The internet has opened the door for people who want to turn their small businesses into multimillion-dollar companies. You don't even have to spend money for these essential digital marketing tools.
Before the World Wide Web, marketing was challenging. You had to rely on TV, radio or print to get the word out about your company. Now, digital marketing has taken over. Advertising has blown up in a big way, and there is an overwhelming amount of marketing content out there.
It's your job as a business owner to cut through the noise of other advertisements and create eye-catching digital marketing. We've determined seven of the top free marketing tools you can start using today to make your small business boom.
1. WordPress
If you need a content management system (CMS) for your digital marketing, look no further than WordPress.
The options are nearly limitless with WordPress. You can create your website from scratch using the intuitive drag-and-drop system. The folks at WordPress make it easy to build a website with a storefront, add detailed information about your company and vision, and even include a full-fledged blog so you can market with high-quality content and SEO keywords.
Perhaps the best part of WordPress is the tens of thousands of plugins you can add to your page. Plugins have a wide range of features, including monitoring analytics, customizing your theme, adding a contact form and much, much more.
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2. Canva
Online ads are now the norm for most people. Looking for help developing your newest ad campaign with images? Canva can help you build amazing ads with its easy-to-use yet feature-rich image creator. However, Canva can do so much more than just create ads. You can use it to develop images for your social media pages, your website and more. You can even compile and import important data and use it to build custom charts. If you can dream it, you can create it.
3. Google Search Console
The way your website ranks on Google is vital to your success. You want to always make it to the first page, ideally near the top. Luckily, free tools can steer you in the right direction. Google Search Console, formally Google Webmaster Tools, is an application that helps website owners determine the rank of their website. Once you link your account to the search console, you can track your keywords and page views. Use this information to learn when and how to market your page for even more views.
You can also use this tool to find errors that are holding your site back. The console will not only point out the errors to you but help you fix them. This is a must-have freebie for all small business owners.
4. Ubersuggest
Part of your marketing plan should involve targeting SEO keywords that relate to your niche. Keywords are important because they allow you to reach a specific target or people with a specific need. Essentially, the goal is that when people type the keywords you pick into Google, your website pops up near the top of the list. For example, if your website sells pet supplies, you may want to target "best treats for cats" in your blog posts.
Ubersuggest allows you to enter one keyword or phrase, and it will give you a bunch of words that you can use in your blog posts. This free tool can also help you learn more about SEO and how it relates to your marketing plan. It's certainly worth your time if you're new to digital marketing.
5. Help a Reporter Out (HARO)
Besides having good keywords, you have to deliver quality content if you want a strong, reputable digital marketing presence. Sometimes it can be hard to write high-quality content if you don't know where to look. Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a free application that allows bloggers to link up with sources to deliver trustworthy content with reputable sources. You simply sign up, look for sources that have information relating to your niche, and get writing! You always want to make sure the topic you choose will interest your audience, but having a solid source is a great start.
6. Mailchimp
There's no question that one of the most important parts of your digital marketing plan is your sales emails. You need a reliable free tool that can help you reach more people and get conversions. All of your bases are covered when you use Mailchimp for your email marketing. You can create eye-catching, informative ads that go out to your mailing list in a matter of seconds.
Many people love the fact that you can create a wide variety of email types aside from simple marketing letters. It's possible to send customized welcome letters, "abandoned cart" reminders, product recommendations and more.
7. Hootsuite
Finally, you have to cover your social media presence. Hootsuite is designed to keep track of all of your social media pages in one place. You can go through and schedule upcoming posts, including articles and marketing posts, making it easier than ever to reach out to your audience. Hootsuite also allows you to track both competitors and influencers in your niche.
The intuitive layout gives you easy access to all of your profiles and the people you wish to track. You can stay up to date on influencer information, see what your competitors are up to, and ensure that you'll never have a post go out late again.
Conclusion
There's a wide range of tools out there to help you develop a killer digital marketing strategy. We've introduced you to some of the best here. Use this information and these resources to start building up your marketing. Always consider your company's niche, how your audience likes to communicate and what you can do to reach the most people. It may take some time to get the marketing ball rolling, but once you get some folks interested, you're on a straight path to success. Keep your head up, keep pushing, and keep marketing!