3 Things Your Business Needs to Do Online
4 min read
Google reports that most people use the internet to find local businesses. It’s likely your competitors are well established online and you should be, too. Even for small businesses, establishing a strong online presence is a critical part of your marketing strategy.
Your outbound marketing campaign will be substantially smoother if you have a good online presence. Likewise, your inbound marketing campaign is also dependent on producing and maintaining quality content online. After all, it’s not just enough to have a website or a profile on Facebook. You need to make sure that what you put on your website and post on social media is compelling and useful enough to draw and keep potential customers.
These are the three most important things to consider when you’re building your online marketing campaign.
- Social media
Social media can be an integral part of your online presence. It increases your chances of increasing revenue and customer loyalty. Customers, potential customers, and other interested parties can easily engage via social media channels that play an important part in their daily lives.
While not all social media channels are relevant for every business, it is worth exploring your options. Facebook and Twitter, for example, will serve any purpose. These multipurpose platforms enable you to post tips and news and also ask questions.
You might also find Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube useful. You should research all channels to determine if they are right for you. For businesses that sell photo-worthy products, such as jewelry, cupcakes, or art, Instagram is an excellent photo-sharing platform. Consider your target audience. Instagram has hundreds of millions of users. More than two-thirds are women aged 18-35. You will need a smartphone to access Instagram and interact with your followers.
Once you have decided which social media channels you will use, you will be able to determine the type of content that you are able to share. For example, service providers may find that their clients gravitate toward more comprehensive content, such as what this company provides.
Your followers will be more inclined to like, comment, and share engaging content if it is compelling and engaging. Engaging customers is key to marketing your brand. Not only will this make you more attractive to them, but it will also increase the likelihood that their friends will see your brand and be interested in what you have to share.
- Your flagship website
Every business, regardless of size, should have a flagship site. Although this website can be very basic, it should provide all the essential information that customers (both current and future) require. Restaurants that do not have a website listing current menus, hours, locations, and contact information are a common problem. Unfortunately, these eateries often lose out to competitors that do have these websites.
WordPress makes it easy to create a basic website. WordPress is a free content management and blogging system. Users have the option to upgrade to the premium version. You can add an online store if it is relevant to your business.
Survey your customers if you are starting from scratch. This is the best way to get insight. People love to share their opinions and want to be involved.
- Search engine optimization
It is essential that your website can be found on search engines once it has been created. Search engines are used by most people to search for a product, service, or business before they make a purchase. You can take advantage of this by optimizing search engine optimization (SEO) for your website.
Here’s a quick overview of SEO to help you understand what it is, how it works and why it’s so important.
- What: SEO’s purpose is to make it easier for search engines to find your site and include it in their organic (as against paid) results.
- Why: Because search engines are largely trusted by people, websites that rank high on results pages are more likely to receive traffic. Most surfers don’t bother to look past the first page or two of search results.
- When: SEO is an ongoing process. It is important to keep an eye on the information on your website, and ensure that it is accurate and current. Search engines love new content. This is why a blog can be a great way to improve your SEO.
- Where: The most popular search engines are Google, Yahoo! and Bing. They allow people to find the information they are looking for, whether it is products or services.
Search online for comprehensive guides to help you optimize and improve your website.
