As we step into the new financial year, business owners face a dynamic online landscape filled with growth opportunities. Adapting to the latest trends and optimising your digital marketing strategy is essential to stay ahead of the competition. With budgets resetting, now is the perfect time to align your marketing efforts with your business’s latest goals. If you don’t reassess now, you might miss out on key trends and innovative ways to push your business forward.



Here are the top digital marketing tips to help your small business thrive in the upcoming financial year.

Top 5 Digital Marketing Tips for the New Financial Year 

1. Enhance Your Local SEO Strategy

Search Engine Optimisation  (SEO) remains a key part of digital marketing. Local SEO is the practice of optimising a business’s online presence to attract local customers from relevant searches, such as optimising “The Yiros Shop” in Brisbane to appear in local search results for “Greek restaurant near me.” It’s no secret that consumers are becoming more reliant on the internet to find products, services, and businesses. But did you know that  46% of all searches on Google  include local intent? Small businesses not implementing basic local SEO strategies in the new financial year will miss out on ranking for almost half of all Google searches.
What’s next? 

• Conduct an SEO audit of your website.
• Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across your digital presence.
• Claim and optimise your  Google Business Profile  and  Localsearch Business Profile .

2. Embrace AI & Automation

As a small business owner, balancing your responsibilities can be overwhelming. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a game-changing tool that can significantly improve your overall efficiency. Studies show that AI-powered automation can  increase productivity by up to 40% , giving small businesses a significant competitive edge. AI has huge potential for businesses of all sizes. But there’s no need to change everything overnight. Start by trialling AI in one or two areas of your business to see what works for you and what doesn’t. Once you’ve got a better sense of how your business can benefit from AI, you can start rolling it out in other areas.

What’s next?  

• Enhance customer interaction with 24/7 AI-driven chatbots.
• Simplify the hiring process with AI screening tools.
• Take advantage of tools like Canva AI and ChatGPT for content creation

3. Prioritise Customer Experience & Reviews

Customer experience plays a pivotal role in shaping the reputation and success of local Australian businesses. A happy customer is your best advocate. By prioritising customer experience and actively seeking reviews, you can create a loyal customer base that not only returns but also promotes your business to others. A significant  87% of consumers turn to Google reviews  to check out local businesses, a 6% rise year-on-year since 2021. Therefore, online reviews will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the reputation and success of local Australian businesses.

What’s next? 

• Invest in user-friendly website design.
• Encourage and showcase customer reviews.
• Monitor and respond to online reviews to build trust and improve customer satisfaction.
  

4. Invest in a Professional Website

Every small business needs a website. If you don’t have one, not only will you lose business online, but people will also question your business’s legitimacy.  Almost half of all internet users  view website design as a crucial factor in determining the credibility of a business. The way a website looks can impact the first impression and overall perception of a company. It’s also important for businesses to prioritise website performance in the new financial year to ensure they are providing a positive user experience. A slow website can lead to frustration and loss of potential customers, with  40% of users leaving a site  if it takes more than three seconds to load.

What’s next?

• Optimise your website for mobile.
• Ensure easy navigation and clear calls to action.
• Include quality content and update it regularly.

Need a hand with your website? Check out Localsearch’s Smart Websites solutions. 

5. Stay Updated with Trends

Digital marketing is constantly evolving. While it can be tempting to stick with the tried-and-true strategies your company has used over the years, keeping up with the latest trends and technologies will give you a competitive edge in the new financial year. Not every trend will be suitable or beneficial for your business or your customers. Focus on those that align with your business needs, goals, target audience, and available resources.
What’s next?

• Follow blogs for industry news and insights, like the  Localsearch Business Blog .
• Listen to informative podcasts while on the go, like the  Grow Your Business Podcast .
• Use  Google Trends  to follow the latest search trends across Google Search, YouTube, Shopping, and Images.
• Subscribe to a few quality digital newsletters to receive information on the latest trends straight to your inbox.
  

Do you need help with your business’ marketing?

At the end of the day, it’s important to adopt marketing solutions tailored to your business’s needs. Reach out today to speak with a Local Marketing Specialist about how we can help drive results for your business.