Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

5 Online Marketing Challenges New Businesses Face Your competition may actually help you.

By Rocco Baldassarre Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Prasit photo | Getty Images

There is much excitement surrounding a new business, but oftentimes startups aren't sure how to market themselves correctly online. Below are a handful of tips on how to be successful with your new business when it comes to online marketing.

Related: 8 Rookie Marketing Mistakes I Made But You Don't Have To

1. Conversion rates.

New businesses never know how their website is going to convert. By testing multiple aspects, however, a positive turnover can be achieved. Closely monitoring the conversion rates based on the information on your new website can help you be able to study the trends of what is working for your website and what needs improvement. By monitoring these techniques, your business will have a good foundation.

2. Strategies to use.

Online marketing should first be used on the people most likely to become customers. Everything should be marketed to them first. This is done to build cash for the company. You can accomplish this by using search engines to target people with purchasing intents that are similar to your products or services. Study your very first customers and see what they like. This will give you valuable strategies to build from, even if your customer base changes over time.

Related: Online Marketing Tips From a Tech Industry Guru

3. Scalability.

Your business may have early success in online marketing, and it may not. For this reason, you must know how to grow either way. Knowing how to achieve the next goal is imperative. During the first one to three months of your online marketing campaign, consider your standings with Google searches. Studying your patterns on Google will help you to optimize your content for customers. Cost per acquisition is also an important aspect to consider. Plus, it's important to have plans for what is next because that will get you ahead of the game. Expand on the Google Display Network and with social media, and take advantage of the data and learnings you made on search.

4. Competitors.

It's important to understand that there are many competitors in the same market as yours. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage because competitors can help you step up your marketing game. You're able to learn from those who have been in the business longer than you have. Make sure that you see competitors as a learning experience rather than simply captors of your customers. As a new business, you must closely monitor your marketing techniques and stay focused so that you can consistently improve.

Related: 4 Ways Small Businesses Can Master Marketing

5. Understanding the budget.

To understand this, first you must understand that there is never a budget that is correct from the get-go. Pick goals and ways to manage those goals well. Your budget needs to be just right. In order for this to happen, you'll need to collect enough data and clicks through the customers coming to your website for your company's services. Don't worry about having your budget perfected. You'll get the hang of it once you get more of a feel for your online marketing strategies.

Rocco Baldassarre

Founder & CEO of Zebra Advertisement & 1DollarAd.com

Rocco Baldassarre is a digital marketing consultant and entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder of the award-winning digital marketing agency Zebra Advertisement and the youngest Google Partners All-Stars Winner at the age of 24.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

Clinton Sparks Podcast: From Pepsi, Beats to Netflix — This Powerful CMO Shows How to Never Let Your Light Dim

Learn about the challenges high achievers face, the tenacity required to conquer self-doubt and the continuous pursuit of excellence.

Business News

Here Are the Cheapest Online MBAs You Can Do From Your Couch, According to a New Report

No in-person interaction is necessary and most cost less than $10,000.

Business News

Apple iPhone 7 Users May Be Owed a Slice of a $35 Million Settlement — Here's How to Claim Your Share

Previous (and current, no judgment) iPhone 7 users may be entitled to up to $349. The deadline to file a claim is June 3.

Leadership

Clinton Sparks Podcast: Global BMX Star Shares His Entrepreneurial Journey

This podcast is a fun, entertaining and informative show that will teach you how to succeed and achieve your goals with practical advice and actionable steps given through compelling stories and conversations with Clinton and his guests.

Growing a Business

The Power of Networking — 5 Tips on Building Strategic Alliances for Business Growth

Who is on your side? Who has your back? It doesn't have to be lonely at the top. We look at five practical ways you can network to achieve the best for you and your business.