IT experts push for digital solutions
Digital marketing has overshadowed conventional methods because the advantages of digital tools far outweigh the disadvantages. Digital marketing targets specific and eager customers.
IT professionals and mentors, speaking to The Express Tribune, highlighted the significant differences between conventional and digital marketing strategies. In the past, conventional marketing heavily relied on substantial budgets for billboards, broadcast television, and radio advertisements, typically 15 to 20 years ago. While these methods allowed for reaching millions of people, the effectiveness in converting viewers into customers was limited. For example, an advertisement for fertilizers might not resonate with a housewife, resulting in only a fraction of viewers being potential customers. This posed challenges for small-scale startups with modest budgets, such as Rs5,000 to Rs10,000, to effectively market their products.
In contrast, digital marketing offers a plethora of options to precisely target specific customer segments. For instance, a fashion designer specializing in fancy, high-end dresses for women can tailor their marketing efforts to target women within a particular age group residing in affluent areas. Moreover, refining product offerings can further narrow down the target audience. However, the conversion of the target audience into actual customers is not guaranteed. For instance, individuals who recently purchased a sweater may not be interested in buying another one immediately, even if the company is promoting sweaters. Digital ads are often strategically displayed to audiences during website content consumption or social media browsing, employing push marketing strategies.
Digital marketing encompasses various strategies, including content marketing, social media marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), email marketing, PPC (Pay Per Click), and Google ads.
Among these strategies, SEO stands out as a particularly powerful tool compared to other digital and push marketing methods. When someone searches for a product or website, their intent is clear—they are fully interested in it, which is why they are searching for it. For example, if someone is looking for a good lawyer in New York, they will likely search for “best lawyer in New York” and find top-rated professionals. SEO experts play a crucial role in bridging the gap between buyers and sellers. Service or product-based companies often enlist the help of SEO professionals to enhance their online visibility and attract potential customers.
Securing one of the top three positions on the first page of search results is highly coveted, both regionally and globally, depending on the client’s requirements. SEO or App Store Optimization (ASO) professionals undertake approximately 50 activities to improve the ranking of a website or app, aiming to attract more businesses. They may advise clients to consider acquiring a new domain if their current site has fallen out of favor with Google due to issues like plagiarism, typos, poor grammar, unauthorized image use, and other violations. Service charges for SEO or ASO practitioners vary depending on the location and the successful achievement of ranking among the top three positions.
Additionally, a significant number of local shopkeepers and traders are turning to SEO professionals to develop and enhance their respective e-commerce sites. This trend has contributed to thriving businesses, aided by the availability of motorbike riders ensuring efficient home delivery services.
“There are approximately 1.2 million SEO experts worldwide, with over 30,000 professionals based in Pakistan. Currently, we exclusively offer SEO services to foreign clients valued at $3,000 per month, assuring them of a top-three website ranking within six months. Local companies often have limited budgets for SEO services. However, other local SEO professionals cater to these companies, charging fees ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000 per month. SEO learners can enhance their skills by acquiring knowledge through social media platforms and following the top 25 SEO experts recognized by Google. I am honored to be among them, the only one in the country,” remarked Mehboob Shar, Eminent SEO Expert, Founder, and CEO of Icreativez Technologies.
SEO Professional Ghulam Mustafa emphasized that SEO experts aim to ensure their clients’ websites appear on the first page of search engine results. By securing a prominent position within the top 10 to 12 results, visitors are more likely to visit the site, resulting in increased business opportunities.
Another SEO Expert, Ms. Mubeen Muzammil, highlighted her focus on enhancing the ranking of local websites. She emphasized the importance of metrics such as clicks, impressions, comments, and website or app visits. These metrics contribute to improved site popularity and traffic, ultimately leading to more advertisements and better revenue generation.
This information was published in The Express Tribune on April 16th, 2024.
