Even if you have a brick and mortar storefront for your business, you still need to spend a lot of your efforts growing your business online. Many Americans start their search for goods and services on Google, and you don’t want to risk losing business because you haven’t focused any efforts on that medium. Even if you have a solid online platform, you can still do more to grow your business online.
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Stay Active on Social Media
Image via Flickr by vernieman
Many small business owners have the best intentions when they start social media accounts only to become lackadaisical about posting and utilizing those accounts. Take advantage of all social media available and relevant to your consumers, and keep those accounts active. If you aren’t able to keep up with your social media, consider outsourcing that part of your marketing to make sure you are making the most out of those opportunities.
Revamp Your Site
While your branding is important, if your website looks dated then it may turn consumers away. Take advantage of some of the latest trends in website design such as scrolling, flat sites, augmented reality, or split screen websites. While you still want your brand to be recognized, you can make your site more attractive and modern without sacrificing your brand image.
Make It Easy
The reason people enjoy shopping online is because it’s simple, easy, and it’s convenient. Make sure every aspect of your business stays within those parameters. Make sure your website loads quickly and is easy to navigate. Don’t lose customers with a difficult payment process. Consider using a third-party such as BillPro so that all your payments are easy, safe, and secure. Your customer should never get tripped up by anything on your website and during the buying process.
Go Mobile
Your website either needs to be responsive or you need to have a separate mobile site. A lot of people surf the internet and shop on their smartphone or tablet, and your site needs to fit whatever screen that person is on. You may also want to consider creating an app if it would be relevant to your business to attract even more customers through their mobile device.
Start a Blog
If you already have a blog, improve your content and include a call to action at the end of every post. If you don’t have a blog, it’s time to start one. Sometimes consumers just start out by researching whatever it is they may want to buy. If you give free information involving your product or service then that person may be enticed to buy from you since they are already in the right place.
Whether your business is solely online, or you only use your website to direct people to your physical store, your online marketing is vital to promoting a successful business. Take advantage of every opportunity you have online to make your business stand out, and make sure customers are able to find you when they start their online search.
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