Technology has helped and will help small businesses in many ways. The various technology you use in your business can help reach new markets, expand your reach, and create a brand that your customers will remember. But that is easier said than done. The truth is that marketing and branding have changed so much in the past decade because of the various devices available to us. Businesses must know how to connect with us through these devices. They need to create campaigns and real-time engagement opportunities.
Just how challenging is this new realm for marketers? Marketing campaigns have to be creative and resourceful but unfortunately, this creativity does not always work with the technical side of today’s marketing—real-time data availability, digital engineering, and data analytics. Creating connections and making sense of all these are often the hardest part of brand awareness today.
And yet, to forget about technology at this time is to say goodbye to one’s branding goals. Consumers spend an inordinate amount of time on social media that it is hardly a question of whether you need a presence there. You need it now and you need it fast. If your brand is not on social media, then there is no brand to speak of.
Logo, Slogan, and Colors
The first thing about branding is the logo. People will remember your logo. It will stay with them as the representation of your brand. How impactful are logos? You see the letter “f,” and you will think about Facebook. The camera icon will remind you of Instagram. And you know what that blue bird means on the Internet, don’t you? Technology will help you create the perfect logo for your business. Graphic design services use advanced tools and apps to create a logo that will be a household name in the future.
Services
The kind of services you can offer your customers will also impact your brand. But that also begins with the technology you use to improve these services. The more you take advantage of the technology that allows you to provide better services, the more that your customers will see you as a fresh, agile, and experienced organization. For example, your use of an accounting software will streamline inventory and accounting processes. Now, instead of thinking about lost invoices and payments, you can focus on providing a seamless experience to your customers.
So what has that got to do with branding? The customers’ perception of your brand will depend on their experiences interacting with it. The better services you can offer, the better these perceptions will be.
Networks
Technology is allowing small businesses to create powerful networks. While it’s hard to infiltrate big associations, small businesses can now team up by themselves. With social media, they can create a network that revolves around their needs. They’re able to share their experiences and best practices. Plus, they can also expand this ambit by welcoming and taking on new members. Online businesses are able to collaborate for contests and such because they have a powerful presence on social media.
All of these will keep your brand awareness high. By sharing the platform with other small businesses, you’re opening your doors to an audience you wouldn’t have otherwise reached. Your business will have access to opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible if not for your efforts to connect.
Sales
Brand awareness is what will help grow your sales. The more people are aware of your brand and what you can do, the more likely that they’re going to try out your products and services. Technology plays a crucial role at this juncture, too. After all, the way to reach your audience right now is to strengthen your digital campaigns on social media and the Internet. Traditional sales funnels don’t work as efficiently as digital marketing campaigns do in persuading consumers to trust your brand.
Through e-commerce platforms and social media marketing, consumers can show support for your brand. Through live-selling on Facebook, they can get to know your brand closer. This is, perhaps, the most powerful impact of technology on brand awareness—the ability to bring up sales and profits. Isn’t that the intention and end goal of all businesses? It is the reason why brand awareness is the core of marketing strategies.
Technology shaped businesses and industries. It helped bring them to new avenues and propel them to success. However, it is also not a one-size-fits-all solution. Technology, like everything else, is peppered with challenges and risks. Knowing your brand is the first step to utilizing technology for its success. That and remaining true to your brand will keep consumers engaged with your organization.
