Augmented reality, live video streaming, data visualization: There’s plenty of hype about which digital marketing trends will hit the big time in 2017. But, in your rush to jump onto the latest trend bandwagon, don’t overlook the importance of battle-tested strategies, like local listing optimization, or online reputation management.
Recently, I sat down with Peter Handy, CEO of Dallas-based digital marketing agency Advantix Digital, to discuss the future of digital marketing trends in 2017. Because Advantiz, founded in 2001, was one of the nation’s first digital marketing and SEO firms, Handy and his team have been around long enough to witness the major evolutions in digital marketing.
Suffice it to say they’re seasoned experts with a finger on the pulse of what’s coming next — in the wake of an essential tactic like smart back-link building with digital PR.
Here are three of the biggest challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs need to know about in 2017:
Online reputation management
The challenge: Online reputation management can be tricky for businesses, as many companies aren’t even sure how to get started. Even if companies believe that they’ve got a handle on their reviews, Google’s autocomplete function could be filled with negative terms that are a huge blow to potential customers.
Compounding this challenge is the fact that online reputation management has been fraught with “black-hat” hacker tactics for years, making it difficult to know exactly what a startup founder should do.
Your solution: I can’t stress how important online reputation management is for startups, since customers often lack confidence when purchasing from a new provider. In 2017, your mission is to focus on generating positive word of mouth and early buzz about your business.
So, tap into your existing customer base. Using a designated hashtag, invite these people to share feedback on their experience on social media. Handy and the Advantix team take…