In the 21st century, the line between what a particular company does and they way it lets prospective customers know what it does is becoming increasingly thinner. Whether you’re a veterinarian looking expand on social media or a small bakery just trying to spread the word about your stellar Star Wars specialty cupcakes, you’re really just a collection of ones and zeroes on the web. To prove it, let’s do a small experiment.
Does a vet need a website to help its name go farther? Of course. Does a small bakery need a website to expand its customer? You betcha. Thus, we can conclude that web marketing is the single most important aspect modern small businesses are facing today.
So, how does a company expand its digital presence, exactly? The process can get a bit complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. And as always, when it comes to website marketing tips, it’s all about simply taking the first step.
1. Take time to go social.
Out of all the website marketing tips you can ponder, give this one the most thought. After all, 54% of small business owners admit to needing a little outside help in bolstering their social media personas, but where do they begin? Oddly enough, it’s not feasible to simply have a Twitter account anymore — now, you actually have to use it. If you’re a vet, tweet pet facts and cute puppy photos. If you’re a bakery, post pics of your latest culinary creations. It’s all about making a splash, and the best way to do that is through charming engaging content.
2. Always link back to your website.
Just because you’re focused on Twitter and Facebook doesn’t mean you can flake out on your own site’s upkeep. If you don’t know how to design a professional website, get some outside help from a marketing company. Then, once it’s up and running, keep it current. Your social media profiles should complement your main webpage, not the other way around. Build a strong brand and focus on your visual aspects. Provide basic contact info in an easy-to-find location on your site. All in all, take time to make it nice. First impressions are everything on the web.
3. Engage your users and they’ll engage you back.
Studies show that nearly a quarter of all web users who’ve read online reviews have used the information in those reviews to influence their purchasing decisions. In other words, you can market all you want, but if you treat your customers poorly, your word-of-mouth reputation won’t be as glowing as you need it to be. Word-of-mouth isn’t dead — it’s just been facilitated by the web. That means better customer service and outstanding products and services can lead to your business being repaid back in dividends.
Now that you know the top three website marketing tips, get out there and try your hand at putting them into practice. The web and an entirely untapped customer base await — so what are you waiting for? See this link for more references.
