No matter what the nature of your business may be, having an optimized web presence is non-negotiable. Our modern reliance on digital sources for both entertainment and information makes it necessary for your business to make its mark online in a unique, appealing way. Since the Internet is pretty much limitless, the competition for visibility online is fierce. The good news is that improving the digital presence of your business is all about understanding what works – and making it work for you. That’s why we’ve compiled a short-list effective (and low-maintenance!) steps you can take to make the most of your business’s digital footprint. Read on to learn more!

1. Encourage online reviews

Customer reviews are an incredible tool to solidify the reputation of your business. Why? Because reviews allow prospective customers to see the results of investing in your goods or services without having to assume the risk of doing so. What’s more, reviews are highly sought-after: research indicates that up to 95% of consumers turn to online reviews before making a purchase. 

What you can do: Encourage your best clients to leave honest reviews of their experience with your business on popular platforms, like Google or Yelp. It’s important to prioritize ethics when soliciting reviews: though it’s OK to offer discounts or other perks in exchange for reviews, it’s crucial that you emphasize the importance of honesty.

2. Get Google-able

Improving your digital presence is something you should take pretty literally by getting your business on Google Maps. Clients don’t want to type out your address on Google or iMaps. They want to search your business by name and find its location quickly and efficiently. In an age where convenience is key and competition is fierce, anything you can do to make your business easy to find is a massive plus. 

What you can do: Getting your business on Maps is pretty easy, and Google has easy-to-follow instructions available to get you started. 

3. Web design with mobile in mind

Approximately half of all website traffic happens on mobile devices. This means that not having a website that is optimized for mobile could potentially drive away half of your prospective customers. When completing or overseeing web design, keep in mind the importance of having a website that displays beautifully on a variety of screen sizes. 

What you can do: Most website hosting platforms allow you to see previews of your website on mobile. If your mobile site isn’t currently up to par, it should definitely be a priority. Luckily, there are a variety of options to help make that happen, from hiring an in-house developer to outsourcing the work to an agency. 

4. Prioritize SEO

Some experts would say that the success of your business hinges largely on its ability to be found through search engines. Though we understand that growing a business is extremely nuanced, there’s no denying that search engines can do wonders for your growth and visibility. Improving the digital presence of your business through search engines requires a focus on SEO, or search engine optimization. Though SEO is very complex, it basically involves strategically using keywords on your website and digital content. When potential customers search for these same keywords, the websites that best implement them will turn up higher on search engines. 

What you can do: SEO works best when it’s performed and analyzed by professionals, since it’s a multi-pronged effort that needs to be continuously updated and refined. However, there are plenty of resources designed to help you get started on your own. 

5. Produce valuable, share-able content

An easy (and cost-effective) way to majorly boost the digital presence of your business is to share valuable digital content, like blog posts, ebooks, and video. This not only helps to boost your SEO, but it also establishes you as an expert in your field, making customers more likely to turn to you for answers and trust your expertise. Content has the power to humanize your business, start conversations, and solidify your position as a thought leader in your industry. This is extremely valuable not only when it comes to attracting clients, but also in building long-term relationships with them.

What you can do: Quality content doesn’t necessarily require fancy equipment or expensive overhauls. It’s as simple as sharing your expertise. Think about your average customer: what are their needs and pain points? What information can you give them that will help make their lives easier? Sharing your expertise with your audience will do wonders for your credibility. 

6. Social media is a must

No matter what kind of business you run, it can and will benefit from being on social media. The power of social media lies in its ability to help your business share updates, content, and information with your audience effectively. It’s also a powerful tool in sharing your brand with new and existing customers: things like Stories and Live features enable you to connect with your audience in real time. This is extremely useful for the digital presence of your business, because it allows you to stay top-of-mind to prospective customers without having to invest lots of time or money. 

What you can do: If you haven’t already, create accounts for your business on major social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Be active on these by sharing your original posts and content and engaging directly with your audience. 

7. Use emails strategically

Email automation is another relatively easy measure to take when it comes to keeping your digital connections strong. There are plenty of resources, like Hubspot and Mailchimp, that allow you to input leads’ and customers’ emails into lists. From these lists, you can send out automated emails to offer content, promotions, event information, and newsletters to customers. Email correspondence can offer you a tremendous ROI: the key is to share valuable information or discounts with prospective customers in order to incentivize them to opening your messages. 

What you can do: Email automation platforms often have free or low-cost options to help you get started with automation. Like your content, your email correspondence doesn’t have to be fancy: it just has to be valuable. 

Improving the digital presence of your business is an extremely important way to attract (and keep!) customers, and exponential strides can be made for your web presence with just a few low-maintenance steps. To learn more about how to develop a digital strategy that works, reach out to us!