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Home-based businesses are very popular, and it is estimated that a new one is started every 12 seconds. Unlike most other small businesses, companies that are launched from home often require a start-up capital of less than $5,000. This makes it possible for people from all walks of life to achieve their goal of becoming self-employed. However, it takes a lot more to become successful than simply having a dream and starting a business.
Aside from filling a niche, having the necessary skill set and offering quality products or services, it’s imperative to harness the power of online marketing. Fortunately, there are many tools available to help you connect with a wide audience of potential customers. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you’ll be able to greatly increase your chances of becoming a successful home-based business owner.
1. Website Building Software
Having a nicely designed website with high quality written content has to come before anything else. After all, 81 percent of consumers research items and companies online before they commit to making a purchase. Additionally, a professional looking website is one of the key ways to build consumer trust.
The good news is that companies like WiseIntro make it possible to build your own professional website. This will help you save a lot of money while still attracting consumer attention. It’s also wise to combine your site with a strong social media presence.
2. Google Analytics
Let’s face it; Google basically rules the entire Internet. Unless your website and online marketing efforts attract a high search engine ranking, it’s going to be extremely difficult to build a profitable business. The good news is that Google offers a free Analytics service to help you improve the quality of your website and keep an eye on traffic.
You can also track the performance of your AdWords campaigns and set up specific conversion goals. This is very useful for tweaking your online marketing. It allows you to quickly and easily see what is and isn’t working. By utilizing this Analytic data, you can maximize your online marketing budget and efforts.
3. Email Marketing Software
There are numerous options available for email marketing software, including GetResponse, MailChimp, and Constant Contact. Use a personalized and automated approach to email marketing in order to have the best possible impact. Studies have found that merely including the email recipient’s name in the subject line can increase open rates by up to 42 percent.
4. Consider an Online Marketing Company
Do you have zero knowledge about marketing but a strong business idea? Turning to an online marketing company such as Markitors, Internet Marketing Ninjas or StraightNorth will be more expensive than DIY. However, in some cases, this is actually the best usage of your time and money.
Before you sign any contracts, though, do some research. See which company in your price range has the best reputation and offers the most comprehensive online marketing package.
5. Tools for Branding
Your company needs to be based on two ideas: customer retention and branding. Everything from having a professional logo designed to choosing a specific color scheme for your website and ads will make it easier for consumers to identify your products and services.
Always remember that even Coca-Cola still places an emphasis on product branding in their advertisements, and so should you. It’s also a good idea to look for small and simplistic ways to build brand awareness. For example, WiseStamp enables home-based business owners to create an eye-catching email signature that will further your branding efforts.
There are virtually countless additional marketing resources you could use, ranging from browser plugins that assist with blog writing all the way to free advertising sites such as Craigslist and ClassifiedAds. Ultimately, the marketing tools you choose to use should be based on your specific needs, along with your budget and business niche. By keeping these tips in mind, you can help your home business grow quickly without spending an exorbitant amount of money.
Holly Chavez is a multidisciplinary writer who enjoys writing entertaining and offbeat articles for families to enjoy. You can catch up to her on twitter @hollyleichavez
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“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”
Vicki Rains
November 2, 2018 at 8:18 pmI haven’t ever been entrusted in an online business
Home Jobs By Mom
November 8, 2018 at 8:57 amI’m sure you could if you wanted to 🙂
Shannon M Gilchrist
February 4, 2019 at 8:10 amYou forgot Directly Social. They’re phenomenal.
Home Jobs By Mom
February 5, 2019 at 8:50 amI will have to look into that one. Thanks!
Calvin
April 3, 2019 at 10:05 amMany nice resources. Definitely a ton of help for those starting out.
Kara Marks
April 6, 2019 at 7:37 pmThese sound like good resources. I really don’t know much about marketing or small businesses.
Nancy
April 15, 2019 at 9:03 pmVery informative. I am going to save this. My current job is more local, so direct marketing mail is most effective.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 17, 2019 at 2:27 pmMay I ask what your job is?
Amy D
April 16, 2019 at 2:51 pmI have a degree and former career in marketing and advertising. I have not worked in 10 years though, so a lot has changed, especially with technology. In fact, when I was ending my career, social media was just beginning to surface as a means of marketing for companies. I did use platforms like Constant Contact for mass emails.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 17, 2019 at 2:30 pmI bet a lot has changed in your field since you last worked. Do you think you’ll ever go back to it?
Denise Low
April 18, 2019 at 2:31 pmThank you for sharing. I haven’t really thought about Online Marketing. I think it would be nice to own my own business.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 27, 2019 at 9:36 amYou and me both! Maybe I’ll own one, one day.
Dawn D.
April 19, 2019 at 6:58 pmThis day and age, all of these are equally important. I can’t narrow it down to just two. IT is a must, branding is a must. If you want to complete in this world of business, you have to have all of the above.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 27, 2019 at 10:00 amSounds like you know what you are talking about!! A little of it all probably comes in handy at some point.
Paula Pennachio
April 21, 2019 at 7:23 pmI think any of these tools would work great for any business. I would mostly make sure that I am on all of the social media sites
Home Jobs By Mom
April 27, 2019 at 10:25 amYes! Social media is a big one these days for businesses.
Dawn D.
April 22, 2019 at 6:45 amThere are many options to go with. Anything regarding social media sounds right to me.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 11:17 amYes, social media is very popular these days in terms of marketing.
Dana Rodriguez
April 25, 2019 at 11:43 amI don’t really know anything about marketing but these sound like great resources. Great article for those starting out!
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 11:38 amThanks, Dana! I hope these marketing resources help someone out.
Jaff
April 27, 2019 at 9:29 pmWhat I do is spread positivity through my Facebook Business page by posting only positive, funny, entertaining, and inspiring posts every day. I would only choose two days in a week where I would promote my online business. In addition, I found that I can get great traffic on Quora. Just answer people’s questions that are related to your business. Give people great insight in your answers, and they’ll come to check you out.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 1:41 pmQuora is a great suggestion Jaff. People often forget about those question sites when marketing.
Heather K
April 27, 2019 at 10:25 pmI think an important thing to remember about online branding is having a theme that carries through the website, emails, etc so that everything looks consistent and instantly recognizable.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 2:09 pmYes, that is important! It makes your business feel more consistent and trustworthy.
Veronica Lee
April 30, 2019 at 5:32 amThanks for the helpful resources. These will be of great help for those starting out.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 2:18 pmYou are very welcome and I hope these marketing resources help new and veteran business owners alike.
Cindy S.
May 3, 2019 at 6:29 amBranding is most important. Of course, branding is futile unless you have an awesome website. Be sure you understand your market. What do they want? how do you reach them?
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 4:15 pmAll great points, Cindy. Have to meet your customers needs in order for any marketing to work.
Ronald Gagnon
May 4, 2019 at 6:10 pmThe best techniques are….Client referrals and offering a free consultation
Home Jobs By Mom
May 13, 2019 at 1:48 pmDo you offer incentives for referring someone?
Ronald Gagnon
May 13, 2019 at 2:57 pmI appreciate your humor…..I am way beyond the point where that is required…now I just rely on word of mouth….which is the most honest, builder of a business..your new clients come to you already expecting the right and most effective solutions
Home Jobs By Mom
May 17, 2019 at 2:49 pmWord of mouth is a great way to get new business!!
Nancy Burgess
May 14, 2019 at 8:46 amGreat resources thank you for sharing.