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16 Common Digital Marketing Problems That Businesses Face

March 13, 2024
An image showing a blue circle in the centre with the writing 'digital marketing' in the middle. It is surrounded byb smaller blue circles with white graphics.

Marketing. It’s the lifeblood of every business. But let’s be real, it’s not always smooth sailing. Those challenges and obstacles? They come with the territory. 

Struggling to crack the code of social media? Battling with lacklustre messaging? You’re not alone. Countless businesses face these common problems in their marketing efforts. 

But fear not! Here at CREATIVE in TiME, we’ve heard it all. From the setbacks to the stumbles, we understand the struggles you face. And guess what? It’s completely normal! 

There are solutions to it all. In this article, we’re diving deep into 16 common digital marketing problems and how we can inject life back into your marketing strategy. Buckle up because we’re about to shake things up! 

1. “Our current social media is rubbish, so we’ve put a hold on it. Essentially, we are not using social media marketing”

It’s okay to feel discouraged, but don’t give up on social media. Social media is one of the best ways to put your business out there, whether you are selling a product, a service or something else entirely! 

The likelihood is that your social media strategy needs a refresh and some innovative ideas.  

Psssst…it’s kind of our thing. 

Tip: Find your target audience, create engaging content, and spark conversations. Make sure that the content you are creating hits the right notes, and ensure that you are utilising the correct platforms. 

We can help you to do this! 

2. “We’re not ready to tell everyone about us. There’s this one thing we’re testing on organic search, but it’s not working”

Transparency and effective communication are vital for successful marketing. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes—if you find a great-looking business but cannot find any information about them online, it may cause you to look elsewhere for a more reputable company. 

Tip: Consider balancing sharing valuable information about your offerings and retaining some surprise or exclusivity. Monitor the results closely, analyse feedback, and adapt accordingly. 

3. “I’ve got a nice website, but nothing’s happening. The enquiries aren’t coming in like I thought they would”

A visually appealing website is essential, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. There’s no point in having a great website if no one can find it! 

Tip: Ensure that your website is optimised for search engines, user-friendly, and has clear calls to action. Additionally, focus on driving targeted traffic through SEO and online advertising campaigns. 

If this sounds scary, don’t panic! You can contact a digital marketing agency such as CREATIVE in TiME, which can do it for you. 

4. “What we do is hard to explain; we’re so unique that people just don’t know what’s good for them”

If you find communicating your unique value proposition challenging, try using clear and concise messaging. Ensure that your terminology is easy to understand and accessible to everyone. If people can’t understand you, then they will not know why they should be using your business. 

Tip: Highlight your products or services’ benefits and outcomes, and consider using case studies or testimonials to showcase real-world results. 

All of this makes sure that the right people see you. 

5. “We are not getting found online. Quite simply.”

Improving your online visibility is key to increasing your reach and attracting relevant customers. It is vital that your business can be found online as it is the first place which most people will go when they are in need of a new product/service. 

Tip: Invest in search engine optimisation (SEO) strategies, local business directories, online advertising, and content marketing to enhance your online presence. 

6. “I’ve got no interest in digital marketing. I don’t get it, and I don’t want to get it”

While marketing might not be your passion, understanding its importance and seeking professional help can make a significant difference.  

Tip: Consider working with a marketing agency or consultant who can guide you and handle the marketing aspects you don’t enjoy. 

7. “I want to put myself out there a bit, but I don’t know how. Who’s going to care about my story?”

Everyone has a story to tell, and sharing your unique journey can help build a connection with your audience. People like people. It’s that simple! 

Tip: Identify your target audience’s pain points, interests, and values, and craft an authentic and compelling narrative that resonates with them. 

8. “In short, we need sales. We’ve grown from word of mouth and referrals until now”

Word-of-mouth is powerful, but it’s crucial to diversify your marketing efforts to ensure sustainable growth. Not everyone who has used your business will tell other people about you, so it is important that people can find you on their own. 

Tip: Consider exploring digital advertising, content marketing, lead generation campaigns, and partnerships to expand your customer base and increase sales. 

9. “We want to start a whole new arm of the company, but we don’t know where to begin”

Launching a new venture within your company requires careful planning and market research. It is important to ensure that your marketing has the ability to adapt and grow to incorporate the new arm of the business. 

Tip: Identify the target audience, assess competition, develop a strong value proposition, and create a comprehensive marketing strategy to introduce your new arm to the market successfully. 

10. My website is not working. I’m thinking about investing in a new one. This will be my third”

Before investing in a new website, evaluate your current website’s functionality and performance. Often, creating a whole new website will do more harm than good if it is unnecessary! 

Tip: Consider conducting a thorough website audit to identify any issues or areas for improvement. It may be more cost-effective to optimise and redesign your existing website rather than starting from scratch. 

If you need assistance, why not get a free SEO audit from CREATIVE in TiME? 

11. “Our administrator has taken on our marketing, but it’s not working”

Marketing requires a strategic and dedicated approach. Whilst your administrator is doing their best, they may be struggling to keep up with the time demands of digital marketing, especially if they have no training or experience in the matter. 

Tip: Consider hiring a professional marketer or outsourcing your marketing activities to a specialised agency with the expertise and resources to create and execute effective marketing campaigns tailored to your business goals. An added bonus of this is that your wonderful administrator will have much more time to focus on other aspects of the business. 

12. “The business is growing really fast, but we’re not sure which service or product to focus on promoting. There’s loads we can offer”

As your business expands, it’s essential to prioritise and focus your marketing efforts.  

Tip: Conduct market research, analyse customer feedback, and identify which services or products have the highest demand and profitability. Develop targeted marketing campaigns to promote and maximise the potential of your key offerings. 

Business growth is ideal (it’s what we are all hoping for, right?), but if it is growing too fast for your marketing team to handle, consider bringing in an external marketing team who can create a bespoke strategy to incorporate your top services/products. 

13. “I need help with brand messaging. I’m unsure our current messaging is speaking to our client/prospect”

Messaging plays a vital role in attracting and engaging your target audience. In the modern day, values and morals can influence a person’s desire to purchase your business.  

Tip: Analyse your customer personas and their pain points, desires, and motivations. Craft compelling and customer-centric messaging that effectively communicates how your products or services can solve their problems and fulfil their needs.

14. “My business is dependent on Etsy or Amazon. The algorithm has changed, and I’m finding that it’s not working anymore. I need to make my website work”

Relying solely on third-party platforms can leave your business vulnerable to sudden changes. Ensuring your marketing is working on all platforms means that you won’t be caught off guard if there are changes to external platforms. 

Tip: Shift the focus to building your own online presence and driving traffic to your website. Invest in SEO, content marketing, and other strategies to increase organic traffic and reduce dependence on external platforms. 

15. “Our branding identity has changed over the last few years depending on who has been performing our marketing, so it’s really inconsistent”

Consistency is key in branding. You want your business to look the same across the internet; this includes having your brand colours and logos present and in line everywhere. 

Tip: Conduct a thorough brand audit, define your brand guidelines, and ensure that all marketing materials, from your website to social media posts, reflect a cohesive and consistent brand identity. Consider working with a professional designer or branding agency to establish a strong and consistent visual identity. 

16. “The local competition is ranking above me, and I don’t know how to get above them”

If you are a service-based business, your main marketing goal will likely be to get found in your local area, especially if you have some local competitors whom you want to rank above.  

The easiest solution to outrank your local competition is to employ local SEO strategies, but this can be tricky if you are not well-versed in digital marketing.  

Tip: Optimise your website for local search terms, create and manage a Google My Business profile, generate positive customer reviews, and build local citations. Additionally, consider collaborations and partnerships with local influencers or businesses to boost your visibility. 

Overcome Your Digital Marketing Problems With CREATIVE in TiME

In a nutshell, marketing challenges are quite common, especially if you are trying to handle them on your own!  

They can definitely be overcome with the right strategies and a positive mindset. By tackling these 16 common problems head-on and implementing some effective marketing tactics, you can set yourself on the path towards growth.  

So, let’s lace up those marketing boots, face these challenges together, and unlock the doors to success! 

Get in touch with CREATIVE in TiME today to find out more. 

By Andrea Warner

Award Winning Business builder, Marketing guru, franchise creator, 20 years of business experience in B2C and B2B, Networking Queen. Brings humour and laughter to every meeting. Why wouldn’t you?

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