Google tells us that 97% of consumers use the web to search for local business.  What if they cannot find you?  No matter what size your business is you need a strong online presence.  Being online will build brand awareness and can help formulate sales leads.  You will be attracting new customers who might not have otherwise found you.

So what are the essentials?  You don’t need everything at once but here are the top 3 areas you should be looking at.

Website

This is your online brochure and tells people all about you and your product or service.  The most important elements are to say what you do, where you are and how they can contact you.  It seems obvious to include all these elements but you would be surprised how often they are forgotten.  It is vital that the site looks as good on mobile as it does on desktop as mobile use to access online is growing every day.  It is also good to see sites being updated with news and events regularly that is why adding new content regularly is key.

SEO (search engine optimisation)

‘If you build it they will come’ – but not if they can’t find you!  Your website needs to be rank in organic search which means that when your product is ‘googled’ then your site turns up as an option.  It’s vital to use the correct methods to improve your chances of being discovered.  You want your website to attract new visitors who may turn into potential new customers.

Social Media

Using social media to build customer loyalty is a great way of encouraging new sales.  Not only will you get existing customers coming back to you, when they ‘like’ or ‘share’ your content then their friends and family are now being encouraged to check you out.  It is important to pick the channels that are relevant to your product.  Whichever ones you pick make sure that you do them well and are consistent in your activity.  Nothing looks as bad as 20 posts in a week and then nothing for six months.  Be engaging and informative to encourage others to share your expertise or ideas.