With more and more people plugged in these days, businesses are expected to have some form of online presence. Whether it’s an eCommerce site, a social media page, or a blog, building an online presence for your brand will bring more than just financial success. Even if your business mainly exists offline, having an online presence opens the door to potential customers.

Below, we’ve compiled a series of useful tips for those looking to grow their brand’s presence on the Internet.

 

1. Create a website.

 

The first and most obvious step to take when building your online presence is making a website. Making a website is easier than ever nowadays. All you need is a domain name, a reliable web hosting plan, and an installation of WordPress. Pick a theme, create a few pages, add some website content, and presto—your business now has a website! But it doesn’t stop there. You should always be looking to improve your website and provide the best user experience for your customers.

 

2. Make sure your site is mobile friendly.

 

As we continue to see an upward trend of mobile users, it is becoming increasingly important for your website to work on phones. If it doesn’t already, your site should have a mobile version that works flawlessly. If you can check off these boxes, your site is in good shape:

  • It’s easy to navigate
  • Its load speed for each page is no longer than 3 seconds
  • No images or links are broken
  • Your selling point is clear

Customers who find the mobile version of your site difficult or frustrating to use will not hesitate to go to your competitors and seek out their services instead. Once your mobile site is up and running, make sure it’s concise and to the point. Any frequently asked questions or major selling points should be easily accessible from the start.

 

3. Make sure you’re accessible.

 

When customers are looking for a service or product, they’re most likely also looking for a company that can communicate when a problem arises. Be present on as many social media platforms as you can handle, and keep your contact information somewhere that is easily accessible on your website. Although it’s not always needed, having 24/7 support can also make customers feel like you care.

 

4. Use social media.

 

Social media is more than just a place for customers to connect with you. It’s a way to grow your community, build brand awareness, listen to conversations current and potential customers are having, and showcase your newest products and services. Social media is full of untapped inspiration and insights. It’s also a place to build a solid and loyal following if you treat your followers right.

 

5. Find inspiration online.

 

If you’re a small business owner, chances are someone has already walked the path you’re on. Use this opportunity to learn what other leaders in the industry are up to, and find a way to implement variations that are unique to your brand. As you continue to take in all these new ideas, go to the drawing board and see what your team can come up with.

 

6. Make a calendar.

 

When you’re pushing new services or planning events, make a schedule. It will help you stay on track and maximize the time you spend working on projects. Whenever you find yourself behind schedule, sit down with your team and evaluate your goals for the month. The same can be said when you’re ahead of schedule.

 

7. Understand your demographic.

 

One of the biggest mistakes people make when increasing their online presence is throwing content at the wall and seeing what sticks. Understanding who you’re targeting and what they want is crucial. It gives you information on how they consume your product, and how often they do so. It also gives you insight into how they behave on social media platforms. For example, if you’re targeting millennials, you will often find most of them use some form of social media. On the contrary, you might experience an older demographic responds better to online ads.

While you will find all of the above tips useful, there’s an overarching theme behind all of them: building your online presence is not a one-and-done deal. It’s something you have to build upon. Your online brand should grow as your business grows, and always reflect your company’s goals and values. It’s a process that you can continue to improve on, no matter the size of your business.

What are some ways you grow your brand’s online presence?