Every small business needs to develop an effective online marketing strategy. There is just too much happening online not to be a part of it, and not to be grabbing your share of the market.

And even if your small business doesn’t sell products or services online, it’s how people learn about you and decide if they want to visit. It’s also the basis for search engine results, so if people are searching for what you carry in your area, your website will show up. You can’t just count on people driving by anymore. Not only do you have to compete with other brick and mortar stores, you have to compete against the businesses online that are selling what you’re selling.

Does the internet seem too big to conquer for a small business as far as online marketing? Your small businesses doesn’t need to dominate the entire internet market – just your corner of it. Your particular audience that wants your particular product or service. Microniching is what you should be concentrating on. Not trying to sell everybody everything you have, but really narrowing down who you’re selling to and what, so you can really specialize in that area for those people.

Who is your ideal customer? Where do they live? What else do they do? How much money do they make? What are their likely professions? Answering these questions is the start to developing an effective small business online marketing strategy. One that helps you target your ideal customer with messages that resonate.

Your budget will help determine which platforms to use, along with the type of product or service you sell, as some media choices are more suited than others. Selling to other businesses? Email marketing, PPC and LinkedIn might be good choices. Want to reach right to consumers with an effective campaign? Facebook, PPC, Instagram and email marketing could be the right combination. An experienced marketing firm like Spot Digital Marketing can help you navigate through and ensure that your marketing dollars are being spent more effectively.