Why do I need an online presence?
Consumers have become accustomed to finding what they want online, so having an online presence for your business is a great way to engage with your current and potential customers. It's an opportunity to share who you are and how your offer differentiates you from the competition.
Your brand is the foundation that gives your work a voice, an identity and value. It also generates awareness among potential customers. To be successful, your brand needs to be consistent. Use the same logo, banner and profile images, along with your brand colors and personality.
If you don’t know where to start, check out this beginner's guide to building your brand.
There are lots of things you can do to build a good online presence; here are a few to get you started.
Publish a website
Build a website that's visually appealing, easy to use, and most importantly, rich in valuable content. Your website home page should share the most important things you want visitors to know to encourage them to do business with you. Who are you? What do you do or sell? Why should I trust you? How do I contact you? Make sure to include a call to action (CTA) with the one thing you want your visitors to do before they leave your site (sign up, buy this, shop now, etc.). Make sure to include the primary way you want customers to contact you and include a few photos of your products or a list of your services.
There are many easy-to-use tools to help you build your website, including GoDaddy Website Builder. For guidance on setting up your visual brand, personalizing your home page and even connecting your new site to your social media accounts, read get online with Websites + Marketing.
Actively engage on social media
Social media is a great way to boost your online presence and engage with consumers outside of your website. Not all social media platforms may be effective for your brand, so establish a social media strategy that benefits your business by determining which platforms your audience uses. Look at the data to see where you're getting the most traction and then concentrate on that platform.
Once you determine which social platforms you want to be on, use these channels to interact with customers and keep them updated on your business. Use social media to respond to positive and negative reviews, share user-generated content or just inspire your customers with daily or weekly content.
Most importantly, be authentic. If your only engagement is to sell your services or products, you won’t have many followers. Be social on social media. Have fun and talk to the people who share your passion, and who will ultimately buy what you're selling, without sounding like a commercial.