As more of our world’s interactions shift to digital, it’s more important than ever to build a strong online presence for your business. Since people generally need seven or more interactions with your business before making a purchase, your work online needs to be readily available and stand out from the competition. Even if you operate a brick-and-mortar location in a prominent area, people still need a way to find and interact with your business on the web. Here are five ways to build and maintain a solid presence in the digital world.
Business Website
First and foremost, your business needs a functional, attractive website. This may be the first place many people interact with your business, so make that first online impression count. Keep a website up and running, complete with your business’ services, background, and credibility-boosting factors (such as reviews, testimonials, a portfolio, a list of prominent clients, or press features showing off your business). To keep the good times rolling, include a means to get in touch with your business directly (e.g. a business phone number or contact form) and links to your social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.).
Blog Posts
A great way to funnel traffic to your business and maintain a credible online appearance is through practical, interesting blog posts. People may find your business directly through these posts, share them with their friends, or simply keep connecting with your business if they find your content useful. To keep the traffic flow consistent and maintain a fresh appearance online, keep a consistent blog posting schedule. No time to do it yourself? Outsource this task with a monthly blog writing service to ensure that you have quality content to offer your audience on a regular basis.
Social Media
In addition to keeping a solid website with excellent content, consider expanding your online reach by maintaining a strong presence on social media. This is an excellent way to connect with and build relationships with your audience directly. If people can interact with you on these platforms, they’ll continue to build trust with your business. Make the most of online platforms by sharing your own high-quality content, helpful articles by other sources you trust, and practical resources that serve your followers and offer them value from their continued relationship with your business.
Online Features
If you have the opportunity to share your work via an online reporting or entertainment medium (think sites such as Buzzfeed or Forbes), take it. This is an excellent chance to share about your business’ mission and products/services while making your business appear more relatable and personable to your audience. While it’s no silver bullet, it may improve your PR and expand your reach beyond what you could achieve solo.
Strategic Advertisement
The right kind of advertisement may serve your business well by getting your name out there and offering one more touch opportunity to connect with potential customers. Depending on your client base, you might do best with advertising via search engine platforms, social media platforms, or otherwise. This is a much more financially accessible option than it might seem, with pay-per-click options (so you’re only paying for the contacts who actually reach your site) or inexpensive daily budget options starting at only a few dollars per day. For best results, consult with a marketing specialist to flesh out the details and get the most bang for your advertising buck.
An online presence can be challenging to build, but it can make a world of a difference for your business. By providing a place for customers to get a great first impression, connect with your business, and maintain a loyal relationship, you can give your business an edge and keep a steady flow of customers coming.
