How important is digital branding for businesses now that so many customer interactions happen online?

Figuring out and executing a digital brand strategy is more important than ever. Think about how you can overlay digital communication with what you have been doing so that it amplifies your messaging, what you do,why you do it, and how you help. Get help from a marketing consultant who understands your business. Date SAM every day, Sales And Marketing. 

I think what this question is REALLY trying to ask is how important is it for businesses to have a digital PRESENCE, to which there is a simple answer: VERY.

However, let's look at branding specifically. Whether you're talking online or various "real-world" mediums, the two most important things with branding are:

1) Consistency and

2) Setting a tone.

In other words, your brand needs a specific look, voice, and message, and that message needs to be the same wherever people can find you.

In terms of building your brand online, we recommend a well-designed, mobile-friendly, functional website, a presence on all major social media platforms -- as well as on any important ones within your brand's specific niche, and ideally a newsletter that regularly goes out to people who have opted in.

If you do not already have one, you should create a single logo that can be used across all channels, or -- even better -- a "robust" logo for your site and a thumbnail that can easily be identified to represent the same thing. Brand colors should always be used, and you don't want more than two or three.

The point is to get people to recognize your brand at a glance, and to trust that they are always going to get the same thing when they work with you. Obviously, a lot of that will come down to execution on the business side, but in terms of branding it's all about consistent messaging -- something that includes both words and visuals.

I think many, many previously 'successful' bricks and mortar businesses - who were so successful - they never took the digital side as serious. Many were caught with old outdated, web and social presences when the people stop showing up physically. Every time I asked what is your SEO strategy i seemed to get ' what's SEO?' ...SEO is your new ROI 

In addition to all of the comments below about SEO (which I completely agree with), it is crucial now where you create a "universe" for your clients and focus on your differentiator. This becomes your calling card for how people will be able to recognize you. The internet is now the great equalizer where small companies have the potential to have a big voice. The main component that you need begins with a brand strategy... and that's before you start implementing all of the marketing tactics.

Important is an understatement. You need the obvious items: website, hosting, social media. You need SEO. AND you need analytics to see what is happening.  

Having an updated website is a must in this day and age. If you have a Facebook page or utilize other social media, put good useful information that will keep people coming back (i.e. tips, new products, daily/weekly specials, seasonal services, etc.). Utilize your traditional media to get your name, brand, products/services, website into people's heads so they are familiar with your company and what you can do for them. Radio is an excellent way to brand your name and drive people to your online presence to find out more about you and your company. Even if they get a portion of your name, they'll search what they can remember to look up your particulars... but you have to have a good, professional website with current information, or it could have the opposite impact that you want. Combining traditional media, like radio, with online presence makes a great marketing team for increasing familiarity, trust and ultimately... repeat customers!

When you ask “What are your website targets?” most would say “To drive more traffic and conversions, isn’t that the dream?”. But do your website visitors really understand what your business is about or what makes you different? Well, this is where digital branding comes into play. Increasing traffic to a website is a pointless exercise if your visitors don’t know who you are, what you do, or what makes you different. This is one of the main reasons why traffic doesn’t convert into a sale.

The importance of digital branding comes down to the effective communication of your value to your customer. Digital branding is thinking about your potential customers – that traffic – and how we can tell them who we are, what makes us different, and what makes us better. When a website visitor understands our business, the purchase decision drastically reduces. 

Be honest and transparent in your social media. Scrap Facebook - it’s a forum of negativity. Build your community on Instagram (if there are things to sell and market visually or by video) and Twitter. Don’t pay for advertising; organic growth is always the goal.

Online is where the people are. To reach them as a small business, you need to be there, generating brand awareness, increasing leads and making sales. That’s why digital branding is so important.

A lot more important than people think! If you think about it, having an online presence (whether it is through a website, social media, etc.) is a 24/7 storefront for your business! A website in today's world is a must, as well as social media. It shows your customers and potential ones that you are up to date and that they can access your information and get in contact with you at any time!

Need help navigating the digital marketing world? Contact justQ Solutions at (570) 620-6350 to schedule a free consultation today!