Small businesses nowadays don’t have to put up a storefront to be able to transact business with their customers. Some only rely on social media and online marketing to advertise their brand, products and services, obtain customers, and conduct transactions. Not only is promoting one’s business and products online easier, it is also the cheapest way to attract customers and get the attention potential ones.
In fact setting up a website is as easy as doing a domain name search (which is free), purchasing the domain (there are always discount promos so the expense can be as little as $10), and then design (which can also be free if you will be using website builders).
But assuming you already have a website, we will start exploring how you can boost your online presence through it and other web pages. If you feel that online marketing might be a bit daunting, here are some tips that you can use to boost your business.
Facebook and other social media platforms
It’s uncommon to find a customer without a Facebook account. It is an effective way to advertise, whether you pay for the ads or not. Treat your Facebook as if it’s a small website and provide customers all your details such as your contact details, location and address, hours of operation, and most importantly, information and pictures of the products and services you offer. Facebook can also be your primary connection to customers and enquirers since you are always only a message away.
If Facebook isn’t your thing, Instagram also has a growing number of shops that rely on the platform for transactions. On Instagram, you can showcase your products and services, and like Facebook, you can stay connected to your customers through the messaging feature, or provide details on how to contact you somewhere else such as an email, or a mobile number.
Content marketing
It might seem complicated, but it only means you’ll be creating material for your website or social media page. Albums of images for Facebook, artsy photos for Instagram, videos of demonstrations that may or may not be marketing your services and products explicitly, or articles that may be relevant to your industry. It is in these posts that you will engage and interact with your customers, creating trust between you and them.
Online Shopping
As was said earlier, you don’t have to have a storefront to sell anything, whether it’s products or services. Most people now would prefer to shop online, in the comfort of their home, rather than go out and drive aimlessly for thirty minutes wondering where they’ll find the perfect gift for a loved one.
Reach out and network
Twitter is a great place to reach out and create a network. Follow people to get noticed, retweet mentions and reply to tags. Creating hashtags about your brand or your product can be a great way to keep in touch with your customer base. When you start getting recognized, you can invite your followers to shop at your storefront if you have one, or even offer discounts and complimentary services and products.
Reviews
People are going to want to review your service or products. You can create a review field on your website or encourage them to go to Facebook since it already has a built-in review tab. While happy clients are more than willing to leave a review, unsatisfied customers will also likely leave a review. You should never delete these negative reviews. Reach out to these unsatisfied customers and ask them why they think you deserve negative feedback, and how they think you can improve your services and products.
With these proven strategies, small businesses can have a successful online presence. Remember that the content you post and communication with customers matter.