How to create a digital presence
In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. In fact, according to recent surveys, 80% of internet users research a company online before making a purchase, and nearly 90% of consumers use the internet to find a local business.
What does it mean to have a "digital presence"? Simply put, it's the sum total of all the ways your business can be found and interacted with online. This includes your website, social media profiles, online reviews, and mentions on other websites.
Having a professional website and active social media profiles can make your business reach a wider audience and grow your customer base. It also allows for more efficient and effective communication with customers, as well as the ability to gather valuable data and insights about your prospective customers.
But where do you start in creating a digital presence for your business? Here are some key steps to take:
Build a professional website
Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers, so it's important that it looks professional and is easy to navigate. Make sure to include important information such as your business hours, contact details, and a clear call to action. You can hire professionals to create your website or you can even DIY your own through some good affordable options, including: Squarespace, Wix, Wordpress, and Shopify to name a few.
Establish a presence on social media
Choose the social media platforms that are most relevant to your business and audience. Finding which social media platforms are most relevant to your target market and where you should focus your attention can be challenging, however some notables are; Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube. Regardless, of what social media platforms you start with, make sure you are consistent in your branding, post engaging content, and regularly interact with your communities.
Optimize for search engines
Ensure that your website is optimized for search engines through good search engine optimization (SEO) by including relevant keywords, meta tags, and alt tags. This will make it easier for potential customers to find your business when searching for related products or services. SEO takes time but it is ultimately worth the effort as it can drive a lot of your organic search traffic in the future.
Gather customer reviews
Encourage customers to leave reviews on your website, social media profiles, and review sites such as Google and Yelp. Positive reviews can greatly influence a potential customer's decision to choose your business over a competitor's. According to Statista, in 2021 nearly 70 percent of online shoppers typically read between one and six customer reviews before making a purchasing decision.
Analyze and adjust
Use web analytics tools to track the performance of your website and social media profiles. Analyze this data to identify areas that need improvement, and make adjustments accordingly. This doesn’t have to be overly complicated or rigorous. Just having a sense of where traffic is coming from, what users are engaging with, and how it’s impacting conversation is what you should be most interested in. Using Google Analytics is a great place to start.
Creating a digital presence may seem daunting, but it's an essential step in growing and promoting your business. By following the key steps above, you can establish credibility, reach a wider audience, and gather valuable insights about your customers.
Don’t have time, skill, or just need a little help on your digital presence? Let’s talk!
