Digital tools to get your business ahead in 2022

Getting your small business ahead is a challenging task, but the good news is that there is an array of tools and apps that can help make marketing your business easier. These range from design tools and social media management platforms to apps that help you create great mailers and understand how people are using your website. In a nutshell, there are an ever-increasing number of ways to get marketing done easily, efficiently and affordably. 3Cube Property Solutions takes a look at a few of the apps and tools that you can use to make marketing easier.

Online design tools to create graphics that get noticed

Hiring a graphic designer is a good idea for just about any business, but if this isn't practical for you, then you can create your own great-looking social media images with apps like Canva. For starters, Canva is free, which makes it a great choice for small businesses, although there is a paid option that you can choose if you need images and other resources. Possibly even better news is that you don't need any prior experience with graphic design in order to create eye-catching graphics with this digital tool. Simply choose, drag and drop from the assortment of backgrounds, images and fonts to get the results you want. Two tips to bear in mind is that simple and sophisticated designs typically get the most traction and that consistency is key. Stick to the same fonts and design styles so that your target market knows what to expect.

Social media management made simple

Having a presence on social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is a must for any business - and you need to be uploading fresh new information and deals to keep your audience engaged. Apps like Hootsuite save you time by enabling you to schedule social media posts in advance across the various social networks. Your Hootsuite dashboard provides a birds-eye view of your social networks and gives you an opportunity to reply to comments and mentions without needing to visit each individual platform. Another great feature is the ability to schedule posts for whatever time of day Hootsuite's algorithm determines that your audience is most active. With the help of a digital tool like Hootsuite, social media marketing can become easier than you ever thought. If you only need to manage a couple of social media accounts, Hootsuite is free.

Mailers made easy

Email marketing remains a great way to reach out to customers who have opted to receive communications from you, and MailChimp is a great way to create mailers that get noticed. It is designed to be used by people who are not tech-savvy and its simple, flexible design means that anyone can put together professional-looking emails. MailChimp offers a basic plan that's free, and thanks to its ready-to-use templates, you'll be ready to send your first mailer in no time.

Get intel into how users are engaging with your website

If you want to get maximum traction from your website, you need to know how your potential clients are engaging with it. Google Analytics can show you an array of statistics and relevant facts, such as what your audience is interested in, how users are navigating your site and which channels drive the most traffic to your website. In a nutshell, Google Analytics will help you enhance your search engine optimisation (SEO) and content marketing. Initially, the Analytics interface can come across as a little intimidating, but with the help of the free courses available through Google Analytics Academy, you'll soon know the ins and outs of the platform.

Putting together an organisational and marketing plan is a must for any business - and so is having premises that meet your needs. 3Cube Property Solutions specialises in helping businesses in Gauteng find the commercial or industrial property that's right for them. Contact us today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.