Strengthening Your Business’s Internet Presence
Your business needs to have a strong internet presence. This means having a website that is well-designed and easy to navigate, as well as being active on social media.
Here are some effective ways to strengthen your business’s Internet presence.
1. A website that works for you
Many businesses still rely on the traditional “brochure” style of the website. However, this isn’t an effective way to present content these days,especially if it’s cluttered and difficult to navigate. As more consumers look online rather than in physical locations for information, you need a website that works for you.
When designing a new website, consider having multiple contact points present on the site so potential customers can get in touch with your business from anywhere. At the very least, have an email address and phone number displayed. Why does this matter? It’s important to future-proof your business. Even if you get a lot of telephone inquiries, it’s wise to have online contact details so your customers can get in touch however they prefer.
A clean and easy-to-navigate structure is important for any good website, no matter the size or type of business. It’s also worth considering having a blog on your site. This will keep your website active and attract links (backlinks) to your site, which are good for your SEO rankings.
2. Social media isn’t just a fad
If you have a list of digital marketing options that need undertaking, social media should be at the top – it’s important. Having an active presence on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will help raise awareness of your brand.
Many digital marketing agencies offer services to manage social media accounts on behalf of businesses. This can be helpful if you are too busy running the company to have time for the digital side of things. If you want to save some money by doing it yourself, consider hiring a digital marketing intern who can dedicate time to social media management.
3. Reviews and testimonials
Your digital presence isn’t just about digital; it’s also about physical locations and how you present yourself in the real world too! If you have physical stores, consider having customer reviews or feedback proudly displayed on your window or a noticeboard inside. This can be something as simple as a “Please fill out this quick survey!” sign, asking customers how they feel about your business.
Customer testimonials are also a great way to show potential customers that you’re trustworthy and have experience in your field. These should be displayed on your website and shared with the use of social media.
4. Be consistent
Being consistent is important throughout all your marketing endeavors – with websites, social media accounts, and physical locations. This means having the same information across all platforms so customers can find you with ease, ensuring they view your business in a positive light.
If you have several different phone numbers or email addresses listed, consider consolidating them. This way, customers can find what they are looking for easily. Consistency in branding is also important. If you have a logo designed, ensure it’s displayed across your marketing materials,including social media. Your logo should be an instantly recognizable part of your brand, like how the WIFI symbol is for Google.
5. Be active on review sites
You can’t control what people say about your business, but you can control what is said about you on sites like Google Reviews. Ensure that all comments are monitored and that only positive reviews are shared with the community. This will improve your online presence as more positive reviews come up higher in search engine results than negative ones.
If you have a physical store or location, consider having someone on hand to answer questions and share advice with potential customers. People often search online for information on a subject or product before making a purchase decision. Having someone available to provide active support can be the difference between closing a sale and losing out.
6. A strong business logo
A business logo is often the first point of contact between a customer and your brand; you must reflect your company in this. Your logo should be simple, clean, and professional, capturing the personality of your company without being too flashy. If you’re not great at designing, consider hiring a graphic designer to create your logo for you. They should provide several versions of your logo suited for different purposes, such as physical manifestations and digital presentations.
A strong business name and logo is the foundation of any good brand; by strengthening these components, you can give your customers an insight into your company and present a positive image.
The internet is a major part of how we do business today. So, companies need to look for ways to increase their internet presence to connect with their market.
