If you’re a small business owner, then you know that having a strong online presence is crucial to your success. In today’s digital age, if you’re not online, you’re invisible. That’s why we’ve put together these tips to help improve your small business’ online presence and get more customers through your door!
Google your business
The first step is to Google your business and look through the first ten pages of results. See what comes up and take note of anything that needs to be improved. If you’re not happy with what you see, it’s time to take action!
Keyword research
One of the most important aspects of having a strong online presence is making sure you’re targeting the right keywords. Keyword research can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to make sure your website and blog posts are optimized for search engines.
Make sure your website is updated
Make sure your website is up-to-date and looking its best. A dated or poorly designed website will turn customers away before they even have a chance to see what you have to offer. Invest in good web design and make sure your site is easy to navigate, informative, and visually appealing.
For instance, if you’re a restaurant owner, make sure your menu is easily accessible from your homepage. If you own a retail store, highlight your latest products and promotions. And if you offer services, showcase your most popular ones front and center.
Whatever it is that makes your business unique, make sure it’s prominently featured on your website!
Logo and branding
Your logo and branding should be consistent across all of your online platforms, from your website to your social media accounts. This helps create a cohesive and professional image that customers will remember.
Make sure your logo is simple, easy to read, and relevant to your business. And make sure it’s placed in a prominent spot on your website where customers can’t miss it.
Your branding should carry through to the rest of your site as well. Use the same color scheme, font, and style on your website as you do in your logo and other marketing materials. This will help create a consistent look that customers will recognize and remember.
High-quality content
The content on your website should be well-written, informative, and relevant to your business. It should be free of errors and easy to read.
Make sure to update your content regularly, especially if you’re a service-based business. Customers will want to see that you’re keeping up with the latest trends in your industry.
If you’re not a strong writer, consider hiring a company like ours to write engaging content. This is an important investment that will pay off in the long run.
SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for small businesses. It’s what helps you show up in search engines like Google when customers are looking for businesses like yours.
There are several things you can do to improve your SEO, from using relevant keywords on your website to building backlinks. If you’re not sure where to start, consider hiring an SEO expert to help you out.
Improve your website speed
Your website’s loading speed is important for two reasons. First, it’s a ranking factor in Google, which means that if your site is slow, you’re less likely to show up in search results. Second, it’s important for customer experience. No one wants to wait around for a slow website to load, so make sure yours is as fast as possible.
There are a few things you can do to improve your website speed, including optimizing your images and using a content delivery network (CDN).
PPC
Paid advertising is a great way to get your small business in front of more customers. Google AdWords is one of the most popular PPC platforms, and it’s a great way to reach customers who are actively searching for businesses like yours.
Consider bidding on relevant keywords and phrases that potential customers are likely to use when searching for your business. You can also target specific demographics, locations, and even devices.
Social media
Having a strong social media presence is also important for small businesses. Customers today expect businesses to be active on social media, and they’re more likely to do business with those that are.
Make sure you’re active on the most relevant social media platforms for your business. Post engaging content regularly, and interact with customers when they reach out to you.
And don’t forget to link back to your website! Make it easy for customers to find you online by including links to your website on all of your social media accounts.
Partner with other local businesses
One of the best ways to improve your small business’s online presence is to partner with other local businesses. This can be done in a few different ways.
You can cross-promote each other’s businesses on your respective websites and social media accounts. You can also collaborate on blog posts, infographics, or even joint webinars or e-courses.
Not only will this help you reach a wider audience, but it will also help you build relationships with other businesses in your industry. These relationships can be valuable in the future.
Sell your products and services online
If you’re not already selling your products and services online, now is the time to start. More and more customers are shopping online, and if you’re not there, you’re missing out on potential sales.
There are a few different ways to sell online, from setting up an e-commerce store to using a marketplace like Etsy, or hiring a web designer that specializes in small business web design.
Don’t ignore your Google Business listing
Google My Business is a free tool that allows small businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. Claiming and verifying your business on Google My Business is essential to show up in local search results.
To get started, go to google.com/business and sign in with your Google account or create one if you don’t have one already. Then, follow the instructions to claim your business listing. Once your business is verified, you can start managing your online information, such as your hours of operation, contact information, and photos.
Make sure to keep your Google Business listing up-to-date and accurate, as this is one of the first places potential customers will look when they’re searching for your business online.
Respond to reviews
Another important way to manage your small business’s online presence is by responding to reviews, both positive and negative. This shows potential customers that you’re active online and that you care about what people are saying about your business.
To get started, claim your business on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Then, make it a habit to regularly check for new reviews and respond to them promptly.
Review response examples:
Positive
Thank you so much for your positive review of our restaurant! We’re glad you enjoyed your meal and we hope to see you again soon!
Negative
We’re sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy your experience at our store. We strive to provide the best possible service to all of our customers and we’ll do better next time. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
By responding to reviews, you can turn a negative experience into a positive one and show potential customers that you’re committed to providing excellent service.
Create a blog
One of the best ways to improve your small business’s online presence is to create a blog. A blog is a great platform to share your company’s story, connect with potential customers, and build relationships with other businesses in your industry.
Want more info? Check out our post on Why Blogging is Critical for Businesses in Today’s Climate.
Look at your competition
One of the best ways to assess your small business’s online presence is to look at your competition. See what they’re doing well and where they could improve. Then, use this information to improve your online presence.
Show pictures of your people and your space
People like to do business with businesses they can connect with on a personal level. So show them who you are! Post pictures of your team, your office or store, and even yourself on your website and social media channels. This will help potential customers get to know you and your business and feel more comfortable doing business with you.
Bonus tip: Take advantage of user-generated content by featuring photos and videos that your customers have posted about your business. This is a great way to show off your happy customers and give potential customers a real-life look at what it’s like to do business with you.
Learn to love new technology
The world of small business is always changing, and new technologies are constantly being developed that can help small businesses grow and succeed. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and learn to love new technology. This doesn’t mean you have to adopt every new tool that comes out, but it’s important to at least be aware of what’s out there and how it can help your business.
One of the latest trends in small businesses is the use of chatbots. Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation, and they can be used to answer customer questions, provide support, and even make sales. If you’re not already using chatbots, now is the time to start.
Another new technology that small businesses should be aware of is Augmented Reality (AR). AR is a way to superimpose computer-generated images on the real world, and it’s being used more and more in marketing and advertising. If you’re not using AR yet, you should start exploring how it can be used to promote your business.
These are just a few of the latest trends and technologies that small businesses should be aware of. To stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to keep up with the latest news and developments in the world of small business.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
And finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with your small business’s online presence. Try new things, see what works, and adjust your strategy as needed. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and always be learning.
In conclusion
These are just a few tips to help improve your small business’s online presence. By following these tips, you can make sure your small business is visible and accessible to potential customers.
If you’re looking to take your online presence up a notch, we’d be happy to help. At Graticle, we can create a custom SEO or marketing plan tailored specifically for your small business. We’ll help you get more customers through your door by improving your website’s ranking in search engines, driving traffic to your site, and creating engaging content that attracts attention. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help improve your bottom line. Call (360) 450-3711
