Digital Marketing for Financial Services: An Ultimate Guide
You know, we are not rocket scientists. But even a newcomer could see that if you want your business to succeed these days, you need to be on the internet. And it’s not just about getting your website up and running – the way people are using the Web today means that digital marketing for financial services is vital for any such entity looking to reach its target market.
It doesn’t matter what kind of financial services you offer: banks, bank or credit union, investment companies, insurance firms… all of them have customers who use social media sites like Facebook or Twitter every day. And they’re only going to keep doing so as time goes by! So if you don’t have a strategy in place now for how best to reach these people online and make sure they come back again and again, you’re going to be left behind.
In this guide, we’re going to look at what digital marketing is and how it can benefit your financial services business.
What Is Digital Marketing for Finance Services?
Most people these days use the internet for a wide range of activities, including finding information about financial services. So if you’re not using digital marketing to reach out to these potential customers, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Digital marketing for financial services is the process of using online tools and platforms to target potential customers and persuade them to do business with you. This can include anything from setting up a website and blog to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The great thing about digital marketing is that it’s so versatile – you can tailor your approach to suit your specific needs and goals. And because the Web is constantly changing, you can keep your digital marketing strategy updated to reflect the latest trends.
Why Do Financial Services Need Digital Marketing?
There are a few key reasons why marketing financial services is beneficial in a long run:
To Reach New Customers
Most people now go online to find information about products and services before making a purchase. Financial services providers need to be where their potential customers are looking- online platforms.
To Build Trust
People are reluctant to share their personal financial information with strangers, but they are more likely to do so if they trust the company. Digital marketing can help build trust by providing quality content and engaging with customers on social media.
To Compete With Rivals
Financial service providers are not the only ones offering products and services online. They need to use digital marketing to set themselves apart from the competition and stand out from the crowd.
Many People Use the Internet to Research Financial Products Before Making a Purchase
This is especially true for products like mortgages and insurance, which can be complicated and expensive. Financial service providers can reach these customers online by using digital marketing techniques and providing them with the information to make informed decisions.
Communicate With Customers More Effectively
The internet has made it easier for customers to find information about financial products and services. Digital marketing can help financial institutions communicate with their customers more effectively, providing them with the information they need when they need it.
Enhance Customer Loyalty
Digital marketing can also help financial institutions create stronger customer relationships, increasing customer loyalty. This can be beneficial in the long run, leading to more repeat customers and referrals.
Improve ROI
Digital marketing is a cost-effective way to reach more customers and improve ROI. Financial institutions can see a significant return on investment by using digital marketing techniques such as SEO, PPC, and email marketing.
Best Digital Marketing Strategies for Financial Services
There are a number of digital marketing strategies that financial services providers can use to reach more customers and build trust. Some of the most effective methods include:
Create Well-Planned and Easy to Navigate Websites
Your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your financial services. Make sure it is well-planned and easy to navigate, with quality content that will help build trust.
According to recent studies, over 60 percent of people use their mobile devices to search for information online.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and provides a good user experience on all devices.
Plan For Local SEO
Local SEO can help financial services providers reach more potential customers in their local area. target keywords and phrases relevant to their locality, and make sure their website is optimized for local search.
You may also want to consider paid search marketing as a financial institution. Paid search can help you reach more people actively looking for information about financial products and services.
Content Marketing
Even though content marketing is not a new strategy, it is still one of the most innovative and creative ways to build trust and reach new customers. Financial institutions can use content marketing to produce high-quality content that will help educate potential customers about their products and services.
Following are the content marketing strategies that financial services providers can use:
- Blog – A blog is a great way to produce regular content that will help you reach new customers and build trust. Post helpful articles, tips, and case studies on your blog, and make sure to promote them on social media.
- Videos – Video is a powerful content marketing tool that can help financial institutions reach more customers. Produce videos that explain your products and services or show how they work. You can also create customer testimonial videos or interview experts in the field.
- Infographics – Infographics are a great way to share interesting and visually appealing information. Financial institutions can use infographics to share data about their products or services or educate customers about financial topics.
- Email marketing – Email marketing is a great way to reach existing customers and keep them informed about new products, services, and promotions. Send regular email newsletters, and use targeted email marketing to get specific customers.
- Podcasts – Podcasts are a great way to reach customers interested in financial topics. Produce podcasts that discuss financial news, products, and services, and make sure to promote them on social media and your website.
Harp on Personalization
Have you ever walked into a bank, and the teller greets you by name? That’s personalization in action, and it’s a powerful way to build trust and customer loyalty.
Financial services providers can use personalization to create a more personalized experience. This can be done by using data collected from customer interactions to provide customized content, recommendations, and offers.
Educational Videos
Information in this era is valuable. So if you’re going to ask for a person’s email, home address, or phone number, give them something in return.
Many experts suggest providing some form of educational video in order to get customers comfortable with sharing their personal information. Once they’ve watched the video, it’ll be easier for you to market your products and services to them.
Social Media Marketing
Social media is a great way to connect with potential new and existing customers. Financial services companies can use social media to share content, answer customer questions, and build relationships with customers.
Be sure to create social media profiles for your business and optimize them for search engines. Use hashtags to reach more people, and run social media contests and giveaways to engage customers.
Get Positive Customer Reviews
One of the best ways to build trust is by getting positive customer reviews. Financial institutions can ask customers to write reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
Common Challenges Faced by Financial Service Companies When Implementing Digital Marketing
Commoditization
When almost any company can offer the same products and services, it becomes difficult to differentiate your business from the competition. This can be a challenge in the financial services industry because of the many regulations that must be followed.
Lack of Consumer Trust
Trust is a key factor in the financial sector, and it can be difficult to build and maintain. In order to overcome this challenge, financial services companies need to focus on transparency and customer service.
Intangible Offerings
Products and services in the financial services market can be difficult to understand and sometimes intangible. This can make it difficult for financial service companies to convey the value of their products and services to customers.
Regulations
The financial services sector is heavily regulated, making it difficult for companies to keep up with the latest regulations. This can also make it difficult for companies to use digital marketing tactics such as email marketing and social media.
Digital Marketing Trends for Financial Services
Chatbots
Chatbots are artificial intelligence that allows customers to interact with businesses using natural language. Financial service companies can use chatbots to provide customer service, answer questions, and promote products and services.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is a technology that allows customers to experience a product or service in a virtual environment. Financial services firms might use virtual reality to demonstrate products, educate customers, and provide customer support.
Live Stream & Webinars
Live streams and webinars are a great way to connect with existing and potential customers. Since they are live, customers can ask questions and get answers in real-time. Financial service companies can use live streams and webinars to share content, answer customer questions, and build relationships.
Data-Driven Digital Marketing
Data is a valuable asset for financial service companies. By using data-driven digital marketing, companies can target specific customers with relevant content and offers. This allows companies to focus their marketing efforts on those most likely to buy from them.
Conclusion
In order to stay ahead of the competition, financial service providers must focus on innovation and customer service. In addition, companies should use digital marketing trends such as chatbots, virtual reality, and live streaming. By doing so, financial service providers can reach more customers and build stronger relationships with them.
If you would like to discuss your digital marketing strategy further, reach out to us at DF Studios and let’s assist you with a consultation.
