Does Your Business Have An Effective Digital Presence?
The Internet presents opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their business by giving them cost-effective access to potential clients on a global scale. The internet can allow small businesses to compete with large corporations if used effectively. Having an effective digital presence is a good way to take advantage of the internet to grow your business.
What Is An Effective Digital Presence?
It is your business’ presence online that contributes to the growth of your brand. An effective digital presence, among other things, entails that:
1. Your brand pops up when people search for related goods and services on Google.
Eg if you run a restaurant in Harare, your business should show on Google results when people search for ‘restaurants in Harare’. It goes without saying that the higher your site ranks on the results page, the better because the first 3 results get the most clicks. (There are strategies used to have your business listing on the top of the results).
2. Your social media pages engage current fans and attract prospective followers.
Effective social media presence allows you to keep your fans engaged with your business and your followers will think of your brand first when they want to buy the products and services you offer. Social media pages also allow you to run targeted advert campaigns, to publicise promotions and to give clients easy access to your business among other advantages.
3. Your website is client friendly
A client friendly website will provide all the necessary details that clients want to know about your products and services. It is also easy to navigate without many pop ups and ads. The site will also be mobile friendly (bear in mind that 60% of searches are on mobile). The site will also be search engine optimised and will be running without going down for whatever reasons
Why Is An Effective Digital Presence Important?
An ever-increasing number of people are turning to Google search when they want to buy and you want to be there when the prospective clients are searching for the goods and services you provide. Most of the searches on mobile are done with a local intent i.e they search online when they want to buy locally.
An effective digital presence will allow you to get FREE traffic form higher Google search and business listings. This will definitely give you an upper hand especially if your competitors are not as visible online. You can also encourage your customers to review your business and this is just the same with business references. A lot of customers look at company and product reviews before buying.
How Can You Check If Your Business Has An Effective Digital Presence?
There are some simple steps you can take to check if you’re your online presence is effective.
1. Google the goods and services you sell and see if your website or social page pops up and which position it is. Remember, the higher the better.
2. Take inventory of your website. IS it bringing you business? Do you track your traffic? Is your site mobile friendly? Is your site always live or do you go for a month without accessing your own site and have to be told by clients when it is down? Does it provide the relevant information that visitors will be seeking?
3. Take inventory of your social media pages. Is your fan base increasing? Are you keeping you fans engaged? How often do you post? How do your followers respond to your posts (comments, shares, likes etc)?
If you uncover gaps then you need to take remedial action right away to remain relevant and competitive.
PS: Im a Google Certified digital marketing and social media specialist. Get in touch if you want a FREE assessment of your website and/or social media pages and recommendations on how they can be improved. I can also manage your social media and and advertising campaigns (including Google and Facebook ads).
+263774746242
www.fb.com/TayConsultancy
Twitter:@taylorchiyangwa
LinkedIn: Tailone Taylor Chiyangwa
