Surviving During COVID-19: 3 Digital Marketing Tips for SMBs

Derek Stevenson • November 3, 2020

Many businesses took a blow from COVID-19, with third and fourth quarter preparations tossed aside to follow social distancing protocols. Although physical operations are at a standstill, there are still ways to keep your business afloat during the global pandemic.

 

Keeping your brand’s presence with your target market is necessary to survive during and after the coronavirus’ effects. Through effective digital marketing strategies, you can maintain your connection with your customers while ensuring that your company stays in good business.

 

Digital marketing during a pandemic

 

Even before COVID-19 struck the global populace, digital marketing is already making strides as a preferred method to get better brand placement. People are dependent on the internet more than ever, with the rise of mobile internet connectivity and more capable pocket devices.

 

Investing in digital marketing while your target market is using online platforms more frequently is an excellent way to keep your business afloat. For this reason, reinforcing your online presence will be the key to your company’s survival.

 

If you want to ensure your business’s growth past the pandemic times, here are three digital marketing tips you should follow:

 

1. Utilize local SEO strategies

 

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the local market is the most reliable customer demographic. This is why local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a reliable way to maintain your business’s sales figures. With people staying close to their homes, local businesses will be the preferred establishments over big-name brands. Investing in the right targeting strategies and giving your attention to your local community will allow you to have an advantage over your competitors.

 

2. Consider long-form content

 

The internet’s fast-paced nature makes people have a shorter attention span to digest as much information as possible. This is because people tend to browse media while on the go, from commuting to their office or while doing other tasks. However, the quarantine forces people to slow down and become pickier about the content they engage with. People are now more likely to take their time with their feeds since they no longer have to multitask.

 

Since people’s attention span are now more accommodating of longer content, your content should also adapt to their browsing preference. Don’t underestimate the impact of creating long-form blog posts, especially if you want to go in-depth on your topics. Although the additional word count will make it better for your SEO, make sure that you’re still observing proper blog writing practices.

 

3. Plot out short and long term goals

 

Almost all companies had to reshuffle their plans until the end of the year because of COVID-19. Its impact at the start of the second quarter forced many establishments to halt operations indefinitely or shut down completely. This trend made business owners cautious about settling down on long-term plans.

 

Partly because different states and nations have varying responses to their respective economies, it was challenging to make drastic changes to one's company. Now that most markets are finally stabilizing, business owners can finally settle on long-term plans for their company’s future. However, that doesn’t mean you should let go of your short-term goals during the pandemic.

 

It’s best to use a combination of reactionary and pre-planned tactics for your marketing. For example, now’s the time to target keywords that will receive a spike of search queries due to COVID-19. In contrast, you should look at long-term changes to your marketing funnels to cover as much ground as possible. Doing these small preparations for a post-COVID environment will help your company make the right responses to your customers.

 

Conclusion

 

Digital marketing is an effective method for SMBs to gain leverage over larger brands. Since COVID-19 affects businesses and sectors differently, you may be in an advantageous position, unlike your competitors. It’s best to dedicate your efforts to your online presence by partnering with the right firms to extend your reach on different digital platforms.

 

Envision Marketing Pros is an SEO agency in Houston, Texas that specializes in different SEO services. We can revitalize your brand’s online image through website design, local SEO solutions, web hosting, and more. Contact us today to learn more about what our marketing specialists can offer you!

Freedom Ain't Free

By Derek Stevenson • June 20, 2023
As a Black digital marketing agency owner, I am excited to wish everyone a Happy Juneteenth! Today is a time for us to celebrate the end of slavery and to honor the resilience and strength of the Black community. It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality and justice for Black people. One way we can make a difference is by supporting Black-owned businesses. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Black entrepreneurs face unique challenges when starting and growing their businesses, and the impact of COVID-19 has made things even more difficult. By intentionally seeking out and purchasing from Black-owned businesses, we can help address the wealth gap and promote economic empowerment within the Black community. It's important to note that supporting Black-owned businesses is not just a one-time act of solidarity. It is a commitment to building a more equitable and just society that extends beyond Juneteenth. One way to make this commitment is to actively seek out and patronize Black-owned businesses in our communities. This could be as simple as buying your coffee from a Black-owned café, ordering takeout from a Black-owned restaurant, or purchasing products from a Black-owned retailer. Another way to support Black-owned businesses is by using social media to amplify their voices and promote their products and services. By sharing posts, leaving reviews, and tagging Black-owned businesses in our content, we can help increase their visibility and attract more customers. It's important to remember that our support has a real impact on these businesses and can make all the difference in their success. Beyond supporting Black-owned businesses, we must also continue to learn and educate ourselves about the experiences and contributions of Black people throughout history. This includes engaging with literature, art, and scholarship by Black authors, artists, and academics. It also means actively seeking out diverse perspectives and being willing to have difficult conversations about race and racism. At my digital marketing agency, we are committed to promoting the voices and experiences of Black people. We recognize that the marketing industry has a long history of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and exclusionary practices. That's why we work to ensure that our campaigns are inclusive, representative, and reflective of the diversity of our society. We also strive to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed. Whether it's through social media campaigns , website design and development, or search engine optimization , we believe that our work can help make a real difference in the success of Black-owned businesses. In conclusion, Juneteenth is a time for us to celebrate the end of slavery and the strength of the Black community. It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality and justice for Black people. By supporting Black-owned businesses, educating ourselves, and promoting diversity and inclusion in our marketing practices, we can help create a more just and equitable future for all.
Girl with red hero mask and red boxing gloves.

PPC vs. SEO: The Epic Showdown for Your Business Growth

By Derek Stevenson • June 6, 2023
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the most electrifying battle in the world of digital marketing! In one corner, we have Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, offering instant gratification like a refreshing gulp of iced tea on a scorching summer day. And in the other corner, we have Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the strategic mastermind that plays the long game like a chess grandmaster. Get ready to witness the showdown between PPC and SEO and discover how they can fuel your business growth! PPC: Fasten Your Seatbelts for Instant Boost Looking for a rocket-propelled boost to your online visibility? PPC advertising is here to turbocharge your marketing efforts! With PPC, you can place targeted ads on search engine result pages, social media platforms, and other websites. It's like strapping a nitro booster to your business's digital presence! 
Photo of a woman wearing a cape flying out of a laptop

Local SEO: Unleash Your Inner Neighborhood Hero and Dominate the Local Market!

By Derek Stevenson • May 30, 2023
Welcome to the world of local SEO, where you have the power to become the neighborhood hero and win over more customers than ever before! In this digital era, people rely on search engines to discover local businesses, making local search optimization a game-changer for your success. So, buckle up and get ready to learn how to charm the socks off your local market and watch your customer base skyrocket. Let's dive into the art of local SEO and uncover the secrets to becoming the undisputed hero of your neighborhood.
Photograph of a man with a laptop doing an SEO audit

The Website Audit: The Spy Mission You Need for a Kickass Website

By Derek Stevenson • May 23, 2023
Welcome, fellow digital adventurers! Today, we're embarking on a thrilling journey that will unlock the secrets to creating a kickass website that leaves your competition in the dust. Get ready to undertake a website audit, the ultimate spy mission for online success!  Picture this: you're a secret agent infiltrating the digital realm, armed with the power of data and statistics. Your mission? To identify the weak spots in your website's armor and transform them into strategic advantages. Let's dive in! Uncover Hidden Opportunities: A website audit allows you to unearth untapped potential. By analyzing your site's performance metrics, you can identify areas that need improvement, such as slow loading times or poor user experience. Did you know that 40% of users abandon a website that takes more than three seconds to load? Don't let your site become a casualty of the digital battlefield. Outsmart Your Competition: In the cutthroat world of online marketing, knowledge is power. A website audit enables you to spy on your competitors' strategies and find opportunities to outshine them. By analyzing their keywords, backlinks, and content, you can gain insights into their tactics and devise a counterattack that leaves them wondering what hit them. Boost Your SEO Superpowers: Search engine optimization (SEO) is the key to unlocking visibility and driving organic traffic to your website. An audit will help you identify SEO weaknesses, such as broken links or missing meta tags, that might be sabotaging your search engine rankings. Remember, 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results—don't let your website get lost in the shadows. Now that you've tasted the excitement of a website audit, why stop there? Envision Marketing is here to guide you through the treacherous digital landscape. We offer a full suite of services to help you dominate the online realm. From web design that wows to SEO strategies that skyrocket your rankings, our team of experts are ready to join forces with you. Need eye-catching graphic design or high-quality printing to give your brand the edge it deserves? We've got you covered! But the adventure doesn't end here. Join our Marketing Box , a monthly newsletter packed with the latest industry trends, exclusive tips, and mind-blowing insights. Sign up today and embark on a never-ending quest for digital success! Remember, every great hero needs a trusted ally. Envision Marketing is your partner in conquering the digital landscape. Contact us now and let's create a website that turns heads, captures hearts, and propels your business to new heights! Ready to unleash your website's true potential? Let's get started! Try our FREE local search and website audit today!
Photograph of a woman falling asleep at her desk with a cup of coffee and an open laptop.

Don't Let Your Landing Pages Be a Snoozefest: How to Design Pages That Pop and Convert

By Derek Stevenson • May 16, 2023
Hey there, digital dreamers! Are your landing pages putting your visitors to sleep? In the bustling world of online marketing, it's crucial to grab attention and keep it. With short attention spans and countless distractions, your landing page needs to be a real head-turner. Fear not! Envision Marketing, your go-to digital marketing agency in Houston, TX, is here to help you design landing pages that pop and convert. Buckle up and get ready to transform your snoozefest into a conversion extravaganza!

SEO Keywords: The Secret Sauce to Ranking High on Google (and Making More Money!)

By Derek Stevenson • May 9, 2023
Hey there, business owners! Are you tired of feeling like you're the only one who doesn't speak Google's language? Do you want to stop feeling like your website is a lonely island in the vast sea of search results? Well, my friend, it's time to unlock the power of SEO keywords! Keywords are like the magic words that make your website more visible to search engines. They're like the secret sauce that turns your website from bland to grand! But how do you identify the right keywords, you ask? Fear not, we've got you covered! Keyword research is like detective work, except instead of finding clues to solve a murder, we're finding the best words to help your website rank higher on Google. And trust me, we're much less creepy than a detective with a magnifying glass.
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PPC Advertising: The Superpower You Need to Skyrocket Your Sales

By Derek Stevenson • May 1, 2023
Are you tired of your sales growth being stuck in neutral? Are you struggling to find new customers? If so, then it's time to tap into the superpower of PPC advertising. PPC, or pay-per-click, is a form of online advertising where advertisers pay each time someone clicks on one of their ads. It's an incredibly effective way to drive targeted traffic to your website and generate leads and sales. One of the most common platforms for PPC advertising is search engines, such as Google and Bing. When someone types a query into a search engine, the search engine returns a list of results. At the top and bottom of the page, you'll usually see a few ads. These ads are typically labeled as such, so users can tell them apart from organic results.
Buckle Up: Custom Web Design Is Your Ticket to a High Octane Online Business!

Buckle Up: Custom Web Design Is Your Ticket to a High Octane Online Business!

By Derek Stevenson • April 19, 2023
Hey there, fellow internet adventurer! Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life because custom web design is your ticket to a thriving online business!

What is Local SEO and Why Does it Matter for My Business?

By Derek Stevenson • April 11, 2023
Hey, fellow business owners! Are you sick of being lost in the vast weirdness of the internet? Well, fear not! Local SEO is here to guide you to the top of the search results and boost your sales like never before! Local SEO is like a compass for your website and online presence. It helps you show up at the top of search results when someone in your area is looking for what you offer. Think of it as a map that leads potential customers right to your door (or website, if we're being technical). And if you're feeling a bit lost in the world of local SEO, Envision Marketing is here to help! Our team of experts knows all the ins and outs of local SEO and can help you get started on the right foot. By optimizing for local SEO, you'll increase your visibility and attract a targeted audience who's more likely to be interested in what you have to offer. It's like having a big neon sign that says, "Hey, come check us out!" (but without the tacky neon lights). And the best part? Local SEO is cost-effective compared to traditional marketing methods. So, you can save your hard-earned cash and invest it in other important areas of your business, like buying a pool table for the break room or upgrading your coffee machine. Plus, local SEO gives small and medium-sized businesses a fighting chance against the big boys. Since local search results prioritize businesses located in the area, you can stand out and show the world what you're made of. Take that, corporate overlords! But wait, there's more! Local SEO also helps enhance your online reputation. When people see you at the top of the search results, they automatically assume you're the real deal. And if you have positive reviews from satisfied customers, it's like icing on the cake (mmmm, cake). And speaking of cake (I'm clearly hungry), let's talk about how local SEO can boost your sales. When potential customers are searching for a product or service in their area, they're more likely to make a purchase from a business that shows up at the top of the search results. So, by optimizing for local SEO, you're not only increasing your visibility, but you're also increasing your chances of making a sale. And if you're not sure where to start with local SEO, don't worry! Envision Marketing can help. We'll work with you to identify the keywords and phrases that are most relevant to your business and optimize your website and online presence accordingly. We'll also help you build and maintain your online reputation, so you can stand out from the competition and attract more customers. In conclusion, local SEO is a powerful tool for boosting your sales and gaining a competitive edge in your local market. And with Envision Marketing by your side, you'll have all the guidance and expertise you need to succeed. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get started and take your business to the next level! 
4 SEO Myths That You Should Ignore: Photo of man typing on laptop showing search engine

4 SEO Myths That You Should Ignore

By Derek Stevenson • December 30, 2020
A lot of myths exist about different things. Although many of them are relatively harmless, you should not ignore those that involve SEO. Not familiarizing yourself with these common SEO misconceptions will lead you to waste your precious time, effort, and money. To ensure that you will use your resources wisely this coming new year, here are the truths you should know about SEO: Myth 1: SEO is no longer relevant The "death" of SEO has been a topic going around for years now, and yet it is still alive and kicking today. People who propagate this myth are usually those who have not yet discovered the right way to utilize its effectiveness. Despite using popular keywords, many businesses do not end up on the first pages of major search engines due to high competition, not because SEO is dead. Some also say that paid media is slowly taking over organic searches. However, you should know that search engines do not just freely give away these top spots. It will still take a business a combination of different elements to secure their placements. If you are wondering if you should still invest your money in SEO this 2021, the answer is yes. It may be tough to rank on top, but you can get the results you want with the right tools and execution. Myth 2: SEO rankings are based on the age of the domain A domain's age does not always equate with its rankings, so this assumption is a myth. A website's age may affect its rank, but it is not the sole basis. Having a longstanding website gives you more opportunities for backlinking, but that means that you have to put in the work to acquire those backlinks in the first place. Your website's age alone will not automatically put it in the top spot. You will need to consider other factors to effectively boost your online presence. In other words, you still need the latest SEO techniques and best practices to ensure your website makes it to the top of search results. You will also need to properly utilize them to improve your reputation, which is what will ultimately bring more organic traffic to your website. Myth 3: Backlinks do not matter Backlinks serve as a signal to search engines that your online content is supported by other websites. Some do not believe in the power that backlinks have, but they act as a vote of confidence between sites. Having backlinks for your website can help you build traffic and credibility, thereby increasing your chances of ranking on search engines. However, having plenty of backlinks does not guarantee that your website will rank better. You need to ensure that you prioritize quality over quantity. Remember, the point is to get support from other established domains. If those other domains are not credible, then all those backlinks will provide little to no benefit. Myth 4: You can keep ignoring the image alt tags Search engine crawlers read your images' alt text to learn what they are about. If you keep on ignoring them, you will fail to improve your ranking. People use keywords when searching for images. When they see your photo on the search engine results page and click on it, it can lead them to your website. Do not take the image alt text options for granted. Instead, use them to your advantage. Conclusion SEO is only as effective as how you make it to be. Consider these new truths you learned about SEO when making your 2021 strategy. Finally, keep your eyes open for more developments that could affect your rankings, and make sure to respond to them appropriately. Need local SEO solutions for your business? Talk to us at Envision Marketing. We can help make your brand look better, rank better and sell better. We are committed to providing our clients with opportunities for growth and success when it comes to their business goals. Contact us at 713-364-8815 to learn how we can help.
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