Training and earning user buy-in on a new platform is arguably the toughest part of any technology implementation. But you don’t have to go it alone.  If you want to implement Quickbooks, you work with an authorized reseller. When you onboard a new project management system, you work with a dedicated representative. And when you’re ready to leverage HubSpot for your marketing, sales, and customer success needs, you work with SmartBug Media.® (At least, you should!)  SmartBug is the destination for HubSpot expertise, strategy, and implementation, with a team of certified HubSpot train ..read more

An oldie-but-a-goodie, search engine optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing staple. Blog posts. Keywords. Google changing the rules seemingly every day. You definitely must stay sharp to hit the top of search engine results pages (SERPs). But it’s not just one tech giant writing the script today—it’s the entire technology landscape.  The next frontier? Generative engine optimization (GEO), drawing on the rapid ascent of artificial intelligence (AI). Take a trip down memory lane to see where SEO has taken us so far, and explore the importance of GEO in future-proofing your SEO strategie ..read more

Welcome to our blog series, where we highlight some of the latest updates from HubSpot! As an agency specializing in full service digital marketing, we understand the importance of staying on top of the latest tools and features to help our clients reach their marketing and sales goals. HubSpot has been our trusted partner and continues to innovate with new and improved products that drive results for our clients. This blog post will explore the latest product updates and how they can benefit your business. Get ready to stay ahead and take your digital and inbound marketing strategy to the nex ..read more

Businesses are more competitive than ever, and you want to make sure your company has what it takes to create the best product or service of its kind. One part of this is implementing customer feedback to enhance your products and improve the customer experience. Let’s take a look at how to collect customer feedback and what you should be aware of throughout the process. Why Is Customer Feedback Important? Gathering customer feedback is an essential part of shaping the overall experience for current and potential customers. Without feedback, you’ll never know if your customers receive value fr ..read more

Fitness professionals face challenges with email marketing in getting—and keeping—the attention of potential customers. Personalization can help address these challenges by delivering relevant and targeted content to your audience based on individuals’ needs and preferences. The entire customer journey, from nurturing new leads to retaining those leads and turning them into loyal customers, can benefit from personalization.  Here’s a look at how personalization and segmentation in fitness marketing can help professionals in this industry expand their client base while building trust and l ..read more

You know that the business landscape is more competitive than ever, and you believe your company has what it takes to rise above—but do you know if your customers’ sentiment backs up that belief?  A successful company not only creates a customer-centric experience but also ensures that the needs, expectations, and preferences of its customers are integrated into the core culture of the entire organization. Leaders can use customer feedback to gather data on satisfaction and sentiment and use that data to drive their companies to success by including it in their business models. This artic ..read more

Understanding the rate of growth calculation and profit margins is essential for financial and revenue operation leaders. These metrics equip leaders with valuable insights into financial health and are key in data-driven decision-making. By diving into these metrics, you can create strategic revenue goals and identify opportunities to increase the bottom line.  What Are Growth Rates? Simply put, growth rates show the percentage of growth in a certain area over a certain period. For example, a company’s annual growth rate indicates the percentage of change in revenue year over y ..read more

Customer acquisition is critical to the success of your business. I know—no pressure, right?  A customer acquisition platform can make or break your business, so it’s important to find the ideal channels that work for your company. Let’s take a look at how you can find the perfect platform—and how to tell if it’s working for you. What Is Customer Acquisition Cost? Customer acquisition cost is the total amount a business spends to acquire new customers. This includes up-front costs, such as pay-per-click (PPC) ads, and ongoing efforts such as email campaigns. Understanding how much you’re ..read more

The franchise industry continues to evolve, and so do the marketing strategies franchises use to connect with customers and drive success. Businesses must keep pace with the latest developments to stay ahead of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the key trends driving franchise marketing in 2024. The Rise of AI in Franchise Marketing Artificial intelligence (AI) made a big splash in the marketing world in 2023 and is showing no signs of slowing down in 2024. AI empowers franchise marketers to realize operational efficiency at both the local franchisee and global franchisor levels ..read more

Go-to-market (GTM) strategies are a blend of aspiration and reality. Balancing these ideas challenges businesses to create a road map for success—a guide to how they’ll generate interest in their products and services and what support they’ll need to achieve this.  With a well-defined GTM strategy that accounts for all stakeholders and builds a scalable plan, your revenue targets can be more accurate and realistic. Read on to find out how. What Is a Go-to-Market Strategy? Although any company can benefit from a solid GTM strategy, only some businesses truly take advantage of them. A Produ ..read more