In order for a company to succeed, it has to grow over time. Otherwise, your earning potential will be significantly limited, and customers will lose interest in the products or services you offer. One way in which you can help take your business to the next level is by focusing on your online presence. Cultivating an online presence will allow you to:
- Reach a wider audience
- Gain more feedback on your products/services
- Earn more money, which you can then invest into the company
- Build a relationship with your customers
- Connect with other businesses
With that in mind, here is a quick checklist detailing the various ways in which you can grow your business online!
- Set up a website. Ensure that you pay for the domain name, as this appears more professional than using another platform to host your site. It will also help you appear more trustworthy to potential customers.
- Hire a web designer to take your site to the next level. This is a great way to help you stand out from the crowd and can help develop your brand further. Beforehand, let them know exactly what you want out of your website – in terms of color scheme, design, and aesthetic.
- Consider running a blog. This is a great way to increase web traffic to your website. Ensure that your blog produces content that is relevant to your brand, as this means those who view it may also wish to make a purchase further down the line.
- Make shopping online easier for your customers by working with a credit card processing company, such as Inovio. They can help you set up a fully-integrated payment gateway on your site that allows you to easily manage money in your small business.
- Focus on your cybersecurity – for both your business and your customers. This helps protect you from any financial losses and data breaches.
- Develop your social media presence. Set up accounts on the most popular platforms that are relevant to your business. Typically, this means you should have a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but this could vary depending upon the products you offer.
- Considering hiring a social media manager to run your accounts. They can provide your followers with a range of relevant content that they are sure to enjoy, intermingled with product advertisements.
- Feature positive product reviews on your social media and website. This means that potential customers are more likely to trust you.
- Launch a variety of advertisements across your socials. Track their success, so you know which platforms work best for your brand. You can then adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Consider paying to boost your posts; this allows you to reach more of your target audience as you can ensure that your posts reach the right people. For example, you can promote them to a particular demographic, such as a specific age group or gender.
- Use your social media accounts to network. Connect with other businesses in your local area or companies that operate within the same industry. You can then offer each other support and guidance. Additionally, you can host joint competitions on your social media. For example, you can pool a group of your products together in a hamper. For a chance of winning, entrants must follow each of your social media accounts. This will boost your following significantly.
- Remember that you can advertise your products on multiple websites in order to increase your earning potential. For example, you can sell your products on websites such as Etsy.
- Encourage customers to sign up to a mailing list, where you can provide them with information about the company and any upcoming product launches. This can help generate hype surrounding your business and boost sales.
- Ask customers to fill in surveys after shopping online. This means you can gain feedback on products and the shopping experience and improve in the future.
- Every few months, participate in online focus groups with your target audience or previous customers. This can help you generate new ideas and figure out your next step. They are particularly useful if you feel as though something is not working, but you can’t pinpoint exactly what has happened.
- Use your online platforms (social media and website) to connect with your customers. This will help you develop a stronger relationship. For example, if they comment on your social media posts, respond to them – even if it’s a simple ‘like’. Ensure your website has a contact page set up so that you can respond to any queries quickly.
