You are no doubt aware that our digital devices and online media platforms are consuming more and more of our attention. More than 80 percent of us use a smartphone every day. We count on our mobile devices for information and inspiration.

The average consumer conducts dozens of searches every day. Rather than watch commercials or read a magazine, most of us gather the same kind of information on search engines, as well as social and online media outlets - Where should I eat? Can I find this for a better price? I need a local dentist.

These moments are big opportunities for your brand to win people over and influence their purchases through digital marketing.

If your business doesn’t have a digital marketing strategy for 2017, here are five reasons to get started right away.

1. It’s easier than you think
The world of digital marketing was built on low barriers to entry.  Rather than spending thousands of dollars on design, content creation and adspend in the traditional marketing world, many companies are finding success with simple ads using images of their products and spending a little as $5 to $10 dollars a day.  

2. It’s flexible
Imagine your company has decided to make an investment in a print campaign. After a few months of planning and working with designers, you settle on an ad you love. What happens if your ad falls flat? The flexibility of a digital campaign means you can evaluate a campaign after a few days, making changes to copy and images as the campaign progresses.

3. It’s more cost-effective
Had someone told you 20 years ago you would only have to pay for advertising if it brought someone into your location, you may have laughed them right out the front door. Luckily, this is exactly the situation with most digital marketing. You only pay for an ad if a potential customer clicks and comes to your virtual storefront. 

4. It's aimed at advanced targeting
If traditional media marketing is all about casting a wide net to catch as many fish as possible, digital marketing is like using a specialty lure that only works on one kind of fish. Technology is allowing for the kind of specific targeting that marketers have been dreaming about for years. Want to show an ad to people in a specific neighborhood that make over $150,000 per year and have shown an interest in moving? Now you can target specific audiences with exactly the right kind of message, often for pennies per click.   

5. It’s measurable
In the past, measuring the success of marketing campaigns was kind of like reading the tea leaves. Did that ad really work, or was there some other factor that led to the increase in sales? Google AdWords, email marketing, Facebook and other digital marketing platforms allow you to see, in great detail, how well a campaign is driving customers to your site, how interested they are in your product or offer and, ultimately, how many sales were driven. 

I hope this inspires you to make digital marketing a priority in 2017. If you have questions about developing a digital strategy for your business contact Wilmington Design to learn how our team can help.  

Together we’ll make 2017 your most successful year yet!

Bill Hunter and the WDC team believe that honest business and innovative design go hand-in-hand. Their talented team of designers, marketers and developers are as diverse as our work. They offer a range of services, including marketing strategy, branding and creative web and application development, as well as digital marketing solutions specific to your business. Contact Bill at [email protected] or visit  www.wilmingtondesignco.com.