As we’ve highlighted throughout our website, Delivery Master Courier Software team is here to help you grow your UK courier company. Today, we’re going to bring out the big-guns and share with you proven and cost-effective ways for you to construct your UK based courier company’s digital marketing strategy.
First thing to do is head out to Google My Business and create a business profile. This is not a choice but a must for all types of courier logistics delivery businesses in United Kingdom because its tied directly with Google Maps (which almost every Brit uses each day (perhaps not the Queen)).
Create a Business Website
If you do not yet have a business website, then, in 2021 you should create one. Although there are many Content Management Systems, we recommend self installed WordPress because its free and open source software. Furthermore, installing and using WordPress is a straight forward process (with many tutorials online). In UK, you can choose from many different web hosting service providers such as SiteGround, GoDaddy and many others. What’s very important for you to remember is the server location (as in, Data Center) where your website will reside in. Choose UK Data Center as that will help with Google rankings.
Now that you’ve got your website online, make sure to also highlight reviews (if you haven’t got any yet, then entice your customers to provide their reviews/feedback) throughout your entire website. Furthermore, providing Business Name, Address and Phone Number throughout your entire website will help Google to better understand your Local Business, as a result rank it higher in its search results page.
Website Optimization
Just like you would service your car regularly, getting your website fully search engine optimized can be a great long term investment. Because SEO can help attract free website traffic. For local businesses where you service certain neighbourhoods, make sure to create specific web pages. For example:
- www.example.com/same-day-deliveries-london/ (if you served London England UK). This will help Google to rank your business website easier for search terms "Same Day Deliveries London"
- www.example.com/same-day-deliveries-notting-hill/ (if you served Notting Hill England UK). This will help Google to rank your business website easier for search terms "Same Day Deliveries Notting Hill"
- www.example.com/medical-deliveries-brixton/ (if you served Brixton). This will help Google to rank your business website easier for search terms "Medical Deliveries Brixton"
And voila, FREE website traffic for your courier business just by Search Engine Optimization and following these simple insights. If you are looking for a fully qualified web developer, Google expert and seasoned SEO specialist, consider RankYa. If you are an owner-driver and manage your own website, then, consider these easy to use how to tutorials.
Google Ads Location Extension
If you are advertising with Google Ads, and not using Location Extensions, then, you are shooting yourself on the foot. When using PPC Google Ads, make sure to take full advantage of Location Extension. Remember, everything Google is tied with everything else Google. Meaning, Google Ads, YouTube, Google Maps, Google My Business, Google Search Console, Google Images, Google Local Business Listings and other Google products all work together.
Google Ads Tips for Local Businesses in United Kingdom
Did you know that you can advertise just your web page when using Google Ads? Meaning, most local business owners just advertise their home page, but, doing that will cost you more ££, instead, make sure to group related keywords which includes Location Information and then only advertise that web page (as in, set Final URL as the web page which is created specifically to target a certain location). For example:
- www.example.com/same-day-deliveries-london/ You can create a Google Ads Campaign specifically to target "Same Day Deliveries London" by making sure you set your Final URL as the web page created for that location (in this example its ‘London’). Basically, never just advertise your home page www.example.com which could be offering same day, overnight and international courier services, instead create more specific Google Ads. This is absolutely important.
By just following this one technique, you can basically reduce your Ad Spend at least by 50% in the long run. But what’s more important is the fact that you’ll get higher conversions.
How to Rank Higher in Google Search Results and Google Maps
As mentioned above, Google can become a great avenue to attract new customers to your courier business. Especially now that you know that all things Google is tied with everything else Google. And yet you can get even better results by simply improving your website mobile usability through search engine optimisation (also known as SEO). Having said that, you need to be thoughtful when seeking SEO experts as there are many fly-by-night operators circulating on internet. Always seek trustworthy, and well established SEO services who thoroughly understands and follows Google guidelines.
Furthermore, you can and should create content on regular basis. When you do, identify subject matters which is related to your services, or create content that your audience will find interesting. This could be how to’s, videos, PDF’s, manuals, images and any other digital content. The importance of long term digital marketing strategy cannot be stressed enough for the growth and success of all courier companies.
Digital Marketing Simplified for UK Courier Companies
A digital marketing strategy is essentially a blueprint of the steps and mechanisms that a courier company will undertake in order to achieve maximum market share and penetration. The digital marketing strategy for each company varies, but for UK based courier companies, understanding and marking out a customer outreach plan (within your service location/s) is particularly important.
There are a few reasons why no courier company (regardless of which stage of growth they are currently at) can survive in the saturated and extremely competitive UK delivery services market without laying down sound marketing strategies.
- Firstly, a digital marketing strategy is like a road map with often monthly or quarterly goals to reach. It outlines a variety of factors from competitors, product marketing, content ideas, and customer outreach to potential new target markets.
- Without a well-laid-out strategy, it would be difficult for the company to measure its success against its competitors or to employ new methods where certain others have failed. For this purpose, some courier companies will also engage a digital marketing firm to craft a custom strategy specifically created for them.
Basic Steps of An Effective Digital Marketing Strategy
There are a few basic steps to crafting a digital marketing strategy for your courier company to increase its chances of substantial growth despite rising competition in the UK industry and they are as follows:
Define & Design
Decide on the defining qualities, image, persona, and ethos of your brand. For any courier company to be successful it has to have a unique selling point and a special ethos that will appeal to its target market with ease. Courier companies that are targeting younger entrepreneurs for example market themselves with brighter colors and aesthetics as well as catchy mottos because they want to be relatable to that demographic.
Furthermore: let’s imagine that your target audience is elderly citizens? Then, using larger fonts, and having good enough whitespace in your design elements will help in usability for that target audience. This concept is often referred to as custom buyer personas and website optimization interaction design principle, and is immensely effective not to mention absolutely necessary.
SMART
A digital marketing strategy is also dependent on ‘SMART’ goals. This means the goals have to be specific and measurable, achievable and realistic, and above all else timely. Opting for the ‘SMART’ method can make it easier for a company to have clearly set out goals (short, medium, or long-term).
A lack of specificity in company goals can often lead to premature failure or financial loss. Don’t opt for trends as they can change or reverse. Always base your digital marketing strategy on solid market research and facts. Basically, envision the future of your courier company and be very specific about where you see it. Delivery Master Courier Software team is here to assist in all fronts so that you can better use technology for your courier business advantage.
Budget £
Set a budget for all manner of digital marketing from pay-per-click advertising to social media advertising on sites like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This budget should be separate from normal expenses and should be adequate to advertise each of the company’s offerings as best as possible. If you are just starting out and have limited resources, consider finding a freelancer who is well versed in online marketing, and yet, if you are well established courier company, then, hiring cost-effective digital marketing firms can be ideal. One way or another, do not neglect the importance of long term online marketing because its still the best and cost-effective way to attract new customers.
Can a Courier Software Help?
Of course, but not because we offer our valued clients Delivery Master Courier Software, but because we know for a fact that it does.
Delivery Master Software offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for same day, overnight and international courier services. Our software helps courier businesses manage their customer bookings, back office operations and drivers towards improving efficiency. It makes best use of your resources, reducing the amount of admin tasks which helps free resources.
Delivery Master Courier Software was developed as a game changer for UK courier businesses. It provides everything you need in a single easy-to-use software solution. Whatever the size of your business is, from start-up to large enterprise, we can help you with over 25 years of experience in the courier and logistics software industry. Simply Contact us here