Despite living in a digital age where consumers’ first point of call is the internet, the Approved Index revealed that some 1.98 million SMEs currently have no online presence, costing them a mammoth £343 billion every year.
Simply introducing a website could equate to an average uplift in turnover of £173,769 per business.
If something so achievable can inject much-needed revenue into the UK economy why are so many businesses reluctant to take the leap?
This is something digital marketing agency owner and author of the book ‘Get Online – The 6 steps to building a digital marketing pipeline for non-tech savvy’, Stacey Kehoe is determined to change.
Kehoe passionately believes that SMEs should be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to rise above the noise, stand out from the crowd and ultimately be given every opportunity to succeed in business. ‘Running a business can be so rewarding but it can also be extremely challenging at times. I don’t want SMEs to fear ‘digital’ and that was a huge motivation to me writing this book’.
The easiest way for small businesses to get massive exposure is by being online.
For Kehoe, the statistics speak for themselves. A report from Approved Index uncovered some alarming fact about the state of UK SMEs and their online efforts:
– 1.98 million SMEs do not have websites, costing them over £343 billion each year
– Introducing a website could equate to an average uplift in revenue of £173,769 per business
– Small-sized businesses stand to make the most significant growth in revenue
– £106 billion per year if they introduce a website
The reality is that small businesses can not afford to be left behind. Competition is rife, and business owners can no longer rely on a unique idea to get the attention and acquisitions they need.
However, it is not only small business that can get left behind because of their reluctance to innovate. Eighty-eight per cent of the Fortune 500 firms that existed in 1955 no longer exist. Once powerful companies such as Blockbuster, Toys r us and Kodak are no longer dominate forces in their respective industries. These companies have either gone bankrupt, been acquired by a bigger company or have tumbled from the top Fortune 500 list. They failed to innovate and future-proof their businesses, which subsequently resulted in their demise.
Kehoe fears small business are not innovating and embracing the right talent to grow their digital footprint. She believes that the digital landscape has never been more equal and is bursting with opportunities for businesses of all sizes to make an impact.
In the past, businesses would have to spend millions to run a prime time TV advert or create a billboard advert. Although these will guarantee high volumes when it comes to circulation, tracking the results can be challenging and retargeting the people who engaged with the adverts was almost impossible.
Digital marketing negates all of these issues. The rise of YouTube means that a piece of content can reach hundreds of millions at a fraction of the cost of a big budget TV advert. A Facebook ad will enable a business to construct their own terms when it comes to demographic targeting and allows retargeting once prospects have signalled interest. Billboards do not allow that luxury.
In her book ‘Get Online – The 6 steps to building a digital marketing pipeline for non-tech savvy’, Kehoe shares her six simple steps to enable small business owners to build an effective digital marketing strategy that will help them acquire top quality leads.
Get Online will help small business owners to:
– Debunk common misconceptions about digital marketing and social media
– Plan an effective, sustainable lead-generating marketing strategy in 6 easy steps
– Understand how much they should spend on digital marketing to get results
– Create content that really connects with their audience
– Nurture prospects and convert them into paying customers
In preparation for her book, Author, Stacey Kehoe interviewed 100 business owners.
“The 3 biggest challenges for SME’s is a lack of inbound leads, lack of marketing budget and a concern that digital marketing is too complicated. While conducting this research for the book, I realised small business owners try to wear too many hats and end up delegating digital tasks to junior members of staff just because they ‘know how to use’ social media. This is a huge mistake for many businesses. Being an avid social media user does not make team members well positioned to run an effective digital marketing strategy that will drive revenue.”
For a simple approach to digital marketing, check out Stacey Kehoe’s new book: Get Online – 6 simple steps to building a digital marketing strategy.
Get Online is now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Online-launching-marketing strategy/dp/1781333459/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1551782923&sr=8-1
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About The Author: Stacey Kehoe
Stacey Kehoe has worked in digital marketing and brand development for the last ten years. She’s a podcast host and editor of the SME marketing magazine The Vault, which has gained her media recognition and award nominations. Since establishing her first business, digital agency Brandlective Communications Ltd, in 2012, Stacey has built over 500 websites, brands, and marketing campaigns.
Regularly hired as a consultant, social media trainer, and speaker, Stacey developed the Six-Step Digital Marketing Methodology after being approached by client after client let down by other agencies who failed to implement a strategy that generated the desired results. This methodology was published in her book ‘Get Online: 6 simple steps to launching a digital marketing strategy for the non-tech savvy’ and is used at Brandlective to facilitate campaign development and enhance the speed at which their clients gain measurable results.
Stacey’s vision is that those with an entrepreneurial spirit should have the resources to rise above the noise, stand out from the crowd, and show their audience who they really are. These beliefs tie in with her commitment to equality.
Stacey is leading a movement called #1MillionDays: An initiative to reduce inequality through social, economic, and political inclusion of all people.
