How to Build a Digital Business Strategy: Tips and Examples

Running a business today is very different from even five years ago. Technology shapes everything — from how customers find you to how you deliver products and services. Without a clear digital business strategy, many companies lose ground fast.

In fact, a 2024 Gartner survey found that 87% of senior business leaders say digitalization is their top priority.

But building a digital strategy isn't just about setting up a website or posting on social media. It is a clear plan that connects technology, customers, and business goals. Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks have shown that smart digital moves can drive huge growth, improve customer loyalty, and open new markets.

If you are wondering why your sales are stuck or why competitors are moving ahead, the answer could be your digital strategy or the lack of one. A strong strategy can help you boost your brand, reach new customers, and run operations more smoothly.

In this article we will walk you through what a digital business strategy is, why it matters now more than ever, and how you can build one step-by-step.

A digital business strategy is a clear plan that shows how a company will use technology to reach its goals.

It is not just about having a website or an online store. It connects digital tools, customer needs, and business plans into one simple system.

For example, a restaurant that starts offering online orders and delivery through an app is using digital strategy. A clothing brand that personalizes shopping experiences on its website based on customer data is doing the same thing.

Good digital strategies focus on creating value for customers. They make buying easier, faster, and more personal. They also help businesses save time, cut costs, and make better decisions using data.

Research from Statista shows that global spending on digital transformation reached over $1.5 trillion in 2024. This number keeps growing as more businesses see how strong digital planning can change their future.

Without a digital strategy, businesses risk falling behind. Customers expect easy access, fast service, and personal touches. Companies that fail to meet these needs often lose them to competitors who do it better.

Building a strong digital business strategy means focusing on the right pieces. Each part works together to help your company grow, reach customers, and stay ahead.

Let’s break them down:

Without goals, it's hard to know if your digital efforts are working. You need to decide what you want to achieve. Do you want to grow online sales by 30% in a year? Improve customer satisfaction by 20%? Specific goals give your team clear direction.

A survey by McKinsey found that companies with clear digital goals are twice as likely to succeed compared to those without.

Technology is the engine of any digital strategy. It includes websites, mobile apps, customer management tools, cloud systems, and even AI. But it's not about using every tool. It’s about picking what fits your goals and customer needs.

For example, a local shop might not need a big AI system but could grow fast by setting up a smooth online store with payment options.

Happy customers are the heart of any business. A good digital plan makes their experience easy and enjoyable. It could be a simple checkout, faster delivery, or sending personal offers by email.

In fact, research shows 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience.

Data helps you see what’s working and what’s not. Tracking website visits, sales numbers, customer feedback, and campaign results gives you real facts, not guesses. You can then adjust your actions based on what the data tells you.

Companies using data well are 23 times more likely to get new customers, according to Bain & Company.

Technology moves fast. A digital strategy should help your business adjust quickly. Testing new ideas, launching small changes, and listening to customer feedback keeps you flexible.

Think of how Zoom grew during the 2020 lockdowns. They adapted fast, scaled their systems, and became a household name.

The way people shop, work, and connect has changed for good. Digital habits are now part of everyday life. If a business doesn't have a clear digital strategy, it risks losing customers, missing growth chances, and falling behind.

A report by IDC shows that over 65% of global GDP is now linked to digital systems. This means companies that ignore digital trends are losing access to most of the world's spending.

Let's look at why having a digital business strategy matters so much:

Customers today expect easy online shopping, quick service, and personal experiences. If your company does not meet these needs, customers will move to someone who does. A Salesforce study found that 80% of customers believe the experience a company offers is just as important as its products or services.

Even simple things like a fast website, mobile-friendly design, or personalized emails can make a huge difference.

Trends shift quickly. New platforms, tools, and habits appear all the time. Without a flexible digital plan, it's hard to react in time. Businesses that adapt faster are the ones that survive and grow.

For example, TikTok was almost unknown five years ago. Today, brands that mastered TikTok marketing early are leading in younger markets.

Automation tools, smart software, and cloud services help companies run faster and cheaper. They reduce manual work, improve customer service, and speed up decision-making. Small companies can now compete with larger ones simply by using the right tech.

According to Deloitte, companies using digital tools well report 23% higher revenue growth compared to those that don't.

Digital strategies can unlock fresh income sources. Businesses can sell online, offer subscription services, or run digital products like online courses. A local bakery might sell baking classes on Zoom. A fitness trainer can build an app with paid video workouts.

Digital growth is not just for tech giants. It's for every smart business, big or small.

A good digital business strategy isn’t just about being online. It’s about reaching clear goals that help your company grow, serve customers better, and work smarter.

Here’s what a smart digital strategy should aim to do:

A strong strategy helps businesses reach more people and sell more products or services.

For example, Shopify reported that online sales grew by over 15% worldwide in 2024, and small businesses with an online presence saw the biggest gains.

Even local businesses, like bakeries or hair salons, are reaching new customers by selling gift cards, taking online bookings, or offering delivery.

Digital tools make work faster and cheaper. Instead of filling out paperwork, staff can manage orders, customers, and payments through simple apps.
Instead of calling every customer, you can send automated updates through email or SMS.

A report from PwC says that companies using digital operations cut costs by up to 30% while improving service speed.

Simple steps like setting up an online helpdesk or using CRM software can save hours every week.

Customers love fast, easy, and personal service.

A digital strategy lets you:

According to a survey by PWC, 73% of people say experience is a top factor when deciding to buy.

Happy customers spend more and come back more often.

Think of Amazon’s one-click checkout or Starbucks’ mobile app rewards — both made life easier for customers, which helped their business grow.

Standing out online is harder than before. But a clear digital strategy helps you show what makes you special.
It could be faster service, better prices, a personal shopping experience, or eco-friendly packaging.

Brands that offer unique digital experiences — like Nike's custom shoe design platform — build stronger connections with their audience.

Having a fresh, active digital presence helps people trust your brand faster.

Building a digital business strategy sounds big, but when you break it into simple steps, it becomes much easier to understand and do.
Let's start with the first two steps that set the strong foundation:

You can’t build a strong digital business strategy if you don’t know what you want to achieve.
Clear goals help you and your team stay focused.

Ask simple questions like:

Make sure your goals are SMART:

For example, instead of saying "increase website traffic," a clear goal would be: "Get 5,000 monthly visitors to our online store within six months."

Companies that set specific digital goals are 2.5 times more likely to succeed, according to a study by BCG (Boston Consulting Group).

Clear goals give you a map. Without them, you’re just guessing.

Before rushing into building a digital business strategy, it’s smart to check where you stand today.

A digital readiness audit looks at your:

You can ask:

Even big companies sometimes skip this step and regret it later. A report by Deloitte found that nearly 45% of businesses underestimate their digital gaps when they start without an audit.

An honest audit helps you see what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to improve before you plan the next move.

You can’t build a smart digital business strategy without knowing your customers well.
Understanding how they discover you, interact with you, and decide to buy is key.

Think about questions like:

A study by Salesforce showed that 66% of customers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations.

Mapping your customers’ digital journey helps you:

For example, if most customers visit your Instagram page before buying, you should focus more time and ads there, not somewhere else.

Once you understand your customers, the next move in building a digital business strategy is picking the right actions.

You can’t do everything at once.
So you need to focus on what brings the fastest or biggest value.

Start by listing digital ideas like:

Then ask:

A report from Forrester found that businesses that prioritize customer-focused digital projects first are 60% more likely to grow faster than competitors.

Choosing the right tools is important when building a digital business strategy.
You want technology that helps you grow without making things complicated.

Start by thinking about what your business really needs:

Instead of buying many separate tools, it’s better to use an all-in-one platform that connects everything in one place.
This saves money, time, and avoids tech headaches.

Venturz is a great example of an all-in-one platform. It brings together website building, customer management, email marketing, and data tracking — all under one roof. Using one system makes managing your digital business much easier and faster.

According to HubSpot, businesses that integrate their tech stack well see 25% more productivity and up to 30% lower tech costs.

Choosing the right setup early helps your team work smarter, not harder.

Data is the fuel for smart business moves. Without data, you’re guessing instead of knowing.

A good data strategy helps you:

Start small. Track basic numbers first, like:

As you grow, you can add more data like customer behavior or product trends.

Important:

For example, if you see that 70% of customers visit your website on mobile but your mobile sales are low, you know it’s time to fix your mobile checkout.

Research shows that data-driven companies are 23 times more likely to get new customers compared to those who guess.

With a simple data plan, your digital business strategy will stay strong, smart, and focused.

A strong digital business strategy needs more than good tools — it needs people ready to use them.
Your team should feel confident with technology, not scared by it.

For instance, examining AIOps use cases can reveal opportunities to leverage AI assistants for streamlining operations across your workforce and significantly boost productivity.

Simple ways to build a digital mindset:

For example, a small retail shop trained staff on using a CRM system. In just six months, repeat sales jumped by 22% because customers got more personal service.

Using an all-in-one platform like Venturz also helps. It gives your team easy access to the tools they need without making things complicated.

Companies with a strong digital culture are five times more likely to grow faster, says BCG. If your team feels ready, your digital strategy will move faster and work better.

Building a digital business strategy sounds exciting, but it often comes with real-world bumps. Knowing these challenges early can help you fix problems before they slow you down.

Let’s look at the most common ones:

Some employees may feel uncomfortable using new tools or changing old habits.
This slows down progress and lowers team energy.

How to overcome:

For instance, a company that introduced digital payments shared weekly updates on how faster checkouts were making customers happier. Staff quickly saw the benefits and got on board.

With so many tools out there, it’s easy to pick the wrong ones.
Buying too many disconnected systems leads to higher costs and slow operations.

How to overcome:

Keeping your tech stack simple is key to building a digital business strategy that actually works.

Digital tools and marketing can seem expensive, especially for small businesses. It’s tempting to delay projects or cut corners.

How to overcome:

A study by Deloitte shows that businesses that stick to their digital plans, even with tight budgets, see 25% faster revenue growth than those who delay.

Without a roadmap, digital projects can go in circles. Teams waste time, lose focus, and miss deadlines.

How to overcome:

Remember, a digital business strategy is like a map. Without one, you’re just wandering.

Picking the right digital business strategies can move a company forward faster than anything else.
Here are five expert suggestions you can use to see real growth.

SEO helps your business get found on Google. When people search for products or services you offer, good SEO makes sure your website shows up before your competitors.

What to do:

Local SEO is also very important. If you have a shop, restaurant, or office, you want to show up when someone nearby searches "best coffee shop near me" or "lawyer in New York." Claim your Google My Business profile, add correct addresses, phone numbers, and encourage customer reviews.

Businesses that rank higher on local searches get 70% more foot traffic, according to a study by Review Trackers.

Strong SEO builds trust, brings steady traffic, and increases sales without paying for ads every day.

Customers expect brands to know what they want.
Sending the same email to everyone won’t cut it anymore.

What to do:

For example, Amazon’s smart product suggestions drive 35% of its total sales through personalized recommendations.

When customers feel like you “get them,” they buy more and stay longer.

Quick responses build trust. But answering every customer message by hand gets hard as you grow.

What to do:

Studies show that 82% of consumers expect immediate responses to sales or service questions .Automation saves time and makes your business look sharp and professional.

In 2025, customers expect easy checkout options. If paying feels hard, they quit.

What to do:

Businesses that offer fast checkout options see a 20% boost in completed sales, according to Baymard Institute research. A smooth checkout can turn casual browsers into loyal buyers.

People trust other people more than ads. A community makes customers feel part of something bigger.

What to do:

A great example is Glossier, a beauty brand that built a huge online community through real customer stories and open feedback.

Building a digital business strategy that includes community can lower marketing costs while growing brand loyalty naturally.

Building a digital business strategy means finding smart ways to use technology to reach your goals. Here are five general examples that show what strong digital business strategies can look like in real life.

A small bakery sets up a simple online store where customers can order cakes, pastries, and bread for pickup or delivery.
They also add a loyalty program that rewards customers who order online.

Why it works:

Instead of relying only on in-person sessions, a fitness coach builds a digital platform with live Zoom workouts and recorded video courses.
They promote the classes through social media ads and email newsletters.

Why it works:

An online clothing store uses customer data to recommend outfits based on previous purchases, season, and size.
They also send special discount offers by email on birthdays.

Why it works:

A plumbing business focuses heavily on local search.
They optimize their website for terms like "emergency plumber near me," collect Google reviews, and update their Google My Business profile every month.

Why it works:

A small independent bookstore builds a simple app where customers earn points every time they buy.
The app also sends notifications about book launches, author events, and exclusive sales.

Why it works:

You can't just launch a digital business plan and hope for the best.
You need to track real numbers to see what’s working and what needs fixing.

Here’s how smart businesses measure the success of their digital business strategy:

Measuring the right KPIs gives you a clear picture of how well your digital strategy for small business is doing.

Some important ones include:

The bottom line matters. Look at how your digital business plan affects overall revenue:

According to a McKinsey report, companies that excel in digital strategies see five times faster revenue growth than their competitors.

Happy customers buy more and recommend you to others. Use simple surveys or feedback forms to track satisfaction scores. Sites like Trustpilot and Google Reviews can also show how your reputation is building over time. Even asking one simple question — “How likely are you to recommend us?” — can reveal a lot.

Digital tools should make work easier, not harder. Check if your systems are saving time and reducing errors:

A Forrester study found that businesses using automation tools save an average of 20% in operational costs.

Innovation keeps businesses alive. If you are rolling out new features, products, or digital services every few months, it’s a sign your digital strategy is working.

Track:

Faster innovation shows that your digital business plan is future-ready and not stuck in old ways.

A clear digital business strategy helps a company grow stronger, work smarter, and serve customers better.
It gives you a clear plan to use technology in ways that fit your business goals.

Small steps, like improving your website, setting clear targets, and tracking your results, can lead to real improvements over time. Choosing the right tools and measuring what matters will help you stay focused and adjust as needed.

A digital business plan is not about doing everything at once. It’s about making smart moves that build long-term success.

Starting now will help your business stay competitive and ready for the future.