In today’s totally digital and instant-information world, businesses who do not have a successful online marketing strategy are going to be completely left behind. With Google processing 40,000 searches every second, which translates to 3.5 billion searches every day, or 1.2 trillion search every year, and conducting 70 percent all online searches, businesses need to be on board — and that’s why businesses from pharmacies and retail stores to scientific research and development companies need online marketers.
Many companies have already recognized the importance of online marketing in their overall promotional strategy. Companies that are making plans to follow suit will be looking for the following skills and abilities in the online marketer they’re looking to hire.
Web Design
Many companies will be looking for someone who knows how to design websites, install widgets, update content and layout, and make sure their website is mobile friendly, easy to navigate and professionally represents the company to the Internet world. With all the competition inherent to being on the Internet, you need to be able to help set the company that hires you ahead of everyone else. This can be done through using video marketing, graphics and other content, and making sure that their website does precisely what it and its customers need it to do.
Social Media Management (Twitter, Facebook, G+, Linkedin)
Social media management is hugely important. Not only is it the best way to get your new employer noticed on the “Innerwebs” for the positive, an effective online marketer must also be on the lookout for and even know how to stave off the effects of negative press from taking hold. An effective online marketer needs to be up on the strategies that will help his/her company make the most of the online opportunities. You will also need to know which social media platforms will work best for your company, and how to use the best parts of those platforms.
Data Analysis
One aspect of online management that can’t be neglected is data analysis. Companies need online marketers who know how to use data analysis (eg: Google Analytics, Woopra and others), to track who is visiting the site when, from where, and how they interact with the site. You need to be able to understand and follow click throughs from your social media efforts. Data analysis will not only help you keep tabs on how your company’s site and social media efforts are working, but also help you target other markets or demographics that you may not have seen before, or other marketing angles you may need to take advantage of.
Knowing How to Use Google AdWords
Online marketing can’t always be done for free. For some companies, knowing how to effectively use keyword strategies and pay-per-click opportunities can generate a revenue stream that is often underestimated to start. An effective online marketer will understand the value of Google AdWords and others, and how such things fit into his/her company’s website overall advertising strategy.
Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization isn’t just about using keywords and phrases a hundred times in a page. A successful online marketer knows how to effectively use keywords and phrases to attract search engine crawlers, but also new strategies such as relevant content, backlinking, videos and graphics, and mobile friendliness.
It’s not just about what you say anymore. Search engines are looking for so many things now to rank sites, it’s crucial that online marketers know these new trends and stay on top of them to give their company a decided online advantage over their competition.
Effective Content Marketing
Effective content marketing means not only understanding new search engine optimization strategies, but also how to write effective content for the website and blog. Keeping your company’s website current and active is part of an effective overall online marketing strategy. One of the challenges is balancing the need to satisfy the search engines and drawing people to your site, and satisfying clients with the right content and the right style of content once those potential clients reach your company’s site.
Online marketing is here to stay, with companies expected to spend more on such strategies than in past years. This is where a successful online marketer will be able to help generate revenue with the power of the Internet. With these six skills you will bring value to your company and have the satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off with increased web traffic and increased sales.
