If you've ever considered launching an online business, you're definitely not alone. Thousands of hopeful entrepreneurs take to the internet each year in the hopes of striking it big with their small business ideas. Of course, without the right tools, too many of these would-be successes stay just that: ideas.

To reach potential customers and hit sales goals, you need to consider a few key components. These include social media, email marketing, target audience engagement, and business agility. When you're looking for digital success, this is what you need to know.

1. Take a smarter approach to marketing

Digital marketing is either going to make or break your business. Each component of marketing serves a precise function. From search engine optimization (SEO) to website design and graphic design, your marketing strategy is part of the overall user experience. If you don't know engine optimization, website design or graphic design best practices, you can always contact a digital marketing agency or a team of web developers for your SEO and web design needs. It's as easy as a location-specific search, like "Denver web design companies." Whether you need a new website, SEO assistance, social media marketing or a solid PPC campaign, a digital marketing agency can help.

2. You need a robust website

While web design is a component of your overall marketing strategy, website development is its own unique challenge. Since your web design will inform the overall user experience, you need to ensure that it's crisp, clear and ready for mobile search engines. This can help gain visibility with your customer base. It starts with the right content management system (CMS). Many web design tools don't require you to be familiar with JavaScript, HTML5, or CSS. You simply need to know how to drag and drop elements into their proper places. If you need the help of a web design agency, do some searching. Your website is likely your first point of contact with customers so you want the best results.

3. Leverage the cloud

You need to maintain agility, especially if you're interested in running a more technically oriented business. Typically, this is only offered by the robust features of cloud computing. Services like Turbot work with a variety of industries to help them leverage the cloud more effectively. From startups to enterprises, Turbot offers user and permission management, data protection, and monitoring for easier cloud access and usage. In essence, Turbot is a powerful tool that can bring your digital business to fruition. The ROI on Turbot doesn't hurt, either.

4. Scope out the competition

You've researched Turbot. You have an idea of what digital marketing services you do and don't need. You've taken a crash course on SEO. Now what? Well, it's time to see what your competitors are doing and find ways to do it better. Whether this means developing a more responsive website, strategizing with your digital marketing firm or hiring a copywriter to spruce up your blogs, you need to find ways to draw your target audience away from other businesses. It'll help you in the long run.

5. Consider going mobile

While you may not need a mobile app, it's true that many customers in the United States prefer a more mobile-oriented experience. Though it hasn't been this way for a long time, the length of mobile-forward trends is still worth noting. You need to ensure that you're working with multiple mobile channels to reach your customers not only where they are, but when they are as well.

From content marketing and search engine data to building an effective website and using Turbot for cloud access, there are multiple steps to your digital business timeline. It'll be a learning curve, but these tips can help you overcome it.