If you are running a traditional business with a physical store, complementing it with an online presence will give your business so m...
If you are running a traditional business with a physical store, complementing it with an online presence will give your business so many advantages. The world wide web roles and applications to business cannot be overstated.
Many businesses, even those small ones, are taking advantage of this modern advancement. When your business can be found online, more potential buyers can reach you. But just making an online presence is not enough, you have to fully realize, understand its roles and applications to grow your business and make operations more efficient.
So here are 10 essential tips to keep in mind when taking your business online.
Create a Blog/Website
One of the most important ways to advertise your business is posting high-quality content, primarily about your products. Just try to establish yourself as an expert rather than being too sales in your blogs. Although this method may not pay off immediately, see it as a long-term cost-efficient investment.
If your blog has a substance you will attract traffic and create authority. And that will lead to more publicity that could generate more sales.
Consider Your Business Goals and Budget
The first thing you have to do as an entrepreneur who wants to take your business online is to establish your business goals and clarify your objectives. Goals promote planning to determine how goals will be achieved. But before you come up with a strategic plan, you must first consider your budget. Everything must start with your budget. Considering your budget will enable you to see what is feasible and what goals are within your reach.
Must Read: How To Refresh Your Business in 1,2, and 3
Offer Free Products and Services
It is a common knowledge, studies supported this too, that people are more being enticed with the notion of “freebies.” So to get more traffic, offering something for free can really help. Even if it is not something that is too expensive will do. Maybe a free sample of your products or a free short consultation.
Make sure that after you have given them anything for free, get their contact details so you can get in touch with them. You have opened an opportunity to sell other products to the customer. When you give something for free, they will feel that they owe you something making the probability of landing with increased sales for your business.
Develop Customer Relationship
Connecting with your customers can help your business gain their loyalty. One thing to do that using online platforms is through email marketing. You can look for ways on how to increase e-mail subscription. For example, you can reward free items to someone by running a contest on Facebook, but ask them to subscribe first. You can even send promos and discounts through email so they will endorse the subscription to other people.
Generate Useful Video Tutorials on Youtube
Like constructing a blog, the key in making a Youtube channel is to have a content that is actually useful, on trend, relevant. As much as possible avoid showing people things that they already know. Do not focus on the number of followers just yet because it will take time before viewers flood in. Just concentrate on giving high-quality videos that you think your target customers will benefit from. Lastly, do not forget to post a link back to your website so your viewers will be directed to the products you sell or services you render.
Use Press Releases
Even though this method will not get you instant media coverage, it is still worth a try. If you have created a well-written press release, it will let you announce important company news or events that you can actively use to pursue media outlets with the appropriate PR channels.
Leverage Social Media
Nowadays, it is hard to find people who do not have a Social Media, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media. Being said so, if you put advertisements of your business in these platforms, you can easily reach and engage with a lot of potential customers. Add the fact that signing up is free.
If you have a product that requires visual lure, Instagram might be the perfect social media outlet for you. If you want to interact with a larger population, then Facebook is the perfect fit.
Optimize your Website for SEO
To attract more customers, the first few minutes looking at your website is critical. So to have a higher ranking in the search engines, you need to get high traffic of viewers. If your website is slow and ugly, the tendency is no one will visit it. Therefore, make sure you optimize your site. Pay attention to its speed, the quality of the content, mobile usability, link profile, quoting of sources, and much more. Again, this will not bear its fruits instantly, so do not get discouraged when things in the short period don't have massive results.
Have a Webinar
Unlike YouTube videos, webinars are conducted live. Make your content relevant to your target market so they will be interested. Interacting through Webinars can help you know more leads or potential customers.
Construct a Branded Email Signature
You can passively market your business online through branded email signature. Put links to your website and social media and any potential accolades on your email signature. This way, you are announcing your business to people you have contact with on an everyday basis. You can even drop the tagline of your business and its mission as well.
Author Bio:
Abby Whitmer is an independent e-commerce business owner from California. She is also a finance advocate at www.myloansolution.co.nz and blogs to different sites about money management and tips about online business.
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