SEO & Digital Marketing

High-ROI Dental Marketing Strategies and Ideas for Dental Clinics

Published

9 months ago

January 8, 2024

If you haven’t done anything to promote your dental business, this blog post is what you need. We’re going to dive into high-ROI dental marketing strategies and ideas that will really help you promote your dental office and stand out in this competitive market.

In this blog post, we’ll share dental advertising ideas to help you drive more people to your business. With actionable tips and creative strategies, you can easily make your dental practice shine.

From building a strong online presence to implementing community outreach programs, get ready to discover the secrets to effective dental marketing that will transform your practice into a patient magnet.

Let’s explore these powerful dental marketing ideas together!

What Is Dental Marketing?

A profitable dental practice requires efficient dental marketing, which covers all actions and programs put in place to promote dental solutions and attract new patients to your business.

Today, offering merely first-rate dental services is insufficient. You must aggressively seek out prospective clients and establish yourself among other dental businesses. In this case, you should learn the best dental marketing tips and ideas.

You can accomplish this by leveraging the power of online platforms and digital marketing tactics. This involves and prioritizes developing an expert website that highlights your offerings, knowledge, and customer feedback. Therefore, potential patients will reach your practice’s website via search engine results, and a well-optimized website will provide them with the information they need to make an informed decision about you as their doctor.

In addition to your website, social media networks have evolved into excellent tools for dental advertising. You can build trust and relationships with your audience by creating fascinating content, providing oral health advice, and communicating with them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

6 Steps to Know to Create Dental Office Marketing Strategies

Ready to develop a comprehensive and effective marketing plan for your dental clinic?

Before checking out our quick guide, we recommend you take a look at our carefully curated list of healthcare marketing agencies in Canada.

Let’s look at the steps to guide you in developing an effective marketing plan with a high ROI for your dental practice:

1. Define Your Target Audience

The first step in building a dental practice marketing strategy is identifying your target market. What type of audience do you want to attract to your practice? Are families, young professionals, or other specific demographics your target market? Understanding your target market will allow you to tailor your marketing messages and choose the most effective distribution strategies to reach them.

Define Your Target Audience for your dental marketing strategy — Silhouette of a businessman holding target board on the top of the mountain with over blue sky and sunlight. It is a symbol of leadership successful achievement with goal and objective target.

If you don’t know how to define your target audience, here are our tips for you:

Conduct market research,
Analyze existing patient data,
Identify pain points and needs to see which audience would be interested in your services,
Create buyer personas; consider factors such as demographics, motivations, and preferred communication channels; and voila, create a targeted marketing message.

2. Set Clear Marketing Objectives

After you’ve identified your target market, you should set particular marketing objectives. Ask yourself these questions to help you set your dental marketing goals:

What do you expect to achieve with your marketing efforts?
Do you want to immediately sell specific dental services, raise brand awareness for now, or do both?

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets allows you to track your progress and evaluate the efficacy of your marketing initiatives. You should also choose your marketing metrics and track them on a regular basis to determine whether you are on the right path.

3. Build a Strong Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for dental practices. Ensure that your dental office has a professional website that is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and provides relevant information about your services, team, and location.

Let’s take a look at an example of a well-designed and user-friendly website from a dental office in New York, NYCCD:

When you enter their website, you are immediately presented with their contact number, allowing you to reach out to them with just a single click.

They provide detailed information about the services they offer. When you click on the photos, you are directed to a comprehensive web page that includes a blog post, YouTube videos, and more.

NYCCD’s website is accessible on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring a seamless browsing experience

You can also consider adding an FAQ section to your website or requesting that your healthcare marketing agency make and add one for you. This will help address any potential questions or concerns your audience may have, leaving no room for uncertainty.

4. Ensure That Your Dental Website is SEO-Friendly

Optimize your website for search engines to improve your visibility in online search results. Utilize social media platforms to engage with your audience, share valuable content, and showcase your expertise.

For example, you can start by doing keyword research and sharing blog posts on your website targeting these keywords.

Ensure That Your Dental Website Is SEO-Friendly

Through successful search engine optimization, you’ll be able to inform your audience about your area and make yourself a trustworthy resource in the dentistry niche, resulting in an increase in the number of your clients.

In the example above, you can see that John Hopkins Medicine proves its authority in the health industry and particularly in informing people about cavities in toddlers.

If you want to have similar power with the help of your dental marketing plan, we suggest you start utilizing SEO today. You can get in touch with SEO agencies to let them use their magic for your dental business.

5. Leverage Patient Testimonials and Reviews

Positive patient testimonials and reviews play a significant role in building trust and credibility for your dental practice. That’s why we suggest encouraging your satisfied patients to leave reviews on popular review platforms, such as Google My Business or Yelp, and on your website.

You can display testimonials on your website and social media channels to build brand credibility, enhance customer trust, and encourage conversions.

Leverage Patient Testimonials and Reviews

By sharing the awesome experiences of your patients, you can boost the confidence of potential clients and show off how amazing your services are.

Think about teaming up with a top-notch digital marketing agency like Smart Sites to make the most of your online presence and reach a larger audience.

6. Benefit from Search Engine Marketing

According to a recent study by Ruler Analytics, 35% of the traffic to dental businesses is driven by paid search. So, you can position your dental practice at the top of search engine results and capture the attention of users actively seeking dental services by strategically placing paid search ads. With SEM, you have the flexibility to set your budget, target specific keywords, and track the performance of your campaigns.

Where to start SEM for dental businesses:

Set ads on social media platforms: These platforms allow you to target specific demographics and behaviors, ensuring your ads reach the right audience. Craft attention-grabbing ad copy and use compelling visuals to entice potential patients and drive conversions.
Set ads for Google search: With Google Ads, you can create text ads that appear above organic search results. Make your ad copy concise, engaging, and focused on highlighting your unique selling points. Always include a clear CTA and grab your audience’s attention in the first second of your ad copy. If you are not sure about writing killer ad copy, we suggest you read the blog post we linked to and watch the video below by Alex Cattoni:

5 Solid Marketing Strategies for Dental Clinics and Dentists

Navigating the world of dental practices, you need to embrace effective marketing strategies for your dental clinic that not only attract patients but also retain them.

Tailored to boost a clinic’s visibility and appeal, these dental marketing strategies are designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of today’s patients.

1.Dental Membership Program

Consider offering a dental membership program like Amazon Prime for dental services. Here, patients could pay a monthly or yearly fee in exchange for special benefits and discounts. Such programs could lessen your clinic’s reliance on dental insurance, create a steady stream of revenue, boost patient loyalty, and add value to your practice.

They might be especially appealing to patients without dental insurance, offering a clear, simple pricing model free from the complexities of insurance claims.

2.Local SEO Optimization for Dental Clinics

You should optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing to significantly enhance your dental clinic’s visibility in local search results. GMB is essential for managing your online presence, as it enables patients to effortlessly find your clinic and learn about your services.

With a well-optimized Google My Business profile, you can

share your operating hours, phone number, and health and safety measures,
show your clinic with a variety of photos and a cover photo,
send and receive direct messages,
get calls and make the appointment process practical.

It also allows you to know how patients find your business, which is a key insight to tailor your marketing strategy. Last but, definitely, not least, the more you improve your Google My Business profile, the higher the number of patients find you through “dentists near me” searches too!

3.Diversifying Ad Providers

By diversifying your advertising providers, your dental clinic can broaden its online reach and connect with different audience segments. Each digital advertising platform, like Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, has its own unique features and targeting options.

By placing your ads on multiple platforms and tailoring them to the characteristics of each platform, you can take advantage of these various strengths and reduce the risk of over-dependence on one provider.

Before deciding how much you’ll invest in each platform, keep in mind that each has unique strengths and weaknesses. For example, younger generations like Gen Z and Y don’t spend much time on Facebook, while TikTok and Instagram have greater importance in their lives. However, Facebook is a great platform to target the X and Baby Boomer generations while having higher click-through rates compared to TikTok!

4.Search Retargeting for Dental Clinics

Search retargeting is one of the greatest digital marketing strategies to implement for dental clinics, which means targeting ads to users who have previously visited your website.

This method is particularly effective because it focuses on individuals already interested in your services. The main advantage of retargeting is keeping your practice at the forefront of potential or current patients’ minds, encouraging them to return instead of exploring other options. Retargeting can also be more cost-effective than other advertising methods, as it targets warm leads without inflating your marketing budget.

5.Utilizing Video Content

Incorporating video content into your marketing strategy is increasingly crucial for engaging with patients and increasing new patient numbers. Videos can be employed in various forms, such as patient testimonials, educational content, and virtual office tours.

Sharing videos allows for a more intimate and captivating way to present your services, success stories, information, and practice environment. By integrating video content, you can create a more dynamic and interactive online presence.
Don’t forget to check out video content examples in this blog post’s YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok sections below!

6.Click to Call Ads

Incorporating Click-to-Call ads into your digital marketing strategy can significantly increase the number of patients.

This feature, available on platforms like Google Ads, enables a direct and immediate action: making a phone call.

When someone is searching for dental services on their phone, the ability to call your clinic with just one click can be a powerful motivator. It’s about reducing barriers and making the process as seamless as possible.

As a result, you’ll increase the likelihood of booking appointments.

Moreover, these ads can be optimized for times when your clinic is open and staff is available to answer calls, ensuring that potential patients always reach a live person. Tracking the performance of these ads can also provide valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences, allowing for further refinement of your strategy!

7.Appointment Reminders

Using appointment reminders, whether through automated emails, texts, or app notifications, can help minimize no-shows and keep your schedule efficient. These reminders are not just convenient for patients; they also emphasize the importance of regular dental check-ups and care.

Creative Dental Advertising & Marketing Campaign Ideas

Finding innovative ways to promote your dental services and attract new patients has never been easier, as we’re ready to share our selection of dental marketing campaigns. Let’s take a look at some creative dental marketing ideas and methods that will set you apart from the competition and have the greatest plan for dental offices!

YouTube Video Ideas for Dentists

Making detailed videos about the procedures you do at your dental office will help you demonstrate how successful you are and answer questions.

Also, making Q&A videos for YouTube is another great way to attract people to dental procedures.

For more engagement with your audience, you can consider taking them behind the scenes of your dental practice. These videos can cover everything from the first consultations to the final reveal of patients’ smiles. This way, you can effectively showcase your expertise and clarify the uncertainties viewers might have.

Also, it’s beneficial to address and debunk the various dental myths circulating online.

By producing content that tackles dental misconceptions, you not only educate your audience but also strengthen your credibility.

PPC Campaign Ideas for Dentists

Reaching out to the correct audience and grabbing their attention in the very first second they encounter your ad will be your key to getting them!

To have a killer PPC campaign strategy, you can contact the best PPC marketing agencies and let them show their magic!

But if you are planning to handle this part by yourself, we suggest you start by learning dental PPC strategies and improving your copywriting skills.

Instagram Reel & Post Ideas

Making Instagram reels is one of the most effective and popular ways of creating engagement with your potential clients.

For example, Dental Centre Turkey makes collaborations with influencers who have millions of followers and share their dental journey in a reel, which makes the story available to literally anyone!

DCT also shares before and after photos of their clients to demonstrate how successful the procedures they perform are.

TikTok Ideas for Dentists

Engaging with your audience on TikTok by sharing entertaining videos that tackle common dental issues can be a great start to dental marketing on TikTok. For instance, you can create content showing the effects of not using a retainer for just one day, adding a fun twist to an important dental care message.

Also, consider producing TikToks that educate viewers about fundamental aspects of dental health. You can, for example, illustrate the correct amount of toothpaste to use.

Wrapping Up

Congratulations on discovering a wealth of high-ROI dental marketing strategies and ideas to take your dental office to new heights. By implementing these creative approaches, you can effectively stand out in a competitive market and attract more patients to your practice.

From building a strong online presence and leveraging patient testimonials to collaborating with reputable digital marketing companies, you have the tools to enhance your online visibility and reach a wider audience.

By creating engaging content through YouTube videos, captivating Instagram reels, and effective PPC campaigns, you can showcase the success of your procedures and establish meaningful connections with potential clients.

Now it’s time to put these ideas into action and unleash the full potential of your dental office marketing plan.

Best of luck on your journey to becoming a patient magnet and achieving remarkable results for your dental practice!

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SEO & Digital Marketing

The New Creative Hub: Dubai’s Agency Scene Evolves

Published

49 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Josh Kuku

We bet that, recently, at least one of your friends visited Dubai for a reason. Why are we hearing so much about Dubai these days—not only for its tourist aspect but also for digital marketing initiatives?

We will find out why Dubai is now a new digital marketing hotspot in this blog post – career opportunities and digital marketing agencies in Dubai.

Keep reading.

Key Takeaways

Dubai offers a sizable market to companies looking to increase their online presence.
Because businesses in Dubai are eager to take advantage of online platforms, digital marketing is one of the most in-demand skills in the job market.
Marketers predict that Dubai’s digital marketing ecosystem will continue to grow quickly in the coming years.
For professionals, agency owners, and brands, Dubai offers a plethora of opportunities in the digital marketing space.

What’s Inside?

An Overview of Dubai’s Digital Marketing Atmosphere

In recent years, Dubai has solidified its status as a hub for digital innovation, offering businesses a dynamic environment for marketing success. With widespread access to the latest tech and a business population that relies on the internet, the city presents unparalleled opportunities for brands to connect with their target audiences.

Dubai is a digital-first city. It is equipped with affordable high-speed internet, and almost all of its population uses smartphones. This makes effective digital marketing services in Dubai a foremost concern for businesses.

According to research on why Dubai is an attractive area for international business, Dubai has radically changed over the last thirty years.

It has become a major business state with a sustainable and branched-out economy. Especially over the last ten years, Dubai has noticed enormous economic development as a result of urban development that converted the uninhabited desert of Dubai into a commercial, residential, economic, and tourist state.

Additionally, it is well known that Dubai boasts a massive international trade network that spans nearly 180 states worldwide, offering investors many options for international marketing channels to promote a diverse range of products and services. Hong Kong and Singapore are the two largest export and reexport hubs globally, with Dubai coming in third.

Of course, the city also gains from all kinds of marketing efforts & channels, including digital marketing, as new businesses, investors, and clients come on board. So much so that recent research has shown that a wide range of industries in the United Arab Emirates profit from digital marketing, and they use related tactics to influence business profitability by raising brand awareness, driving more traffic to websites, and generating leads.

Given these factors, effective digital marketing has become a priority for companies looking to thrive in this fast-paced market. This has led to an evolution in Dubai’s agency scene, where creative strategies and cutting-edge solutions are reshaping how businesses approach their online presence.

Digital Marketing Agencies in the UAE Worth It?

Let us continue with one of the most common questions people ask on the internet about the digital marketing ecosystem of Dubai. The answer is a resounding yes. In a market as competitive and digitally driven as the UAE, partnering with a digital marketing agency can make a significant difference.

According to our Exclusive Q&A with Sacha Christe, CEO of Emirates Graphic, digital marketing agencies in Dubai are especially worth working with.

In the said Q&A, Christie states that Dubai’s multicultural audience is indeed a “unique challenge and opportunity” at the same time. To tailor digital marketing strategies effectively, digital agencies conduct thorough market research to understand cultural nuances, language preferences, and consumer behaviors. And finally, they create content and campaigns that resonate with various cultural groups while ensuring sensitivity and respect for diversity. He adds:

Dubai’s business-friendly regulatory environment fosters innovation and attracts agencies and businesses to operate and expand in the region. It provides a stable and conducive platform for growth, which is advantageous for agencies like Emirates Graphic.

What’s more, it seems that in the next few years, marketers anticipate Dubai’s digital marketing ecosystem to continue evolving rapidly:

Brands should stay ahead by embracing emerging technologies, staying updated on local trends, and collaborating with innovative agencies. It’s crucial to remain flexible and adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Dubai for Working Professionals (Scope of Digital Marketing in Dubai)

As we mentioned earlier, Dubai has quickly become a magnet for working professionals, particularly in the digital marketing sector. With its thriving economy and constant push toward digital transformation, the city offers endless opportunities for those looking to build or expand their careers. Digital marketing is one of the most in-demand skills in the job market because businesses in Dubai are eager to take advantage of online platforms.

From social media management and content creation to SEO, professionals can find a diverse range of roles within digital marketing agencies and in-house corporate teams. With Dubai’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and its large consumer base, there is always a need for innovative marketing strategies. For digital marketers, this city offers a dynamic work environment and the chance to work on projects that shape global perceptions.

DAN-member agencies like Crowd are playing a crucial role in promoting Dubai as a prime destination for business. As a creative agency, Crowd has actively worked on campaigns showcasing the city’s potential to global audiences, emphasizing its business-friendly environment and advanced digital infrastructure. This is just one example of how digital marketing professionals in Dubai can be part of projects that have a global impact, helping position the city as a leading business hub.

Let us wrap up that section with two thoughtful responses to the query, “Is it hard to find a job in digital marketing or SEO in Dubai?“

Dubai for Agency Owners

For agency owners in Dubai, several digital marketing domains present lucrative opportunities. With a significant portion of the population active on social media, social media advertising is a leading domain.

According to Statista, social media ad spending in the UAE is expected to reach approximately $388.40 million in 2024, indicating a high demand for agencies specializing in targeted campaigns on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

SEO and content marketing are also crucial due to the competitive business environment. Brands seek agencies that can optimize their online presence, driving organic traffic and brand visibility.

Influencer marketing is another domain thriving in Dubai. The city’s diverse culture and global appeal make it a hotspot for influencers, and agencies that can connect brands with the right influencers are in high demand.

Paid advertising through PPC campaigns remains a key strategy. Digital ad spending in the UAE continues to grow, with businesses looking to agencies for data-driven strategies that maximize their ROI.

These popular domains offer agency owners a chance to diversify their services and cater to Dubai’s dynamic market, allowing them to position themselves as industry leaders.

Here are some hints as to why Dubai’s digital marketing sector is expanding, in case you decide to establish your agency there:

Dubai for Brands & Businesses

With digital advertising in the UAE projected to reach $1.48 billion by 2028, Dubai presents a vast marketplace for brands seeking to expand their digital footprint. This environment provides brands with the tools they need to drive growth and build a strong online presence.

Additionally, as a part of Dubai’s marketing ecosystem, brands and companies have many opportunities to collaborate with excellent, locally focused digital marketing agencies, such as WGG Digital Marketing Agency, a DAN member.

We live in Dubai; we work in Dubai; we know how to work with digital marketing to grow your business in this city.

WGG has established itself as one of the leading agencies in the UAE. For us, each campaign is not just numbers but also a representation of the vibrant life of Dubai and the UAE. With a team versed in the latest digital trends and tools, we offer a panoramic view of modern marketing. In the ever-changing digital marketing in the UAE, WGG is the most adaptive and evolving agency.”

According to the statement on their website, WGG begins each project “by diving deep into Dubai’s online market. It’s paramount for us to understand the digital platforms that have the most traction in the region.” Also, they are “committed to grasping the digital habits of both locals and the expatriate community, ensuring our campaigns cater to each distinct audience segment.”

Dubai’s digital marketing landscape is rich with opportunities for professionals, agency owners, and brands. With a tech-savvy population and a booming digital advertising market, the city offers a dynamic environment for growth.

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SEO & Digital Marketing

Agile Development Methodologies

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Josh Kuku

Agile development methodologies have become essential for software product development. Agile frameworks help teams adapt quickly to changing requirements and deliver high-quality software efficiently.

In this post, we’ll explore three key Agile methodologies—Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP)—and their applications in the world of software development, especially within digital agencies.

Overview of Agile Development

Agile development is a set of principles that prioritizes iterative progress, customer collaboration, and flexibility. Unlike traditional methodologies that often follow a linear process, Agile embraces change and encourages continuous improvement. For digital agencies, Agile methodologies offer numerous benefits, including faster delivery times, improved responsiveness to client needs, and enhanced product quality. These benefits are particularly valuable for agencies providing software product development, as they enable more efficient and effective management of complex projects.

Scrum Methodology

Definition & Key Features

Scrum is an Agile framework that focuses on delivering incremental value through short, time-boxed iterations called sprints. The Scrum team consists of three key roles:

Scrum Master: Facilitates the Scrum process and removes impediments.
Product Owner: Represents the client’s interests and manages the product backlog.
Development Team: Self-organizes to deliver the product increment.

Core practices include:

Sprints: Typically 2-4 weeks long, where a specific set of features is developed.
Sprint Planning: The team plans the work to be done in the sprint.
Daily Stand-ups: Brief meetings to discuss progress and obstacles.
Sprint Review: A review of the completed work with stakeholders.
Sprint Retrospective: A reflection on the sprint to improve future performance.

Advantages of Scrum in Software Product Development

Scrum enhances teamwork and transparency, providing better predictability and allowing teams to adapt quickly to changes. It is particularly effective for projects with evolving requirements and multiple stakeholders.

Real-World Applications

Digital agencies often use Scrum to manage complex projects and client requests. For example, a marketing agency might use Scrum to handle various client campaigns, ensuring each campaign is delivered in increments and adjusted based on client feedback.

How Agencies Can Implement Scrum

To adopt Scrum, agencies should start by training their teams on Scrum principles and practices. Tools like Jira or Trello can facilitate Scrum processes, helping teams manage backlogs and track progress.

Kanban Methodology

Definition & Key Features

Kanban is a visual system that emphasizes continuous delivery and workflow efficiency. The core concepts include:

Kanban Board: Visual representation of work items with columns representing different stages of the process.
WIP Limits: Limits on the number of tasks in each stage to prevent bottlenecks.
Continuous Flow: Work items move through the process without fixed iterations.

Advantages of Kanban in Software Product Development

Kanban provides a clear view of workflow and progress, helps identify and address bottlenecks, and allows teams to respond to changing priorities without rigid sprints.

Real-World Applications

Kanban is ideal for agencies with dynamic project requirements. For instance, a web development agency might use Kanban to manage tasks across multiple projects, ensuring efficient resource allocation and quick response to new client needs.

How Agencies Can Implement Kanban

Agencies can start by setting up a Kanban board to visualize work items and establish WIP limits. Tools like Kanbanize and Monday.com can support Kanban implementation, making it easier to manage workflows and track progress.

Extreme Programming (XP)

Definition & Key Features

Extreme Programming (XP) is an Agile methodology focused on engineering practices and customer satisfaction. Key practices include:

Pair Programming: Two developers work together on the same code to improve quality and collaboration.
Test-Driven Development (TDD): Writing tests before coding to ensure functionality and reduce bugs.
Continuous Integration: Regularly integrating code changes to detect issues early.
Refactoring: Continuously improving code to enhance performance and maintainability.

Advantages of XP in Software Product Development

XP promotes high-quality code and rapid feedback, resulting in better software quality and faster development cycles. It is particularly beneficial for projects with complex requirements and high stakes.

Real-World Applications

Digital agencies focusing on high-quality software or custom solutions can benefit from XP. For example, a software development agency working on a new app might use XP practices to ensure the codebase is robust and adaptable to client feedback.

How Agencies Can Implement XP

Agencies can introduce XP practices by starting with pair programming and adopting TDD. Tools like Jenkins for continuous integration and various refactoring tools can support XP practices in daily development activities..

Conclusion

Agile methodologies—Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming—offer unique benefits for software development and digital agencies. By understanding these frameworks and their applications, agencies can enhance their project management processes, improve collaboration, and deliver high-quality results.

Explore these methodologies to find the best fit for your agency’s needs and drive success in your software development projects.

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SEO & Digital Marketing

How Bot Traffic Is Impacting Digital Marketing?

Published

21 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Josh Kuku

Online bot traffic is increasing every year. This is having a marked impact on digital marketing campaigns. In this article, we discuss how bot traffic is interfering with your digital marketing exercises.

Gone are the days when you could feel happy about the growing numbers of visitors to a website. It is now estimated that almost 50% of internet traffic is dominated by software applications known as bots. They can be created to help you, but others can be created with ill intent. The bad news is that none of them will buy products or sign up for your services, meaning they can seriously hinder marketing campaigns. In the article below, we discuss how bot traffic is impacting digital marketing.

It’s a Robots World With Increasing Bot Traffic Online

A recent report by cyber security company Thales discovered that online malicious traffic has risen for a fifth consecutive year. The applications used to carry out these attacks, known as bots, now make up around 32% of all internet traffic. However, they also found that 49.6% of internet traffic is no longer human, but derived from bot activity.

A bot is an application used online. Generally, it is programmed to perform a repetitive task. Many of them come in very handy, helping crawl websites to see what they contain or even assisting in customer service chatbots. Yet many are malicious and are used to deploy malware attacks that can steal data and harm websites.

In addition to this, as a digital marketer, some bots that exist in grey areas you should be aware of. These include ones that inflate social media statistics.

Checking for Bot Traffic on Your Website

If you are running a digital marketing campaign, hoping to direct quality traffic to a website, you need to know how much of this is bot traffic. Once you remove bot traffic from your statistics, you can get quality data about what is and is not working.

You don’t need to pay for an advanced subscription program either. A free tool to check website traffic will suffice, providing you with information on traffic stats, any referring domains, and the top search ads. You can then upgrade if you need more functionality. By combining the results with the pointers below, you can help pinpoint bot traffic and remove it from your key performance indicators.

Analyze Page Views

One way to tell if you have bot traffic is to check your page views. An unexpected spike could mean you have been the target of bot traffic. However, it could also be a genuine interest in the page, so check where the traffic originates.

Referral Traffic

Referral traffic is a good place to look for bot activity. Bots can create fake referrals to get people to visit their websites.

Time on Page

This is a technique you can use by looking at your own on-site statistics. Start by checking your bounce rate. Bots won’t hang around looking at products, watching videos and reading news, so a high bounce rate can indicate traffic is coming and leaving fast, the key sign of bot activity. This can also be seen in pages with a low on-page time.

Check Where the Traffic Originates From

Bot traffic usually comes direct. Very seldom will it come from a search engine. If you are getting traffic from strange locations, it may also be bot traffic. For example, if you have an English-language website and most of your traffic comes from China, it is probably bots.

Bot Traffic and Its Damage to Marketing Campaigns

The damage bots cause to digital marketing campaigns comes solely from how they skew your data. Bots will make things look great in one aspect. They can be pushing your social media campaign to thousands of views, or sending streams of traffic to a website. However, it is not real people behind it and that is where bots can make your campaign come undone.

Without a human behind your traffic, you can not get a picture of your audience. Bots have no real location, income, gender, or anything else that can make up a user profile. Therefore, it makes it very hard to tailor landing pages for certain audiences using this data.

They can seriously increase PPC costs. As they scour a page they will click on ads and even fill out forms. With no conversions, you are left paying for worthless ads. If you host the ads, then other people’s marketing will soon see a lack of conversions and go elsewhere.

There are several ways to eliminate bot traffic, or at least cut down on it. Monitoring your traffic closely using a website traffic checker and on-page metrics is one of them. In a marketing campaign, try to switch to results-based payment, not one that tends to pay based on vanity metrics such as clicks or shares. Finally, make sure you vet anyone you work with in campaigns. This includes any affiliates, publishers, or websites you may be getting links from. By using this, you can cut down bot traffic and increase the efficiency of your marketing campaigns.

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