Do you want to go online and have no idea where to start?
We are in a world today where we are connected. The internet, along with smart phones has changed the way business has been done. Here are some tips for running a successful online business:
- Keep Your Website design simple and well-organised
Make sure your website is designed in a way that visitors can easily find what they are looking for immediately. You want to make sure your text is easy to read. Dark text on a simple light background is the safest way to go. Only use graphics, audio, or video if they enhance your message. Make it easy to buy – no more than two clicks between potential customer and checkout. Your website is your online storefront, so make sure its customer friendly.
Organise your web assets. Your webs assets are everything from your website to your social media profiles to your hosting account. All relevant assets should be optimized for your brand. For example, your social media and web pages should have relevant keywords. They should fall into an integrated marketing plan. This should be completely updated with the latest information about your company.
- Respond to your visitors Promptly and maintain customers records safely.
When a visitor, a potential customer, emails you or fills out your contact form it is essential that you get back to them as soon as possible. People always take a mental note of how long it takes an online business to get back to them. There is loads of competition out there now to let potential clients slip through the cracks because you were not diligent enough to follow through.
You have a legal obligation to protect any customer information obtained online. For example, you should store information on separate devices and have several secure backups. You should have a system in place to destroy thinks like credit card details securely when they are no longer needed.
- Write copy that sells
There is a proven sales copy formula that takes visitors through the selling process from the moment they arrive to the moment they make a purchase. Throughout copy you need to focus on how your product or service is uniquely able to solve people’s problems or make their lives better. Think like a customer and ask, “what’s in it for me?”
- Engage your visitors
If you can turn your visitors into active contributors on your website, you will be able to increase loyalty and sales. The simplest way is to open a blog and open it up for comments from visitors. Set yourself up on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and start conversations/share and inform your customers with high quality answers and content.
- Know your competition
Your business should know their competition. You need to know who you are competing against so you can know why your customers chose you over others or vice versa. Be aware of social media channels and look through your competitions keyword research with tools that google provides.
- Protect your Brands Online Reputation
An online business is all about reputation. The slightest mistake can taint your brand forever. The key is management. Setup a Google alerts notification for your brand. This way you can track anyone you mention your brand. Learn to deal with customer complaints and adopt the mindset of solving problems, even if the customer is wrong.
- Invest on a good internet connection.
If you are online, you need a good internet connection. Without a fast internet connection, you could miss out on orders and questions. In short, your business could be paralysed.
- Stay on top of the latest trends
The online world is changing constantly and evolving. Furthermore, your see social media trends evolving all the time. You need to be on top of this so you can on the cutting edge of online marketing and branding.
- Be Persistent
Few businesses become overnight success stories. This is just something you need to realise when you are in the business world. Persistence will pay off at the end of the day if you continue to do the right things and have a positive attitude. Be consistent and stay focused on your goals.
Not sure if you know this but did you know most start-ups take three to five years before they start turning in a profit?
- Remember at the end of the day your customers are STILL real people
Customer service will always be around and that is why we need to maintain good relationships with our clients. If you cannot help them with a request let them know that you have exhausted every avenue to try help them and refer them to someone who can help. Even though you may not be able to help them at that point of time they WILL remember that you went the extra mile for them and tell their friends via word of mouth or by social media. Either way you can go to bed at night knowing that you have held your company’s reputation high and that everyone who deals with you is satisfied. No matter how digital the business world gets, you are and will always be DEALING WITH REAL PEOPLE. Reputation is everything, do not forget that.
Tips on how to make sure your CUSTOMERS find you online
Digital marketing is not just about finding customers online, it is about getting found online by your customers. Here are some ways to increase your digital presence online:
Get more positive reviews
Word of mouth today is trusted more than ever online, as people will trust what even a total stranger has to say about another business. Getting positive reviews is a great way to increase your chances of getting found online. It is very important to monitor positive and negative reviews to show potential customers that you care about their feedback. Your online reputation is everything!
Get listed on Directories.
Today when a person wants to find a product or service there is a very good chance that they will look online. Online directories are the digital version of phone books. If you have no visibility online and your details are nor correct you are limiting the ability for potential customers to fins you online. Make sure your listing is correct and keep consistency across all major directories including Google My Business and Bing local.
Use Social Media
Social media is an essential way to attract new customers and build your prospective audience. Your audience will spend time on their interests, explore their hobbies and stay in touch with their networks and make everyday decisions. To get found online you need to identify the right social media platform for you to market your business. Start posting regularly and use all relevant hashtags to your business.
Map Listings
Online Maps, like Google maps, are highly trafficked channel for customers to your business. Getting your business on Google maps doesn’t just give people directions to your location it makes your business easily found online by searching for it.
Video for Small Business
Video Marketing is a highly engaging way of getting your message across that can help grab your customers attention span. Make a video shorter than 30 seconds and draw more attention to your business online.
Images for Visual Marketing
Engaging with people and helping them put a face to your business. Posting them on social media platforms humanizes your brand.
Great business website
Having a great website in todays tech savvy world is a critical component for any online marketing strategy. Once you are set up, you’ll want to make sure that its working as effectively as possible for you.
Business Blogging
Starting and maintaining a business blog is a great way to attract new customers. Having a business blog increases your online presence but strengthens it even more because it improves SEO – which in turn results in greater online visibility. Today, getting found online by potential customers is a huge aspect of owning a business- especially local businesses. Focus on these eight online presence tips and get your business found online!
