Digital marketing is essential for B2B businesses.

Today, social networks and other online platforms provide excellent opportunities for businesses to connect with customers and potential customers.

According to the research conducted by Hootsuite – we have over 5.07 Billion internet users, and that’s a massive 63.5% of the population.

These stats should pose an essential question to YOU if you are in the B2B market; if you are not leveraging these numbers, what is stopping you?

What is B2B Marketing?

Before we get into leveraging the stats, let’s first unpack what Business to Business Marketing is.

B2B marketing refers to a company’s efforts to sell products or services to other businesses rather than consumers.

Companies that engage in B2B marketing sell goods and services to other businesses that use those goods to produce or distribute products and services themselves. B2B marketing is also known as business-to-business marketing or business marketing.

Unlike Business-to-Consumer (B2C) marketing, in which companies sell directly to consumers, B2B marketing is conducted through wholesalers, retailers, distributors, trade associations, and direct marketing.

B2B marketing may be conducted over the Internet or in person at trade shows or other events at which businesses gather. It differs from business-to-government marketing in primarily involving private rather than public organisations.

B2B Marketing Strategies

The best B2B marketing strategies are tailored to the industry you’re trying to reach.

For example, for software companies, digital marketing strategies might include blogging, creating webinars, and promoting content on social media. For B2B technology companies, marketing strategies might consist of partnering with other companies, developing a referral program, and offering a free trial through webinars and social media marketing.

According to Hootsuite, 43% of South Africans are active social media users.

That means your potential clients and market can be part of the 43% if you position your brand accordingly by understanding your target audience and knowing which social media platforms they use.

At LadyBugz, we have found through testing our own brand that most B2B Companies perform better when they use LinkedIn as their primary digital marketing source.

Today, LinkedIn is more than just a social media platform. It can be a great tool for connecting with prospective clients and building personal and company brands.

LinkedIn is the largest professional network in the world. The site is an excellent fit for businesses to promote themselves and establish connections and build relationships.

We recommend that all of our clients set up a LinkedIn company page, as we know it will be a massive advantage in the long run. It is important to note that once you set up your LinkedIn company page, you must keep it updated and use it as a platform to drive traffic to your website by sharing blogs and important news.

The best way to leverage LinkedIn is also leveraging all its existing features. For example, a part that may be handy for B2B company professionals/ representatives is using the QR Code feature when attending seminars or other networking events.

Why Is Digital Marketing Important for B2B Businesses?

B2B companies have both unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to marketing.

The primary challenges are that you’re dealing with different people and your prospects are generally much further along in the buying process.

The unique opportunities are that you have built-in relationships and an existing network of business contacts.

To take advantage of these opportunities, you need to engage with your prospects throughout the buying process–nurturing relationships and earning trust and credibility.

Digital marketing offers the best opportunity for B2B companies to do this, primarily through the full use of platforms such as LinkedIn.

The best B2B marketing campaigns are ongoing and continuous.

Social media, email marketing, and content marketing are the best ways to keep your company in mind with potential and current customers.

Using these digital marketing strategies, you can also take an in-house approach to grow your B2B business.

When you invest in digital marketing, you’re more likely to reach potential customers than if you don’t invest at all.

You’re also more likely to convert these prospects into customers. Investing in digital marketing is crucial for B2B businesses, so now is the time to make the most out of digital marketing for your B2B business.

Watch this clipfor more on the importance of digital marketing for your B2B brand.