Did you know that email is used by more than 4.5 billion people worldwide?   And almost 80% of companies use it as their main way to find and retain customers. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise that hackers and scammers will find ways to take advantage of you.

These scammers utilize unsolicited emails, malicious links, and other methods to gain access to your network and steal your personal information, files, and other valuable resources.

Therefore, you must be proactive in order to prevent becoming their next victim.

We’re going to cover 5 of the most common email threats that affect people in every role and industry each and every day.   We’ll also provide helpful preventive advice or solutions for each threat.

Spam

Starting off with the oldest and most aggravating threat: spam. Spam is defined as unwanted or unsolicited messages advertising various items and services, the majority of which are bogus. Some even include Trojans and other viruses that look like or attachments.

These emails overload mailboxes with trash that serves no value for professionals and simply wastes their time or reduces their productivity.

To give you an idea of how huge of a threat spam is, the statistics don’t lie:

• According to Statista, over 60% of email traffic volume is spam.
• Mailmodo reported that, one spam email generates almost 0.03g of carbon monoxide. In 2021, almost 4.5 tons of CO2 were released alone as a result of spam.
• Less than a quarter of spam mails are genuine. Around 73% are phishing emails,  with the remaining 2.5% being fraud.

The unfortunate reality is that there is no way to completely eliminate spam in your inbox. You can protect yourself by reporting, blocking, and deleting questionable emails; and using a third-party email filter, such as SpamTitan, Xeams, Spambrella, and others.

Spoof Emails

Spoofing is one of the most common email marketing risks sweeping the web today. Spoofs are lookalike emails used by scammers and hackers to impersonate actual brands. They entice readers to share personal information or make a purchase on bogus landing pages linked within the emails.

• Every day, almost 3.1 billion domain spoofing emails are sent worldwide, according to Proof Point
• Approximately 25% of professionals and businesses receive B2B spoof emails on a weekly basis

Unfortunately, the only way to avoid theft or damage caused by spoofing emails is to exercise caution. This covers straightforward methods such as:

• Using trustworthy brands for products and services
• Identifying bogus links by hovering your cursor over the link to see the actual URL
• Calling businesses directly to confirm the content of a branded email

DDoS and Botnet Attacks

In order to send out enormous spam and phishing operations that can overwhelm systems, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks often use internet-connected botnets.

• According to Secure List, over 78,000 DDoS assaults were directed at US firms alone in Q2 2022
• And around 70% of organizations endure 20-50 DDoS attacks each month.

Most DDoS attacks through email happen when attackers get their hands on IP addresses.  As a result, one of the easiest methods to avoid them is to use free VPN software, which allows you to browse and use emails anonymously.

Phishing

Since the early 2000s, one of the most common email threats has been phishing. It uses social engineering and other strategies to deceive people into giving personal information that could lead to the theft of their money, data, or identities.

Here are some intriguing phishing statistics:

• According to a 2021 Tessian study, employees receive approximately 14 phishing emails per year on average
• According to Cisco’s 2021 Cybersecurity Trends Report, at least one employee clicks a phishing link in nearly 86% of organizations

Phishing assaults are avoidable if you know how to spot them. Most attackers, for example, use unfamiliar URLs or make offers that are simply too good to be true. Among the recommended preventive measures are:

• Do not click on suspicious links or popups
• Do not share your information on sites that are not HTTPS secure
• Do not click on suspicious links or popups

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Since COVID-19 began, the number of BEC attacks has grown by a factor of ten. This is because more people are working from home. These assaults resemble phishing. Their only motivation, however, is to steal money from businesses. BEC attackers pose as high-ranking executives and other titles and persuade staff to create bogus financial records and accounts.

Here are some noteworthy BEC assault statistics:

• According to Id Agent, nearly 77% of businesses faced BEC attacks in 2021
• The FBI recorded over $2.4 billion in theft by BEC assaults in 2021.

There are many ways to stop BEC attacks. The most straightforward method is to confirm the request via another channel, such as a phone call. Second, double-check the email address for spelling mistakes.

However, using paid business email accounts and implementing multi-factor authentication are the best strategies to defend against BEC assaults.

Honorary Mention: Malware

Malware is the final threat on our list. Malware is sent with one goal in mind: to disrupt business operations. Hackers use links, popups, and email attachments to fool victims into installing ransomware, adware, and spyware.

Some facts you should know about malware include:

• Nearly 46% of businesses and professionals receive malware via email, according to Phishing Box
• According to Cleard In, about 1 in every 100 opened emails contain malware.

Every business should have effective anti-malware software operating on their devices at all times. It can help identify and get rid of threats before they happen. As far as prevention goes, it’s all about caution and due diligence.

When using email, you should be especially watchful of shady files, odd URLs, misspellings, and unrealistic offers.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the … SIX most dangerous threats that email marketers face, you can take more proactive steps to protect yourself. Email marketing will remain dominant in the business world.  So, it’s up to you to learn about cybersecurity threats and how to prevent it.

 

It’s probably no surprise to you that owning and operating a small business has significant hurdles. It takes a lot of effort to run your business on a daily basis, leaving you with little to no time to concentrate on marketing.

But marketing has evolved. And that’s a scary thing to a lot of business owners.

Fortunately, digital marketing is becoming more accessible for businesses of all types and sizes and is an extremely effective tool to attract new customers and expand your business.

And… The right digital marketing can give your small business a competitive edge.

So read on! We are going to cover some of the reasons why digital marketing is so useful for small businesses, as well as some pointers to get you started.

Advantages of Digital Marketing for Local Businesses

It’s a common misconception that you need to be a big business with an even bigger budget to market your business online. But that is simply not true. In fact, it’s not even close.  There are hundreds of ways for small businesses to market themselves online without spending a lot of money.

If you run a small business, digital marketing is the ideal tool because:

It’s Effective

Gone are the days where your only advertising options were Broadcast TV, Radio or Print, casting a wide net over a vast area and hoping it reaches enough of your audience.  With targeted digital marketing, you can reach the people who match your ideal customer, stay in touch with current customers, and be found by people who are actively looking for your products or services online.

It’s Measurable

The fact that digital marketing is measurable adds to its incredible efficiency. You can analyze your website’s data using free analytics tools that help you identify what’s working (and what’s not working). This allows you to make more informed decisions when optimizing your campaigns and adjusting your strategy to focus on the channels that generate the most revenue.

It’s Scalable

Many traditional methods of marketing typically require a large financial investment, which puts you at risk of holding the bag if your strategy fails.  With digital marketing, you have a variety of options for promoting your business at a cost that works for you.

You can test out a variety of strategies that won’t break the bank to see which ones are successful. When you have found something that’s working for you, you can gradually raise the amount you are spending. That’s what us marketing folks refer to as “scaling.”

It Never Stops Working  

Your business should promote itself online even after regular business hours.  With a good digital strategy, you can reach potential customers no matter where, or when they search for your business online.

It’s Ideal for Local Businesses

When you’re looking for a new restaurant that just opened, or local retail store you’ve never been to…  You probably turn to Google right?  And guess what?  Your customers do this exact same thing!  Having a solid internet presence will ensure that potential customers find you rather than your competitors!

How To Develop a Digital Marketing Plan for Your Business

What steps can you take to improve your company’s online presence?

An effective digital marketing strategy should be made up of many different elements. To discover the right formula for your business it’s smart to experiment with a number of platforms.

Quality Website

It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run or what digital marketing tactics you use; you need a high-quality website. This website represents the face of your company, and it serves as the foundation for almost all your digital marketing efforts.

Search Engine Optimization

By optimizing your website for search engines, you can boost your website’s position in relevant search results and make it easier for prospective customers to find your business online. Effective SEO requires time and effort to work, so having a solid strategy in place helps.

Digital Advertising

You can convey the right message with the right people at the right time by leveraging ad platforms like Google Ads, as well as Facebook and Instagram Ads. Paying per Click is a fast way to drive customers traffic to your website, but it can be a really expensive learning curve if you don’t know what you’re doing.  Hiring a Ads Manager is an ideal way to get your business started off on the right foot.

Social Media Marketing

Promoting on social media can help you connect with your target audience and keep them engaged with your brand over time. By having a presence on key social media sites, you can share compelling content with your audience and build relationships with potential customers that could be interested in what your business has to offer.

Wrapping up…

Digital marketing offers small business owners numerous options to attract new clients and grow their businesses. However, it’s crucial to start by creating a strategy based on your objectives and budget before you invest in digital marketing for your business. Your strategy will serve as a road map to guide your numerous marketing endeavors and keep you on track.

Connect with us for a free digital marketing plan if you’d like to learn more about how digital marketing can grow your business but you’re not sure where to begin. Our team will examine your current web presence and give you honest advice on what steps you should take to reach your online goals.

In today’s digital world any edge your business can carve out against your competition is an advantage.  And with the right set of marketing tools, you can grow your online presence and stay ahead of your competitors.  Here are 10 digital marketing tools you give you an edge in 2023.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free tool that allows users to track website activity and engagement. It can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your SEO campaign and provide detailed data on consumer demographics.

Google Analytics can also help determine what is and is not working in your present marketing strategy. For instance, you may check where your current traffic is coming from, and which website pages are the most popular.

Pricing starts at: free!

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is another essential digital marketing tool from Google that helps website owners to analyze, repair, and improve the traffic and performance of their website.

One cool feature is that you can use it to receive email alerts whenever it identifies a technical issue with your website that needs to be fixed right away or simply an online marketing or SEO opportunity that you should capitalize on.

Pricing starts at: free!

Hotjar

Hotjar’s platform keeps a visual record of your visitors’ actions and behaviors on-site in real time through heatmaps, which show where people are (or aren’t) clicking. Using real video recordings of your visitors’ journey you can literally see what your visitors are focusing on, where they’re clicking, and how you can improve their onsite experience.

Pricing begins at: free!

Maropost

Maropost is a cloud-based platform for medium to large businesses that combines email marketing with enhanced segmentation for smarter campaigns, social listening with content monitoring and management, and extensive reporting.

Maropost enables email marketers to send tailored emails at scale, automate campaign data collecting, track campaign performance, and forecast trends.

Pricing begins at: $500

Clickfunnels

ClickFunnels is a powerful all-in-one sales funnel builder that makes it simple to sell products and services online. They’re focused on getting your pages up and running quickly without overloading you with options, so you can design attractive, high-converting landing pages in a matter of minutes.

Clickfunnels allows you to plan, design, and manage all aspects of your marketing funnels in one place, so instead of juggling various digital marketing tools to build your sales process, you can do it more efficiently, and cheaper too.

This tool is ideal for conversion-focused businesses who need to quickly design sales funnels or landing pages without hiring a web developer or devoting too much time to it.

Pricing begins at $97/month

OptiMonk

OptiMonk’s software enables businesses to capture their visitors’ attention and keep them from leaving by displaying customized pop-ups. With an emphasis on lead capture and exit intent signals, the platform’s behavior-based targeting ensures that your pop-ups don’t have to be intrusive.

Segmented marketing messages served when they make sense. From returning visitors to first-time window shoppers, the platform enables you to develop campaigns that speak to all of your customers rather than treating them as one-size-fits-all.

Pricing begins at: free!

SocialBee

SocialBee is a social media management platform that also provides social media concierge services. It is a platform created to help small to medium-sized enterprises, coaches, authors, and solopreneurs in reaching their social media marketing objectives.

The platform is simple to use and allows you to modify your content as well as set the day and time of posting. Overall, SocialBee is an excellent choice for businesses and entrepreneurs that want to grow through social media.

Pricing begins at $19/month.

WRITESONIC:

Writesonic is an AI-powered content writing program that offers a simple yet powerful interface that assists users in writing faster and better by offering real-time feedback on their work.  Writesonic can create SEO-optimized and plagiarism-free material for blogs, social media postings, websites, and even emails!

Pricing begins at: free!

Buffer

You know your business should be active on social media but posting on a regular basis can be time-consuming and inconvenient to say the least.  But thanks to Buffer and its forever-free subscription, you can post on social media efficiently and effectively!

For example, you may include Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. From there, you can schedule up to ten posts per week.

Pricing begins at: free!

Acuity

Acuity is a free online appointment scheduling tool. It is trusted by millions of users for scheduling meetings with prospects or team members. You can easily integrate it on your company’s website, which is a great way to improve the whole client experience

It can even function as a virtual assistant because it can automate administrative activities such as follow-up emails.

Pricing begins at: free!

 

There you have it!  Not only will these tools help you to streamline your digital marketing activities, but it will also help you to improve the level of customer service you provide your clientele.  Now the only thing to do is to pick the one you are going to try first and gets started!

Any local business that wants to succeed in today’s web-first world must implement a local marketing strategy. As consumers are king in the retail world and content is king in the online world, you must ensure your web content promotes your business locally and attracts your target audience. We’ll go over seven steps you can take to promote your business locally online!

Set Up a Google My Business Page

Before visiting your location, 76% of customers look you up online. They’ll most likely visit your Google My Business page before visiting your website.

Your Google My Business profile is the first opportunity to build trust with the searcher. Your profile includes information such as your company’s name, address, hours of operation, phone number, customer reviews, and more.

Google My Business is free; you must sign up online and upload some photos as well as any other information you want your customers to know. After you sign up, you may be asked to confirm your physical address; Google will send you an email with a verification code before publishing your page.

Remember to double-check to see if you already have a profile! Your company may already be listed, in which case you must click “Claim this business.”

Setup Your Local Listings 

Local listings, also referred to as “citations,” help you build a trustworthy online brand and make it easier for customers to find you. 

Why do you need citations?

• They provide customers with helpful info about your business.
• They Improve your business’s visibility in local searches.
• Citations attract quality inbound backlinks to your site.
• They allow customers to provide feedback about your business.
• They boost the credibility of your brand and cultivate trust with your audience.

The more online proof there is that your company is real, has a physical location, and is operating, the more likely it is that your website will appear higher in search results.

Ask Customers for Reviews

Did you know that the content in your reviews can help you rank locally?

You know that you provide top quality products and services – and your customers are always telling you so. 

So, don’t be afraid to ask your customers for a review.

The more locals who leave you a review, the better.  And the more reviews you get, the more you expand your audience.

But please don’t try to cut corners. Customers, as well as online review platforms, can smell fake reviews from a mile away, and you don’t want to risk your business’s reputation over something so trivial as writing your own reviews.    

Add in the Social Proof

Social proof, the psychology of making decisions based on the opinions of others, often affects your customers’ buying decisions.

Social proof works because it gives real customers the chance to share your story. And if your story is that you’ve made your customers happy and satisfied, that’s pretty convincing.

Often, we don’t even realize how our decisions are affected by social proof. It’s something we seemingly gloss over. But that’s why it can be a powerful conversion tool in your marketing strategy.

Use Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing (SMM) is an excellent way to reach out to new audiences who are unfamiliar with your brand.

Facebook was one of the first and best options for local promotion. Begin by creating a Facebook page. You can promote your company by offering special deals and discounts to your audience. In turn, they may share your content with their Facebook friends, who are most likely also locals in your area.

The biggest advantage of Social Media Marketing is that you don’t have to sit around and wait for customers. Once you’ve created your social media profiles, you can start advertising.

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, even TikTok now make it simple to advertise locally by setting up an ad campaign.

Do you want to expand your social media presence even further? Consider looking for local influencers who can help your business gain exposure. Today, no matter where you are or how small your niche is, you can find an influencer in almost any industry.

Consider Hiring a Local SEO Agency

Have you tried everything you can and still aren’t getting results? To attract more walk-in and online customers, consider hiring a local SEO services agency. Local SEO Agencies are well-versed in all best practices for all types of local businesses. Working with an expert can help you create a successful local marketing strategy without the need for endless testing.

In Conclusion

Local marketing strategies are critical to success in today’s world. You’re more likely to fall behind if you don’t position yourself online. Spending some time optimizing your local profiles, directory listings, social media accounts, and reviews will result in an increase in customers visiting your website and storefront.