In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business. Even if you acquire customers through ‘offline’ means such as networking and word-of mouth, people will still go online to check out your business and find out more.
Here are five quick checks to help you get started.
- Google Business Profile – Are you easy to find? Is it up to date?
Your Google Business Profile is often the first point of contact for potential customers.
- Make sure your business is claimed and verified on Google.
- Check that your business name, address, phone number, and hours of operation are accurate.
- Don’t rely on auto-generated photos from Street View or photos taken by people at your location. Regularly upload high-quality photos yourself.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and respond to all reviews professionally.
- Social Media – Is your page helping or hurting?
Social media can be a powerful tool for connecting with your audience but there are a few things to be aware of.
- Ensure all your social media profiles are fully completed with accurate information.
- Post regularly with content that is relevant and engaging to your audience. Don’t just post all sales promos or any other single type of content. Mix things up and keep it interesting.
- Nothing puts doubt in a potential customer’s mind more than coming across your page and seeing it has been neglected for months (or years!). If you have a page, make sure there is regular activity.
- Respond to comments and messages promptly.
- Website & Online Booking – Is it mobile-friendly? Is it easy to navigate?
A website that looks good and is easy to navigate on both desktop and mobile is essential in today’s world.
- Ensure your website is responsive and looks good on all devices.
- Simplify navigation so users can easily find what they need.
- Optimise images and other elements to ensure fast loading times.
- If you offer online booking, make sure the process is straightforward and user-friendly.
- Consistency – Do all platforms convey the same message?
Consistency is key to building a strong brand.
- Use the same logos, colour schemes, and messaging across all platforms.
- Ensure that your business information is consistent across your website, social media, and other online listings.
- Develop a content strategy that aligns with your brand’s goals and values.
Bonus tip 1: If possible, try to obtain the same handle or profile URL across all accounts e.g. @abc123 on Instagram and /abc123 on LinkedIn.
Bonus tip 2: As a business owner, remember that your personal brand and business brand are intertwined. Like it or not, what you post on your personal profile does impact how people view your business. You can’t pretend to be a ‘nice guy’ on your business page and go around being hurtful and offensive on your personal profile.
- Security – Are you and your customers protected from scammers and hackers?
Security is paramount for protecting your business and customers.
- Use HTTPS to secure your website and protect customer data.
- Implement strong password policies for all your accounts.
- Keep your website and software up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Inform your customers about common scams and how to protect themselves. Especially scams that are specific to your industry.
- Being active with security helps customers feel confident they are safe sharing information with you.
By checking in on these five areas, you can ensure that your online presence is helping you attract more customers and grow your business. If you find that there are gaps in what you are doing and you need help, the team at Regional Business HQ are here to assist. Email info@businesshq.org.au or call 1300 249 482.
