What Every Aspiring Business Owner Needs To Know First About Marketing

So, you’ve got this amazing idea for an e-commerce business, right?

Maybe you have a cozy idea for starting an online bookstore and even make it community-driven through book clubs and podcasts. Honestly, it’s a great idea, because people thrive on human connection. So, this is just an example, but if you’re aspiring to start an e-commerce business then the whole idea of the adventure sounds so incredible, right?

You can already picture the orders flying in, the five-star reviews stacking up, and maybe even a feature in some fancy business magazine (seriously, who hasn’t dreamt of being on the cover of Forbes?). But hold up! Before diving headfirst into the world of online selling, there’s one crucial aspect you must get a grip on marketing. 

Yep, it’s not just about having a killer product; it’s about making sure people know about it, want it, and come back for more.

Are all the Marketing Educational Tools Out There Even Helpful?

Now, the good news is that there are a lot of free-marketing courses online, as well as blogs and books. Basically, Digital Marketing 101 is easily accessible. Just take a look at HubSpot, for example; it’s basically the hub (no pun intended) for free marketing resources and for the customer experience if you decide to use their services. 

But of course, even when it comes to great resources and services, it can still be such a hassle trying to navigate it all. Fortunately, there are even resources and services for that, such as HubSpot coaching. Overall, there’s a lot of helpful marketing content, resources, and, yes, even marketing services- and a lot of them are free or at least super affordable.

 While yes, the generic and basic marketing advice is so important (and by all means, you need to follow them), you also must understand that this isn’t the only thing to think about either. There’s so much more to marketing. So, with all of that said, here’s what you need to understand about marketing before you start your e-commerce journey.

Don’t Fall for These Common Marketing Myths

No one likes myths, and unfortunately, there are way too many myths out there. Why? What’s the point of all of these myths? Seriosuly, they’re not beneficial to anyone! So, when you’re reading up on what you should and shouldn’t do, you need to understand that these are myths that it’s best not to fall for (because you’re wasting a lot of time that could be directed towards something else).

You Must Post Everything Manually on Social Media

There’s this persistent belief that scheduled social media posts get less engagement compared to manually posted content. The truth? The social media algorithms don’t care when or how you post. What matters is the quality and relevance of your content. Using tools to schedule posts can save you a ton of time and ensure that you maintain a consistent posting schedule. 

You should drop what you’re doing at a certain time to post; it’s a horrible idea! Instead, these scheduling tools allow you to plan your content in advance, ensuring that your social media presence is steady and strategic rather than sporadic and last-minute.

Adding a .txt File to Your Website is SEO-Friendly

You might have heard that adding a plain text (.txt) file to your website can boost your SEO. This myth stems from the practice of using robots.txt files to manage search engine crawlers, but it’s been distorted. In reality, robots.txt files are used to control which parts of your site search engines can access. They don’t contribute directly to SEO rankings. Instead, focus on creating quality content and a seamless user experience.

Email Marketing is Dead

Now, this one is definitely idiotic! Despite what some people say, email marketing is far from dead. It’s actually one of the most effective ways to reach your audience. What’s changed is how we use email. It’s no longer about blasting your entire list with generic messages. 

Today, it’s all about personalization and value. Yes, you’re in competition with millions of companies when it comes to the inbox, but the goal is not to get unsubscribed and to get a decent click-through rate. It’s definitely possible; it’s just about what you have in your message and how often, too.

Data-Driven Decisions Mean Everything

Gone are the days when marketing was all about gut feelings and guesswork. Today, it’s all about data. Now, data can be a little hard to read, and yes, it’s boring to look into as well. But if you want to get into e-commerce, like it or not, you need to accept this.

So, with that all said, by leveraging analytics, you can make informed decisions that drive better results. Tools like Google Analytics and HubSpot’s analytics dashboard can provide you with valuable insights into your audience’s behavior, your website’s performance, and your marketing campaign’s effectiveness. They’re free, and if you use Shopify, there’s data for that, too. But what exactly do you need to know?

Understanding User Behavior

With the right tools, you can track how users interact with your website. Which pages do they visit most? How long do they stay? Where do they drop off? This information can help you identify what’s working and what’s not so you can make adjustments accordingly.

Campaign Performance

Analytics can show you how your marketing campaigns are performing. Are your social media ads driving traffic to your site? Is your email marketing generating sales? By monitoring these metrics, you can see what’s bringing in the best results and allocate your budget more effectively.

A/B Testing

Data-driven decisions are also about experimentation. A/B testing allows you to compare two versions of a marketing asset to see which one performs better. This could be anything from email subject lines to landing page designs. 

The key is to test one variable at a time and use the results to guide your decisions. Now, it’s going to be a really good idea to look into taking a course or something for this one because this barely covers the bare bones.

You Need Good Content

So, it all starts with content, and you need content to make your e-commerce a hit! You’ve probably heard this a million times, but it’s true: content is king. So, with that all said, it’s about creating valuable, relevant content, which is one of the best ways to attract and engage your audience. This could be blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts – whatever format works best for your audience. 

But why can’t you just throw something out there and see what sticks? Well, good content does a few things. It helps you rank higher in search engines (more on that in a minute), establishes you as an authority in your field, and it gives your audience a reason to come back to your site.

Think about what your audience wants to know and create content around that. For example, if you’re selling fitness equipment, you could create workout guides, healthy recipes, and motivational tips. If you’re selling skincare products, you could create content about skincare routines, ingredient benefits, and beauty tips.

But it doesn’t end there when it comes to content; it’s not only what you’re creating.

You Have to Start Leveraging Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a powerful strategy when done right. But it’s not about throwing money at the biggest names on Instagram. It’s about finding influencers who genuinely align with your brand and have an engaged audience that fits your target market.

This is what a lot of people get wrong; you can’t pick some random big-following person and expect an impact. Seriosuly, it’s slim to none that it will even work.

Micro-Influencers vs. Macro-Influencers

Bigger isn’t always better. Micro-influencers, who typically have between 1,000 and 100,000 followers, often have higher engagement rates than their macro counterparts. Their audiences are more niche and loyal, which means they can drive more meaningful interactions and conversions for your brand.

Authenticity is Key

The most effective influencer partnerships are those that feel authentic. Influencers who genuinely use and love your product will create more genuine content that resonates better with their followers. When an influencer’s endorsement feels forced or overly commercial, it can backfire and damage both their credibility and your brand’s reputation.

Storytelling is Your Secret Marketing Weapon

You have to keep in mind that nowadays, everything seems to be generic, boring, and AI-generated, and people really want that human connection. Think of Taylor Swift; people go crazy for her because of that parasocial relationship. Humans are naturally drawn to stories, and a well-crafted narrative can make your brand more relatable and memorable. You need to be authentic!

Building Your Brand Story

Your brand story isn’t just about your business; it’s about your journey, values, and the impact you want to make. It’s about why you started your business and what drives you. This narrative should be woven into all your marketing materials, from your website’s About page to your social media posts and email campaigns.

Customer Stories

A lot of businesses think of the UGC aspect of customer stories, sure, it’s great but again, it’s that human touch. So, sharing your customers’ stories can be incredibly powerful. For example, testimonials and case studies show potential customers the real-world benefits of your products. It just makes your business far more believable.