COMMON CHALLENGES OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
The digital world has changed the way businesses operate, giving small business owners like you an opportunity and a platform to go head-to-head with bigger competitors online. We all love a good underdog story, but if you’re the small business owner in this scenario, you’re probably asking, “How do you even get started? How do you market or learn to market your business online when you’re limited on time, resources, and budget?”
You could Google everything there is to know about marketing a small business and try out different strategies on your own. Trial and error may sound very entrepreneurial, but this might not be the time to guess. So maybe what you really need is access to marketing experts and resources to help you make informed and strategic decisions about your online marketing efforts? Being an underdog doesn’t mean you have to be underprepared.
Here are five common marketing challenges small businesses face and how webSMART’s launchSITE can help you soar past them:
1. Not making use or sense of data
Data is collected for nearly every action people take on the internet, from who is liking your Instagram posts to the number of times your last email was opened. That may sound a little bit scary, but access to this type of data can be a gold mine for a small business owner looking to understand their customers.
Google Analytics and Google Search Console already exist to give you a comprehensive overview of your most important metrics. But the fancy graphs can still be overwhelming when you try to read them on your own. With data at the core of our launchSITE memberships, you’ll be ready to sift through customized data dashboards with step-by-step manuals on how to read them and recognize valuable insights for your business.
2. Not having a branding or style guide
Some small business owners claim that writing down their brand information or ideas is too old school. They’re the boss and it’s in their head, that should be enough right?
But what happens when you’re outsourcing work or maybe just bringing on someone new? It can be difficult to clearly convey exactly how you want your brand’s messaging or style presented if you have no actual documentation. Starting with the framework, we can help you create your branding or style guide and connect you with industry professionals to help get that picture you have in your head in front of your business.
3. Not getting the help and answers they need
Finding the right software for your business is challenging. You have to rely on reading reviews or speaking to a salesperson about the product, and chances are, you won’t always get the whole story. It’s a process that could take months to complete. So how do you cut through all of the sales talk and get the help and answers you need? Talk to someone who’s not with the company.
The webSMART team can keep you in the know with up-to-date, unbiased research on trends and technology changes so that you can make informed decisions. You’ll also have access to a community of small business owners to collaborate and exchange ideas on the launchSITE hub.
4. Not knowing where to spend time, money, and efforts online
Do you create an email marketing strategy or go all out on Twitter? What online directories should your business be listed on and why is it important? Not fully understanding where to spend time, money, and efforts online can result in you wasting the already limited resources you do have.
So don’t go at it alone! The tutorials, webinars, and community discussions on launchSITE can help you strategize and choose the best methods and platforms to create and maintain your online presence, as well as identify new opportunities and tools for your business.
5. Not providing employees with guidance on what needs to be done online
There is strength in numbers. But only if you’re on the same page. Not providing your team with sufficient guidance on what needs to be done online can potentially leave your customers confused about who you are and what you stand for!
The launchSITE’s task management system can get your team on the same page with actionable templates, how-to guides, and training, making it easier for you to lead your team to the far reaches of the digital world.
BLAST OFF WITH LAUNCHSITE
Finding an affordable marketing approach that works can be a daunting challenge for small businesses. There are so many factors to consider and so much at stake in making the decision.
But with the right knowledge, community support, and your dedication, even the smallest of small businesses can succeed in the digital cyberspace. Let webSMART’s launchSITE help you blast off to success by providing you the tools and resources you need to boost your online presence.
