Email Marketing for Professional Greenhouse Growers
By Camile Moore
For example, a good starting point is an email list. Email is one of the most effective marketing tools at the lowest cost. It’s a valuable asset for growing your customer base, and every farmer or rancher looking to interact further with their clients can benefit from using the software. An email verifier will further ensure that the information is successfully reaching consumers.
This post will take a look at the steps required to develop the foundations of an internet marketing strategy that will build connections with consumers and increase sales for your farm or ranch.
A Place of Your Own on the Internet
Even if you have no plans to sell your produce online or via email, a website is essential for increasing awareness about your farm and establishing industry connections. Basic information such as your location, open hours for the public, availability of seasonal produce, and the story of your farm’s history, direction, and values should all be featured on your website.
Fortunately, it doesn’t require expert computer knowledge to access online markets. Publishing a website has become increasingly easy thanks to the various click and drop applications like Wordpress or Wix that enable even the most internet illiterate to build their own website.
If you’re still hesitant about building a site on your own, affordable website design services may be a better option. Whichever path you choose, a strong online presence is essential for reaching millions of potential buyers and complementary businesses alike.
Building a Support Network and Brand
A website should be easy to navigate. Above all, it should enable consumers and others to easily find the information they are looking for. This will not only make your product more accessible, but will also increase your search ratings and opportunities for promoting your business.
Online directories for all types of farms are maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture. Listing your details here, along with your website address, will also boost your Search Engine Results Page (SERP) ratings.
Along with national and state directories, it’s worth your time to participate in other online gateways. These other avenues can generate business for your farm and also put you in contact with complimentary producers, opening up new opportunities for your farm.
Localharvest.org, sheepandgoatmarketing.info and the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative are just some of the specialized online farming networks that aim to connect producers with buyers. These resources also work to keep members up to date with developments in their niche agricultural area.
Directing Traffic to Your Site
Once you have your website in place, tactics for directing traffic to your pages should be established. In tandem with building a network as detailed above, there are various other strategies which can be used to increase website traffic.
Asking existing customers and visitors for their email addresses to build an email marketing list is one way to do this. Sending monthly updates of farm news, new products, special events, recipes that include seasonal produce, and other relevant information will build engagement and interest in your brand.
Regularly updating your website is an essential part of winning and keeping consumer interest. If your website is still featuring produce from your summer harvest in the depths of winter, you’re likely to lose customers before you know they’ve even visited your page.
Keeping a blog is another way to increase traffic to your website. The blogging tool allows you to post regular articles in a journal format. Regularly writing will build a library of information for visitors and keep your website fresh, making you far more likely to continuously update your main pages.
Entries that receive a lot of interest can also be used in regular e-newsletters for subscribers. Social media sharing buttons will aid marketing efforts, too, as customers will be able to share posts they find interesting with their own networks. This is a free way to get more views, and can successfully further your business’ reach.
Follow the steps set out above to access the world of online sales. Doing so will allow you to share in the trillions of dollars spent online each year.
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Camile Moore