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Marketing When Just Starting Out

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So, you've started a great business. It's something you've worked hard on and can't wait to share with the world. This is where marketing comes in handy. Marketing is how you get the attention of your target audience, how you build a following, and how you make that audience listen to what you're saying and interact with you.

Strategic marketing can truly make or break the success of your business. A common mistake among first-time business owners is that they spend a lot of time and money on building their business, website, and brand, and then wait for people to find them. You could have the most innovative business in your industry, but without proper marketing, you could be hard to find.

Think of it this way: If someone doesn't know what they're looking for, how will they find you? How can someone find something they've never heard of?

It's your job to spread the word about your business and get people to know who you are.

How do you do that? Check out our list of 7 ways to start effectively marketing your business:

Define your audience

When marketing any business, it's vital to know your target audience. When thinking about who your target audience is, it helps to include factors like age group, location, and disposable income. Once you narrow down who your audience is, it will help you to figure out other things such as reasonable costs of your products and services. A 21-year-old college student is going to have different budgeting priorities than a middle-aged father of three. Not only are they in different life stages, but their priorities and what they are willing to spend will also be different.

Advertise in the right places

After you've distinguished who your audience is, think about their lifestyle and what will reach them.
How and where does your audience spend their time? Are they more prone to be watching tv, checking Instagram, or researching things online? Look at your competition - what are they doing successfully? How might you implement their techniques into your advertising strategy? Advertising is anything you do to get the public's attention for your business. It could be anything from social media or Google advertisements to rack cards, business cards, and signage. Keep in mind, it's best to spend money where you think you will get the best return on your investment.

Make sure your website is up-to-date with SEO

Having a website is essential for a business, but without proper Search Engine Optimization, a website might not reach its potential and could be detrimental to your business. Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is the action of using relevant keywords and phrases with a high search volume in the content of your website to optimize the traffic coming to your site. Proper SEO leads to higher rankings and maximized user traffic. A website with well-done SEO is one of the best spokespeople you can have for your business. It does all of the work of bringing in online traffic and customers, which leads to more revenue for you.

Use social media to your advantage

Social media is a great (and free) tool to get your business' name out there. 7-in-10 Americans have social media accounts, a huge increase from the just 5 percent of social media users in 2005. People use social media not only to connect with people they already know but also to connect with people, organizations, and brands that share their passions. When it comes to social media, each platform is unique and appeals to a different audience. Once you research and find which platforms work for you, create accounts and start posting! Hashtags are popular ways to connect with people who are interested in a certain topic. It also helps to follow influencers and businesses in your industry. For inspiration, check out our blog post on local businesses getting it right on social media.

Set up your Google listing

The Google My Business tool is a great way to get your name out there. When people search for you, all of your essential information will appear. It also shows how many reviews you have and allows people to view them. You can also see where people are coming from, how they found you, and how they're interacting with you. Another helpful feature is the ability to go into your Google account and see how many people called you, looked up directions to your place of business, or went to your website strictly from your Google listing. And on top of all that, it's free.

Encourage customers to leave online reviews of your business

Reviews matter. Why? Because no matter how many times you say how awesome your business is, it still means more coming from a consumer. People trust other people's experiences. That's why online reviews are so key. Think about it: If you are looking for an Italian restaurant in town and look up the reviews, are you more likely to go to a 1-star or a 4-star restaurant? Positive customer reviews build trust, and the more positive reviews you have, the better off you'll be.

Make use of email marketing

Email marketing is one of the most effective types of marketing you can do. Why? Because the inbox is where your customers are. People may check social media for entertainment, but they check email for important information. When people sign up to receive your emails, they're doing so because they want to hear from you and keep up with what's going on with your business. With emails, you can send your customers important information, highlight services or products, feature a new blog, and much more. Also, read our blog post on 6 Ways to Make Your Email Marketing More Effective.

How we can help

Successful marketing strategies are unique to each business. No two strategies will be completely the same. Starting from scratch can be an overwhelming process.

That's why we at Old City Web Services offer marketing and SEO services.

Our team can help with:

  • Finding your target audience
  • Determining where/how to advertise
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Social media management
  • Setting up your Google listing
  • Email marketing management

From content creation to design to social media management, our team can help you create a strategy that will help you and succeed. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you stand out from the competition!

 

 

 

Local Businesses Getting It Right on Social Media

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There's no doubt that social media plays a big role in marketing of businesses of all sizes. Social media not only helps you reach those in your community but all around the world. It's a diverse tool which can have mass advantages if done properly.

For this blog, we thought we'd recognize some of the businesses within our community who are doing an amazing job at using social media to their advantage.

The Kookaburra

kookaburra 2The Kookaburra, an Aussie-American espresso bar and pie shop, has been a St. Augustine staple since 2012. When you visit one of their now four locations, it's easy to tell that as a business they believe in creating an experience for their customers. They definitely have a knack for making everyone feel welcome, from first-time visitors to the regulars. Their business is thriving, and it's no wonder that they keep people coming back time and time again. But it's not just the impression they make in person that keeps them on the minds of their customers. They're also rock stars at the social media game.

Where you can find them: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat

What they're doing right:

  • They post quality photos daily. They promote their products in a way that is so enticing, you get the urge to hop on over and grab a hot latte or fresh donut.
  • They interact with their customers and make it a community experience.
  • They show behind-the-scenes pictures of the shops and introduce their staff.

Crave Food Truck

crave 2Crave Food Truck is a local food truck that has been dedicated to serving St. Augustinians the healthiest and freshest local ingredients since opening four years ago. You can often find locals at their beautiful outdoor downtown location or the beach location they share with The Kookaburra. Each day, they serve up fresh wraps, salads, smoothies, bowls, cookies, and much more. The mixture of healthy food and fun experience turns visitors into repeat customers.

Where you can find them: Facebook and Instagram

What they're doing right:

  • They share photos of their delicious, fresh food daily. They use social media to share specials, new meals, and food they want to feature that day.
  • They utilize Instagram stories to their advantage by giving their customers a constant behind-the-scenes glance at what really goes into keeping a food truck running. They also show the staff having a blast while serving the community.

Declaration & Co.

declarationWhat started out in 2010 as a 700 sq. ft. shop selling gift items and wedding invitations has evolved into a 3500 sq. ft. space featuring the shop owner, Lara's, own brand. As you walk through the light and airy space known as The Marketplace, you'll see her designs on apparel, jewelry, cards, pins, candles, and much more. There's even a part of Declaration & Co. that acts as a unique candy shop. This is the perfect place to find the gift you've been looking for (for yourself or someone else).

Where you can find them: Facebook and Instagram

What they're doing right:

  • They utilize their account to showcase their own brand amongst other products they carry.
  • Their photos have a uniform look and theme. If you follow Declaration & Co.'s account, you start to recognize which pictures are theirs without having to look at their name. It's great to develop an identity on social media.
  • In between shop and merchandise photos, you'll find photos of the shop owner's family. This allows customers to get to know the people behind one of their favorite stores. This is a unique and useful way to promote small business and connect with the community.

What can we learn from these local businesses?

  • Social media takes effort. It's more than just setting up an account, posting here and there, and hoping people follow and interact with you.
  • These companies all post often and with intent.
  • They take the time to take quality photos.
  • They highlight their staff and behind-the-scenes moments.
  • They get personal and interact with the community.

Could your social media use an upgrade or makeover? We know social media can be time-consuming for any company. That's why we offer social media marketing services. Contact us today and we can create a marketing plan unique to your business.

 

 

 

 

How to Compete with Large Companies

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If you own a small business, you may think that your only competition is fellow small businesses. That couldn't be further from the truth. These days, there are so many options for consumers. This means customers can afford to be picky and shop around. Chances are, there are other businesses doing what you do within a short drive. Customers will most likely read reviews and check out your website or social media before stepping foot in your store.

If people are going to give you their business, they want to know that they're making the best choice. And with large corporations out there who obviously have a great marketing plan and national and international followings, this can be intimidating. But it doesn't have to be.

So, how do you stand out and prove you're their best choice?

Design and Branding

You don't have to have a multi-million dollar budget to make a big impact. It isn't about how much money you spend but how you spend it. It's about making your budget work for you and working with the right team to help guide you to success. Investing in a quality logo and clean website can put you on the same level as the sizeable companies you're competing with. When it comes to who to give their business to, first impressions could not matter more. A professional looking brand builds trust with a consumer. They make the correlation between quality of brand and quality of product or service. If your brand isn't quite up to the level of your competition, they might associate that feeling with what you have to offer.

Advertising

So, maybe you don't have a nationwide following - that's ok. Once again, it's not about how much money you spend but about where and how you spend it. Effective advertising is all about knowing who your target audience is and investing in ways that will get their attention. Are you a hotspot for tourists? Then it might be a great idea to place advertisements in city maps and hotel rack cards. Facebook advertising is also a handy tool that allows you to set your own budget, how long you'd like your ad to run, and the exact audience you'd like to target. There is no concrete way to advertise. It all depends on your business and your mission.

Social Media

Social media is one of the easiest ways to get on top of your game with your customers. While you can do paid advertising on social media, there are many ways to utilize the free services available to your advantage. Social media really allows you to be involved in your community, connect and build relationships. Anyone can advertise a business, but it takes effort to do it effectively. Today's consumers are focused on connections and authenticity.

  • Show some behind-the-scenes shots of what it takes to make your business run.
  • Introduce customers to your team members.
  • Do a customer appreciation spotlight.
  • Ask for your customer's input on products and services.

As a small business, you have the advantage of knowing your customers and being involved on a daily basis. Use that to your full advantage.

Involvement with community/target audience

One of the best ways to market your business in your community is to partner up with other businesses. If you have a chocolate shop, maybe pair up with a wine bar for a chocolate and wine tasting event. If you have a bakery, talk to local coffee shops to see if you can sell some of your baked goods at their shop and, in return, sell their coffee at your shop. Partnering with area businesses is a great way to get your name out there, network with other entrepreneurs, and have customers associate your name with other reputable companies. It's a win-win.

At Old City Web Services, our mission is to help our clients succeed and stand out. We offer comprehensive design and development services that allow our customers' businesses to live up to their full potential. Once we've helped build your brand, we offer marketing services as well. We can put together a unique marketing plan just for your business. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you how we can help your business succeed!

10 Ways to Establish Your Business

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Being a new business has its challenges, one of the biggest being establishing yourself in the community. A loyal client base and name recognition are vital to your success. Without the support of those around you, failure comes closer to becoming a reality than a fear. So, how do you make your startup stand out before it sinks?

Take advantage of free listings

This is a no brainer. Putting your company’s name out there as many ways as you can for free should be a top priority. Directory listings and community calendars are great resources for the community and an excellent way to get your name out there. This takes minimal time and effort and helps establish your business among other longstanding companies in the area.

Make sure you know your target market

Take a second to sit down and really think about who your target demographic is. Who are you marketing to and how are you doing so? Are they more likely to be on social media or flipping through the latest newspaper? Spending all the time and money in the world in marketing won't make a difference if your audience never sees it.

Utilize social media

Let’s face it. Everyone is on social media these days, and as a business, it is becoming an essential way to reach consumers. Luckily for you, social media is a free and effective way to interact with customers from all over. Depending on what your business is and the age group of people you are trying to reach, you can choose the best social media platforms to reach them.

Start a blog

Think that you shouldn’t start a blog because you’ll run out of things to talk about? What if you are a very specialized business? Not a problem. A company blog is a useful platform to produce content related to your industry. Relevant content will promote you as trusted resource for your trade. Example: Say you run a gym or are a personal trainer. You don’t have to use your blog just to talk about your services. Use your platform to talk about health advice, innovative exercises, and client transformations, etc.

Implement SEO into your website

Search engine optimization is the action of making your website rank for search keywords and phrases that pertain to your website/business. It is important to have the keywords and phrases viewers are searching for installed properly on your website. If done correctly, more people will view your website which will result in an increase in business. Search engines rank your website based on common search terms, the age of your site information, site links, and the relevance of your content.

Create your Google Business listing

Listing your business on Google will make sure your business appears easily when people are searching for you on Google. You can add pictures, and people can leave reviews which add to your credibility.

Take advantage of customer testimonials

When a customer has a good experience with you, don’t be afraid to ask what they thought of your service. Testimonials are one of the best ways to build credibility with potential clients.

Send out emails

Putting customers on an email list is a great way to reach out to them long after they've left your website or store. This gives you the opportunity to tell them about the variety of services you offer, updates from your company, and news in your industry.

Get involved in the community

How do you expect the community to know who you are if you don’t try to get to know the people in it? The more people see your name associated with the community, the more they will come to know you as a local establishment. Sponsor or participate in community events. Donate or give discounts for first-time clients. Give clients an initiative for referring customers. Give back to the community. Serving others is not only great for your staff but is also a wonderful way to get to know the locals.

Network as much as possible

Getting involved with different organizations within the community is essential. Some of your biggest allies in the business world are fellow business owners. The Chamber of Commerce should be at the top of your list for business networking. The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s mission states they are dedicated to improving the business environment in St. Johns County by focusing on Economic Development, Business Advocacy, Member Education, and Business Promotion. Service organizations such as United Way or Rotary are also excellent ways to get involved in the community.

How We Can Help

Here at Old City Web Services, we are dedicated to helping businesses thrive. Don’t know where to start? We offer many services that can help you out.

We can:

  • Perfect your marketing strategy to reach your target audience
  • Tune up or revamp your website
  • Write content for your company’s blog
  • Assist you with SEO and Google listings
  • Assist with print design and much more.

Go to our website, call us, or schedule a consultation with our team to see how we can help you get settled and succeed today.

Social Media: It’s all about the Trends.

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Social Media Trends & Businesses

Facebook Trends On Social Media

Facebook Trends Box

A trend is a pattern or general direction of developing. Social Media is filled with all kinds of trends. An example of a trend on Twitter is when you see a post using hashtags like "#TuesdayMotivation". Twitter shows you the most recent hashtag trends in a box called "Trends" located on the left-hand side of your home page. Facebook's trend box is on the right-hand side of your timeline. Using trends will keep your customers engaged in your business and help broaden your network. Trends are very important on social media but, how do you use trends to benefit your business? Here's 5 things to consider with using trends on social media for your business:

twittertrends

Twitter Trends Box on Social Media

  1. Be creative when using trends for your business. If it's "National Selfie Day",  consider taking a selfie with your product or co-workers and using that for a post.
  2. Stick with funny or happy trends."#AllLivesMatter" is an example of a serious trend. Don't get involved with serious trends because of the sensitivity of the topic or associate your business with conflicting topics.
  3. Use trends on social media to connect with customers instead of pitching your products or services.
  4. If you are having a hard time keeping up with the ever-changing trends, don't be afraid to search the latest trends on Google.
  5. Don't spam your customers. After-all,  business's don't need to use every trend out there, just use the ones that fit your business best.

 

 

Any time you don't have time to keep up with the trends, then let us do your Business's Facebook or Twitter for you!
In fact, check out our Facebook and Twitter post's to help keep up you up-to-date with the latest trends.

Picking the Right Platform for Your Business

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With so many social media platforms out there how do decide on which one is best for your business. The guide below should help with some of the confusion you might have as a business owner. Let’s take a look at all the different platforms and how they interact with people.

FacebookFacebook- Is an open environment where you have the freedom to share and connect. You can upload images, message friends, write post, create events, and share other people’s post. Having a business on Facebook you receive a business profile where you can make a post, create events and post things about your business. You also have an “About” section and some nice tools to view how well you are doing on Facebook with your customers. Facebook is for making engaging post so your customers will get involved by liking, commenting or sharing.

 

1Twitter- Is an environment where you can make quick short status post. Twitter only allows you to write something that is 140 characters, able to add hashtags and pictures. You can also “retweet” or like someone’s tweet. Instead of friends, like Facebook, you have followers who are able to see all your tweets.

 

 8Instagram- This platform you can only upload images, comment or like others images. On Instagram you can only use the app version, it does not allow you to use it on a desktop. This platform you have followers, like Twitter.

 

Pinterest- Allows users to visually share, and discover new interests by p369osting (known as 'pinning') images or videos to their own or others' boards and browsing what other users have pinned. This site is very popular with women.

LinkedIn- Is a network y963963ou can connect with other professionals. You create a personal profile and list all the place you have worked and connect with other people in varies professions. It’s kind of like a big resume connector. This platform’s focus is on the person and their professional experience rather than your business.

 

If you are still struggling with understanding or even with setting up a Social Media for your business, we are here to help. Get in contact today to get started!

Old City Web Services Launches New Website!

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WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT !

We are very excited to show off our new website here at Old City Web Services! Everything has been updated from images for the website, the "About" section to our portfolio. Not only is it responsive on any device, but it's also easier to navigate through our site. So go explore our new site, and click on everything! See what Old City Web Services can do for your business!

We recognize we have to update our website, Is it time to update yours?
Contact Us Today to Get Started!

Why Good Marketing Needs Print Media

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We all know that every day, new trends are emerging on the internet and technology is ever-changing. For many, this leads them to believe that print is dead. Maybe surprisingly, though, print is far from dead. For many small businesses, print marketing is part of their overall marketing plan and goes hand in hand with their digital communication.

There are many ways in which print can be a very effective tool in communicating the message of your small business to your target audience. At Old City Web Services, we offer design of rack cards, business cards, folders, brochures, and other print media to meet your business needs.

Here is why you should be using print media in conjunction with your digital marketing:

Personalization:

First and foremost, people know that print media takes more time, more cost, and more effort to put together. If you add personalization to this, it will make the recipient realize that you are willing to go an extra step to share your business with them. This alone can add value and lead to increased sales for your company.

Print and Social Media

Print is a great way to combine the efforts you are putting into your online presence. Having print media like business or rack cards created that draw people to your social media sites is great way to spread the word about your small business.

Uniqueness

It can be really hard to stand out in the crowd these days now that it seems like everyone has a website, everyone has a facebook page, and everyone has a business card. This makes design that much more important. It’s not just having a website or print media that matters. It has to be well designed, eye-catching, and memorable. Print marketing can be successful, but it doesn't guarantee it. Put thought into it, get a firm to help you that knows trends and can help your small business grow in all ways possible.

Small Business Advertising on a Budget

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It can be difficult as a small business owner to know how to reach an audience and advertise your services and products without busting your budget. Here are some ideas for small business owners who want to get the word out and are on a budget.

Banner Ads

As a small business owner, it is important to reach out to local outlets who promote your area and partner with them to promote your business through banner advertising on the web.

Facebook Ads 

Facebook advertising is extremely effective since ads on facebook are a way for people to promote your business without even knowing they are doing it. Even if people don't immediately make a purchase because of the Facebook ad, many of them wind up "liking" the business and ultimately becoming a customer.

Blog

Influential bloggers in your niche are happy to provide blog posts with reviews of your business and it's a mutually beneficial experience as they get to eat, shop, stay, or enjoy a product from your business while you receive the publicity of a positive review online that is seen by many.

Claim your listing on Google Places, Yahoo Local and Bing Local

 Your listing online can be claimed by you and this promotion of your business is free and easy and will put your business in search results on search engines.

Get a Rack Card

Having a professional looking, well-designed rack card to hand out is more impactful than just a business card and can give you big bang for your buck when you don't have a lot to spend on advertising, especially recurring advertising.

All of these are things we can help you with at Old City Web Services so that you can promote your small business in the most economical way possible. Call us (904.829.2772) or e-mail us today!

The Importance of Good Photography for Online Marketing

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Your business has a web presence. You have a website, a Facebook page, Twitter, and even Instagram. The best way to maximize your exposure and increase your reach on these platforms is to use really good photography.

Your website has a great design, but there aren't enough photographs, or they are small and not the greatest quality. Believe it or not, your website being visually appealing has a tremendous impact on a site visitor's impression of your business. Large, eye-catching photographs will draw a site visitor in, and will put forth the professional image that brings consumers to you and keeps them with you.

Your Facebook page has great information, where you share what's new, what sales you have going on, what your upcoming events are, or what is on your menu. Nothing enhances or draws a viewer in to these facts and gets them to stop scrolling and actually pay attention to your words more than a good photograph.

People on social media are much more likely to share your information if there is a photo attached. This will expand your reach and influence and bring in the business you are seeking with your online marketing strategy.

Photos do a few things that make a big impact:

  • Visually appealing - Draws the viewer/reader in
  • Breaks up text - information is more easily scannable when reading
  • Shareable- users of social media are much more likely to share status updates with images than without.

All of these things will have a great impact on your online marketing and the image you present online. Consider professional photography for your website or social media presence today. At Old City Web Services, we can provide photography and photo-editing services to help boost your online appeal. Contact us today!

If you'd like for us to help you in taking your business to the next level, call us (904.829.2772) or e-mail us and we will be happy to offer our services!

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We are Old City Web Services. We make it easy for small businesses to thrive online. Whether you need a professional website, help attracting more customers, or a fresh new look for your brand, we’ve got you covered. With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in simple, affordable solutions that work for businesses like yours. Let us handle the tech so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.

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