Small Business Owner: Are YOU Ready for 2012

A Warm Hello to all my readers, small business owners, online entrepreneurs and passionate professionals.

It’s the best time of the year, I am sure you all are celebrating the festive season and would also have many exciting plans for the coming year. Let’s start the New Year with this rejoicing spirit – and be ready to see its impact on your business as well.

Here are few web trends for 2012:

Mobile Technologies – The rise of mobile technologies and its craze in masses indicates that in 2012, mobile marketing do have fairly good opportunities.
Action: consider investing in a mobile friendly version of your website, if you don’t have one.

Social = Global – Social media for business is no more an optional thing, it’s a must to reach out your end users and target audience. People have developed a habit of social networking sites and they are curious to know what’s going out there with the world.
Action: Brand yourself through Social Media Sites.

Local Search Market – It’s always good to go global, but don’t forget to list your firm/company in local search market. People around you should know you and your work.
Action: Club your keywords with your geographical area and get maximum search engine visibility.

Monitoring the footprints – Practicing good internet marketing strategies will certainly give nice outcome, but it is better to observe how this part is enhancing your efforts and offering fruitful result. In 2012, you cannot depend on only single source like SEO/ social media/ text content/ print media/ videos, etc. Instead blend each and everything beautifully to get outstanding end results.
Action: Aim to be a good learner, practice what you learn, keep an eye on the results and plan accordingly.

Interactivity is the name of the game – Remember your customer is a real person so your websites/blogs or your business as a whole – should be interactive. Try to include images, videos, vibrant colors to your websites/blogs and your other web presence. Your offers must have the catch to attract clients and your branding should be based on a solid research and marketing trends.
Action: Do plan some discount coupons, remarkable offers and few add-on gifts/services to maintain customer loyalty.

Bonus tip:
Under-promised and Over-delivered – Yes, that’s right, don’t show the fancy part of your product/services but get realistic and deliver surprises, make your peers happy. Think beyond limitations, brainstorm and be creative with your marketing and other promotional stuff.
Action: Don’t miss any chance to DELIGHT your customers.

To sum up:

There are many opportunities waiting for you out there. How is your professional group planning for 2012′s Internet marketing initiatives? I’d love to get in touch with proactive people like YOU.

Be smart, creative, get yourself educated or let us help you.

To Your Success,

Ghazal Alvi