something they want, they likely want it at that point in time; they're actively seeking-out a product or service that you provide.  In other words, they are actively looking to become a customer.

Think of it like this: You search on Google for something you want, and options come up for people who sell it. What do you do?Well, its likely that you review the search results you've find from their search(probably the top 4/5 results) you will likely choose from  the most prominent in the search results.  Now, imagine your business is one of those prominent results, and someone is looking for what you're selling - they're going to click on your link in the search results and they come through to your website and a specific web page that is exactly what they were searching for in the first place - if you build your site right, that's what we look after.

Predicting a person’s search phrases, and matching them with the search result they see and the page they subsequently click on makes it very easy for them to buy from you. And that is the name of the game.

IN CONCLUSION
Unfortunately, some businesses will close for good, and many others will go to sleep, during the Coronavirus lock-down. But if you're reading this article, you want to survive. You're a smart business and the one of the survivors. It’s time to reassess your marketing strategies and where your budget goes, and it is absolutely not the time to press pause on your marketing efforts, even if your brickas and mortar business is closed. Digital marketing is cost effective, transparent and vital for your long-term success.