You have many options for building your digital presence, including local listings, websites, mobile apps , and social media. If you handle these basics correctly, you can create a world of differences.
The first ways to create your online presence
These days, it’s easy for anyone to build a home online. But while a website may be the first thing that comes to mind, you don’t have to start there. For example, suppose you are a hairdresser. The first step in finding your customers online and finding them online may be to list your stores in local online guides such as Google My Business . Then, when someone searches for hairdressers in your area on Google, you will appear in the results and no website is required! Then, to show potential customers more about your business and what you can do (for example, photos or videos of some happy customers with great hairstyles you have created) Facebook You can also open the page.
More professional ways to create your digital presence
There are many things you can do without a website, but when you reach a certain point, you may want to build a website where your customers can find everything they need online. The most important thing to consider when you start planning your site is what you want people to do there. For example, do you want them to call you? If so, place your number on each page. Maybe you want them to find your physical store? Then, add a map and vehicle directions. Maybe you want them to make an online appointment? This is a feature you can install. Or, finally, you can ask them to buy products from you online by ordering or making a payment. This is called e-commerce and there are many options for it.
Online homes are no longer just websites. Today, many businesses could save customers on smartphones or tablets mobile applications s customers. Applications open all kinds of digital doors – for example, you can create loyalty programs or automatically send reminders about upcoming appointments.
To be clear: If you want people to find you on the Internet , you need to provide your online places on the Internet . These can be a list in a local business guide , availability on social media sites, a simple website or e-commerce, a mobile app, or all of the above. No matter what you choose, this is a place where people will find you, recognize you and hopefully be your customers.