It would be an understatement to say that the Internet has revolutionized how consumers interact with businesses. More than half of those who search online for information say that their smartphones helped them discover new brands and products. Why would you settle for a digital presence and protocols that are merely adequate? You can use digital marketing to your advantage, whether you run a startup that provides commercial HVAC services or a legacy company that administers FINRA license exams.
Retail Hardware Stores
You may be a mom-and pop hardware store that sells mulch in your neighborhood. You might manage a regional franchise that has a strong presence. You can bet on it that potential buyers will click and swipe to find your products, from lawnmowers to tools and everything between.
Create and implement a digital marketing strategy that will make your company name and image stand out. Digital marketing is used by the major players like Lowe’s, Home Depot and others to get to the top of the search engine results. Make sure that your hardware store is not overlooked. What is your first step? Your first step? Claim your business and improve your website. You can then move onto other digital marketing essentials, such as email marketing.
Real Estate Agents
Many people believe that it is easy to sell and show houses. They don’t consider the time between listing a house and closing. Fannie Mae reports that the average home takes 46 days to sell. Realtors are required to have multiple deals on the go at all times. They might be forced to wait for more than a whole month before they receive a commission check.
Real estate agents should prioritize social media posts, links, and comments in order to enhance their digital marketing persona. What better way is there to show that you are able to sell homes, than by sharing an image of your recent buyers or sellers after a successful closing? A digital marketing strategy that is up to date can also help you highlight the amazing properties you have listed at incredible prices.
Medical Practitioners
If someone searches for “Is there an area medical weight loss center?” or “Where can I locate a travel nurse company?” they expect immediate answers. You need to make sure that your name is listed as a medical professional, such as a nurse, doctor or nurse practitioner. If you don’t, your competitors may end up with money you would prefer to receive.
You may want to know more about telemedicine, and how healthcare has moved to the virtual world. Who knew digital marketing would make you irresistible to patients looking for medical professionals and put you at the forefront of their minds? You can increase your patient base by offering online solutions without overburdening your staff.
Insurance Providers
You will see a pop-up ad or banner from a global or national insurance company soon. These ads are used to drive local businesses out of business. Even if your insurance company is geographically restricted and focuses on a small community, you will be able to beat the big players at their own game.
Google Adwords is a digital marketing tool that can be very effective. It allows you to bid for different keywords. Your ad could appear before, beside or below the organic search results when searchers enter keywords on their laptops or phones. Want an Adwords trick? Connect your campaign’s keywords with specific locations. Use the colloquial language of your audience. If your area is called the “northside” of town, then you may want to include “northside.”
Roofing and Siding
Roofs are not permanent and do not last forever. Roofs, especially those made of shingles, need to be completely replaced every 20-30 years. It is not surprising that homeowners and building owners are looking for the best deals possible, as the average cost of a roof replacement can range from $7,000 to $10,000.
You want Internet users to be comfortable calling you for a quote and a roof inspection. Why let your competitors provide the public with a stream of videos, testimonials, references and accreditations from their YouTube channels? Prepare your camera and join the digital marketing wave. All you need is an iPhone or Android to get started.
Tourist Agencies
Even families and individuals with modest incomes enjoy at least one vacation per year. Travel is a priority for Millennials. A Travelport survey found that Millennials spend around $5,000 per year on vacations. This figure is conservative. Many Millennials are willing to spend more money on their hard-earned vacations in order to visit the hottest destinations around the world.
Use digital marketing to your benefit, whether you are trying to attract young professionals or feel that your service as a tourist agency is more suited for Baby Boomers. Give them what they’re looking for. Showcase where your clients have been and bombard popular platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, with stunning images. You may be surprised by how quickly consumers who are eager to take a vacation respond.
Plumbing Experts
What happens when someone has a blocked drain? They log on to their device after trying out over-the-counter remedies that don’t work. You can go a step further by launching a digital marketing campaign with a heavy dose search engine optimization.
What is SEO? It is a method that involves creating readable, educational content, which also includes the keywords that your customers use when searching for your service. You might create a page dedicated to “local plumbers” and then use the exact phrase a few times on the page in a conversational manner. SEO can become overdone. Work with a digital marketer to find the best way to promote your brand and avoid Google’s wrath.
Legal Practitioners
Legal practitioners, from car accident attorneys to patent lawyers, have invested years in schooling, studying for intensive exams, attending continuing education seminars, and honing the craft. Most find themselves in a highly competitive market, where it is difficult to stand out and get noticed. Legal experts spend a lot of time creating high-quality content for their own websites and those of others.
You can attach your name to your area of practice by creating articles, blogs, videos and other materials. You can also improve your chances of gaining recognition and a better reputation. You will want to also use SEO and digital marketing techniques in order to get as much of the legal pie possible.
Plastic Surgery Services
Is it strange to suggest that plastic surgery could benefit from digital marketing? It makes sense in an environment where consumers are increasingly choosing elective cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgeons need to be ready to create websites that go beyond just a few pages. Plastic surgery is an expensive procedure.
Consumers are interested in seeing before and after pictures, and learning more about the plastic surgeon’s expertise and specialties. You’ll get more phone calls if you highlight your skills online. Do you want another best practice tip? Create a comprehensive FAQ page for your website and add new questions and answers to it as they come up.
Dental Professionals
People everywhere are interested in orthodontics and other forms of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. They may be hesitant to make an appointment without feeling comfortable with the dentist or practice.
Consider putting your professional, family-friendly face on all of your online and offline collateral, whether you’re a dentist or periodontist. So, the “face” of your brand will always be consistent and friendly. If done correctly, a focus on digital marketing will encourage patients to return for future appointments and also refer others.
Financial Investing Services
Money can make people nervous, but it is also the fuel that keeps the world going. Nobody wants to waste their hard-earned money by working with a bad financial advisor. Digital marketing is essential for financial investment professionals to demonstrate their trustworthiness and value. If they don’t, visitors to their websites may be hesitant about making an appointment.
Video and live streams are a great way to increase trust in digital marketing. Offering a Facebook Live on investing in a retirement fund or saving for it could be an excellent way to gain online attention and solidify your expertise.
Talent Agencies
Do you want to focus your career on helping actors, models or photographers hone their tools for the entertainment industry? You need to keep proving your skills as a talent agent. If you don’t, potential clients and talent won’t give you a second look.
Keep adding success stories of clients to your website. This will increase the number of pages and also help you build a reputation for being a good bet for performers. You may want to use Facebook ads if you’re looking for specific types of entertainers such as voice actors or fashion models. You can also ask your digital marketing expert about text message blasts. They can also help to spread the word about auditions or open roles.
Tax Preparers
In the past, it was impossible to imagine that a faceless, nameless organization would be able to handle your taxes. With the introduction of huge tax preparation websites, today everything is completely different. Tax preparers who have digital marketing at their disposal can outsmart the big players.
Tax preparers should use Google Adwords and SEO to increase click-throughs. You can take it a step further by sharing your knowledge with others in the industry. Many ordinary people would appreciate some tips and tricks, especially when it comes time to get the largest refund. Why not create a YouTube channel with short, three-minute videos that cover all the main points of tax preparation? Every time you upload a new video, plan to post it on your blog and promote it on social media sites including LinkedIn.
Nonprofit Agencies
While nonprofits are not in business to make money per se, they do need individual donations in order to stay afloat. Digital marketing is therefore crucial. A nonprofit’s core cause will not be heard if it does not have a digital presence. You don’t want to hear, “I would give part of my last pay to your association, but I didn’t know about it.”
You need to be public online in order to reach out. It may require you to pay for advertisements, and will certainly take time in order to maintain a positive social image. You can also offer to write a free column for a local or national organization.
Digital marketing is a vital part of success in an era where everyone has a computer in their pocket. Have you ever thought about how much more money you could make if your marketing was better? It’s worth a second look. You could easily exceed your quarterly sales goals by adding a few digital marketing techniques to the sales and marketing plan you have in place. You can also take the lead or be very close to the top of your industry by applying digital marketing techniques to your current sales and marketing agenda.
Conclusion
In today’s digital-driven world, having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you run a small local business or a large corporation, digital marketing can significantly impact your visibility, customer engagement, and overall success. As seen across the 14 industries highlighted, businesses that invest in digital marketing gain a competitive edge by reaching their target audience more effectively, building trust, and driving conversions.
From real estate agents leveraging social media to showcase properties to medical professionals using SEO to connect with patients, the power of digital marketing is undeniable. Even industries traditionally reliant on word-of-mouth, such as roofing, plumbing, and tax preparation, can benefit from online strategies like pay-per-click advertising, content marketing, and social media engagement.
By implementing a tailored digital marketing approach, businesses can enhance brand awareness, improve lead generation, and ultimately increase revenue. The key is to stay updated with evolving trends, use data-driven insights, and continuously refine strategies to meet consumer demands.
If your business hasn’t fully embraced digital marketing, now is the time to start. A well-executed strategy can set you apart from competitors, attract new customers, and ensure long-term success in an ever-changing digital landscape.
