Small businesses often struggle to make the most of their branding efforts. A majority of the time these failures are the result of very basic mistakes that can easily be avoided if these businesses know a thing or two about marketing. Here are a few basic blunders that need to be avoided by small businesses when branding.
1. Not having a solid marketing plan
Since small and medium businesses don’t often have the resources to hire proper marketing and branding managers, their branding efforts are hindered. To overcome this problem, small businesses need to begin by segmenting their target audience. This would help them define the course for their branding efforts in the long terms and craft online campaigns, PR campaigns and ads accordingly.
2. Using a sub-standard website or not having a website at all
As many as 55% of all small businesses don’t have their own website. Not only does this create credibility and functionality issues for them, it also leads to conversion problems. If this is a problem your business is facing, you need to hire a professional web designer ASAP. You may need to have a customer service person manning the website to get the kind of conversion rates you want.
3. Staying away from internet marketing and social media
For small businesses, not being on social media is the equivalent of setting up shop in the middle of nowhere. Since a bulk of your customers are likely to be on social media, it doesn’t make any sense for your small business to not be where the customers are. The key to getting your small business’ social media endeavors right is to simply respond to customers and use these outlets for customer service.
4. Not giving e-commerce the importance it deserves
Having an e-commerce setup, whether through another site that allows vendors to sell their wares or your own e-store on your website, can boost your business. Having your brand present on an e-commerce website is the equivalent of having a chain of your stores in every location in the country if not the world.
