franchise marketingThere are now over 750,000 franchises in the US alone. Without a strong franchise marketing strategy, however, you could struggle to expand your business.

On the fence about marketing your business online? Here are eight reasons you need to add digital marketing to your business strategy. Understanding why marketing is important for your business can help you make an informed choice.

Once you discover the necessity of marketing a franchise, you can discover new ways to help your business stand out. Otherwise, consumers might not even realize your franchise exists. They might turn their time, attention, and money to your competitors instead.

Don’t let it come to that. Instead, read on to discover the importance of marketing a franchise online today!

1. Reach Your Target Audience

As part of your overall business strategy, it’s important to define your target audience. Understanding your customers will help you better appeal to their wants and needs. Then, you can customize your franchise marketing strategy with those consumers in mind.

Otherwise, consumers might decide you don’t understand their unique needs or desires. They might turn to one of your competitors instead.

Marketing a franchise online will give you an opportunity to benefit from precise targeting. You can use different platforms and strategies to reach your ideal customers.

Focusing on your distinct target audience will help you save time and money.

You can appeal to their distinct needs and show customers you understand what they’re going through. You can also show consumers you have the solutions to their problems. They might start relying on you for help as a result.

As part of your digital marketing strategy, consider using search engine marketing (SEM).

Search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising fall under the SEM umbrella. These strategies allow you to focus on your ideal customers in different ways.

With SEO, you can use keyword research to determine what your customers search for while online. Then, you can create content that answers their questions. Once they search that keyword, your website content could appear as a result.

With PPC advertising, you can create eye-catching ads that appear in front of consumers based on demographics. For example, you can focus on people who live within a certain radius from a specific franchise location.

Then, you can use location-based keywords in your ads to show them you’re nearby.

These digital marketing strategies will help you reach customers who already want your offerings. You could have an easier time driving sales if you focus on consumers who need your help.

2. Build Awareness and Recognition

If consumers don’t realize your business exists, they won’t shop from your franchise. Understanding the importance of franchise digital marketing can help you boost brand awareness.

It can take over five impressions with a customer before they realize you exist. Meanwhile, nearly 60% of people prefer shopping from brands they recognize. Boosting brand awareness can help you generate more sales.

Then, you can start gaining loyal, repeat customers. A single loyal customer is worth 10 one-time purchase customers. In fact, a 2% bump in customer retention could save you 10% in advertising costs.

In order to generate brand awareness, you need an omnichannel marketing strategy. You can reach consumers at different touchpoints to build awareness. Over time, awareness will turn into recognition.

Then, you can remain top-of-mind with consumers. You might even become a household name.

3. Generate Website Traffic

Using digital marketing strategies can also help you generate more website traffic.

An omnichannel approach will help you market your franchise on Google, social media platforms, and other sites. You can link to your website on each platform to generate traffic.

You can also use SEO and PPC to direct more people to your website.

As you generate traffic, Google will begin to take notice. It might decide to improve your search engine rankings. Higher rankings can help you generate more traffic in the future.

If you’re not on the first page of a search or marketing online, however, consumers might struggle to find your site.

4. Boost Engagement

Developing a franchise marketing strategy can also help you generate more engagement.

For example, you can give consumers more opportunities to express their opinions about your brand. Then, you can use their comments to make improvements. Improving your business could help improve your customer retention rate.

You can use social media, your blog, or other platforms to boost engagement.

5. Establish Credibility

Consumers prefer shopping from credible, trustworthy resources. Creating SEO-optimized blog content for your website can prove your credibility. You can showcase your experience and expertise in the industry.

You can also start generating customer reviews on your Google My Business listing. Positive reviews could encourage future customers to trust you. They might decide to give your brand a try as a result.

6. Get Ahead of Competitors

Establishing your credibility can help set your franchise apart from other businesses in the industry, too. You can show consumers you can offer what your competitors can’t.

Meanwhile, reaching customers on different touchpoints online will help you remain top-of-mind. Consumers might think of your business before any other.

7. Increase Leads and Sales

Recognizing the importance of franchise marketing online can also help you generate more leads and sales.

For example, you can add call to action language to your blog posts directing people to contact you. You can create PPC ads directing people to your online store, too. Meanwhile, your Google My Business listing can direct shoppers to a franchise location.

8. Improve Your ROI

As you generate more leads and sales, your ROI will improve.

Digital marketing is more cost-effective than outbound marketing strategies. You can grow your business without blowing through your marketing budget. You’ll have an easier time experiencing lasting success as a result.

Set for Success: 8 Reasons Franchise Marketing is Essential

Help more people find your businesses! Consider these eight reasons franchise marketing is so important. Recognizing the importance of digital marketing can help you develop a strategy for growth.

Add digital marketing to our business strategy today to experience these successes yourself!

Eager to get started? We can help take your marketing to the next level.

Contact us today to learn more!