As Jeff Bezos says, “It’s hard to find things that won’t sell online” and it’s true!
Yes, the pandemic made a huge impact on how people spend, but they still do go online to shop for almost anything under the sun!
We have put together a few basics for you to simplify your brand’s journey online. Here’s what you do:
Step 1: Make Your Business Available on Google.
The first step to taking your business online is to be available on all search engine platforms. As much as you would like to explore all routes to market, for the online route your first stop is a search engine. There are many search engines out there such as Google, Bing, Baidu. But Google is the most dominant player. It is the most visited website in the world and even one of the most searched terms on the second-best search engine BING! Simply sign-up on Google and follow the guidelines on the Google Business page. This will allow you to add your business to Google Maps, Search, and other Google services.
Step 2: Create a Website.
Let’s be honest, every ship no matter how big or small needs an anchor. Your website is essentially an anchor to all your sales and marketing efforts. A website is a great way to frame your narrative rather than relying on someone else to tell people about your business. For many small businesses having a website might feel like a luxury or something, they can do without initially. However, that’s far from the truth. You could miss out on a huge percentage of customers by not having an online presence. Platforms like WordPress, Wix, GoDaddy and many others give thousands of templates to choose from to create a stunning website in a matter of minutes.
So, don’t skip this step. Your website is your space to communicate with your customers. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube that can guide you to build a good website.
Step 3: Pick the right Social Media Platforms
There are plenty of Social Media platforms out there and all are built differently to cater to a particular set of users. These platforms are essential and effective tools for your marketing strategy. Having said that, there is no one must-have platform for any business. In some cases, LinkedIn might deliver the best return, especially if you are a B2B company, while Instagram or Facebook will give better results for a B2C business.
You need to study your customer and where you can reach them best before investing on any social media platform. Ideally, having a presence on 2-3 platforms is sufficient and sustainable. Consistency is crucial for a successful social media presence. Many businesses have multiple social media platforms but are rarely active on all of them. This could have a negative impact. So, start small, pick 2 or 3 platforms most relevant to your business, stay active and build your customer base through your online presence.
Step 4: Stay Active!
Your potential client will check your business many times before purchasing from you. You must stay active on your website and social media platforms to keep a check on how your existing clients feel about you and your products. It is essential to interact with clients to maintain a good reputation. Collect good reviews and testimonials and address customer grievances regularly. This will help you sell more and have a good base of loyal customers.
Step 5: Share Your Knowledge and Experience
“Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied” – Robert Boyce
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you have spent a great deal of time understanding your market, products, and customers. Your knowledge taps into the experience and context of somebody who’s understood and used information gathered over time. Your knowledge shared in form of blogs, writing on forums or FAQs can help you build rapport with your customers. The act of sharing knowledge has the power to build a sense of community for your brand.
So go out there, and share!
Many other things go into creating a successful business online. Every business has specific needs and that requires customized solutions. We have tried to explain a few basics here and would be delighted to guide you in the right direction based on your requirements. So, if you are contemplating how to go about taking your business online, feel free to write to us. And let’s get started!