No one should ever want to own a business that’s the “best-kept secret” in any field. Though that phrase might have a positive connotation for some, business owners need to recognize that exposure from advertising is a key element to business growth. Indeed, while it’s fantastic to develop leads through organic methods, informational resources, and word-of-mouth reviews, few companies experience a significant breakthrough without making some savvy digital advertising choices. To that end, here are the three best places to advertise online:
Search Engines
The first place most businesses should consider when advertising online is also the most obvious. However, that doesn’t make it any less effective. Advertising on search engines like Google (through AdWords) or Bing (Bing Ads) is a powerful way to quickly boost the visibility of your brand. In the case of AdWords, businesses can “bid” for placement on certain keywords that pertain to their products or services. (In addition, the term “pay-per-click” (PPC) advertising is most commonly associated with ads located on search engines.) Since over a billion people use Google, it’s hard to make an argument for NOT advertising on the platform in some manner. Also, don’t forget that YouTube is actually the second largest search engine after Google, and it can provide companies with plenty of opportunities to advertise effectively.
Social-Media Outlets
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Reddit, Tumblr –– take your pick –– all of these social media platforms have great advertising potential. Often, the key to finding the best social media platform(s) for your business to advertise on starts with doing a little market research and internal evaluation. By forming customer profiles and identifying target demographics, you can zero in on the social media sites that will provide the most value for your advertising dollar.
Want to get really creative with your advertising budget? Then you may want to consider teaming up with an “influencer” on social media. By sponsoring someone who has a large following on social media and who posts or creates content that is relevant to your business, you could significantly increase your reach and gain new customers. Be careful in this regard, though. Done well branded content on social media can be a win-win, but handled poorly and it can damage your reputation within your consumer base.
Business Listings
Making sure your company is featured on major business directories like Google My Business, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, etc. is a simple measure you can take to spread your message. Note here that while some directories are free, others will charge to list your company on their site. Always perform a cost analysis before joining any pay-to-play business directory. Finding a niche listing that generates tons of leads will obviously prove beneficial, but there’s no need to shell out capital on a directory that doesn’t deliver consistent ROI.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the simplest answer to a problem is also the best one. You could spend hours trying to “reinvent the wheel” and locate a series of obscure websites to advertise on, but it’s often a better idea to spend your time ensuring your current ads and listings are performing at their full potential. At Agile & Co., we specialize in optimizing digital ad spend and have years of experience managing online advertising accounts just like yours. Contact us here today! Plus, for more information on how platforms like Google AdWords will enhance your company’s online presence, check out our free eBook here:
