If you're looking to reach increased volumes of potential customers, growing online business may be one of the most powerful tactics. Your company's visibility on the Internet is a key to your success, and it may be measured by how easy it is for someone to find your business when searching online.
If a customer is to search for a type of product sold by your company and your business is one of the first search results, you would have a robust online presence. In the following article, we will provide some effective tips on how to improve your online presence by optimizing your website, becoming involved with social media, and diversifying the types of content released.
You may wonder, how to increase your online presence? First of all, online presence for a business refers to how a company establishes and maintains its identity on the internet. It encompasses aspects such as the business's website, social media profiles, search engine rankings, and any other platforms where it interacts or communicates with its customers and stakeholders digitally. It is one of the main factors allowing you to expand your customer base, especially since consumers are turning to the Internet to find products and services now more than ever. Not only will more individuals be introduced to your company, but it will also enhance your sense of authority and reputation.
However, improving online presence may take a while and often requires significant consideration. Nevertheless, it's worth it. Lin McCraw from McCraw's Law group speaks on this importance, supporting the delegation of time and resources to increase online presence:
"Getting clients online needs to be seen as part of an ongoing marketing system that you build over time and care for and maintain for the rest of your professional life. Online presence in multiple formats is the billboards and TV of now. There is no magic pill to dominate the tasks of getting new clients online. It is not difficult, but it is time-consuming and requires regular attention. You cannot defer attention to your online presence and become a leader or remain important."
Lin McCraw, Owner of McCraw Law Group
A website for your company is vital for growing your online presence and targeting potential end-users. Websites may act as a central location for individuals looking to learn more about your business and when seeking information to aid their purchasing decisions. If you don't have a site yet, there are a few essential components you'll want to consider.
First, a few pages should display your work, products, and services that you can provide customers with. This is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on your unique skills and offerings to draw consumers in.
Additionally, including a bio and some headshots of your team members will allow others to get to know you better. If possible, adding testimonials from previous customers or clients will be an effective way to share your company's strengths.
Lastly, you'll want to include contact information so that individuals may address any concerns or questions.
Once your website is where you want it, there are a few ways to optimize it:
Check that your site is correctly displayed on multiple devices to ensure it is user-friendly;
Ensure your site speed is relatively fast, so users aren't met with negative experiences after waiting extended amounts of time for something to load;
Keep all information updated, such as headshots, links, points of contact, and examples of your work;
Design your site so that it is easy and inviting to look at. This may mean reducing the amount of flashy and bright colors or text; and
Optimize the URLs by including relevant keywords broken up with hyphens so they are easy to read.
If you already have a website and are looking to explore adding advanced features, you may want to consider a live chat function or even developing a mobile app.
Using social media to connect with customers and engage with influencers is a highly effective way to improve online presence. By building these relationships, you may be introduced to opportunities such as becoming a guest on their platforms.
In turn, you'll be able to reach their audience and increase traffic to your site. Additionally, by being cited on other sites, your credibility may be strengthened. There are various social media platforms, and figuring out which ones to use and how to increase online presence with their help may be daunting. The good news is that you can achieve successful results by only using 2-3 platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are businesses' three most popular social media platforms. Furthermore, creating content does not require much time; we suggest delegating around 20 minutes daily to create media for your sites.
When deciding what types of media to choose, there are many different types you can cycle through to keep things fresh! This may entail:
Blogs or articles;
Youtube videos;
Infographics;
Podcast episodes; and
Current events related to your company.
Releasing content is also great for sharing value with your audience by utilizing your skills! This may look like hosting online courses, webinars, or workshops. You can also share content that has been created by other companies as well to further the development of those relationships.
There are tools that can automate posts you schedule ahead of time, such as Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social. Automation helps to ease the difficulties of managing multiple social media accounts. Additionally, these tools can also generate analytics that provide greater insight into the performance of your accounts, so you know which areas need some support and what areas your audience loves
Maintaining strong connections with your business clients through social media is all about regular, meaningful engagement. Start by choosing the right platforms where your clients are most active — LinkedIn is typically a key choice for business communications, but Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram could also be relevant, depending on your client demographics.
Next, post regular updates about your business — new products, services, case studies, or thought leadership content — that would be of interest to your clients. Personalize your interactions by responding to comments and messages promptly and participating in discussions related to your field.
Remember, social media isn't just about broadcasting your achievements; it's primarily about fostering two-way conversations and relationships.
From time to time, share posts that highlight your team and business culture to give your clients a sense of the people behind the brand. With consistency and authentic engagement, you can not only maintain but strengthen your client relationships through social media.
Growing your online presence as a business involves a complex strategy. It's a journey that requires time, consistency, and adaptability in the rapidly evolving digital world. Remember, visibility is not just an electronic storefront or digital business card; it's your brand's global identity. Improve your online presence by prioritizing meaningful engagement, maintaining a dynamic web presence, and staying open to new online opportunities. Be patient, stay dedicated, and watch your online presence elevate your business growth over time.
Lin McCraw is the founding lawyer and owner of McCraw Law Group based in McKinney, TX. He manages an efficient law firm, but he is known for his work with victims of automobile accidents. Lin has been practicing law for 20 years and prides himself on standing up for victims of wrongdoing.