If you are currently running your own business, you will know that a huge portion of your time is spent building and maintaining an online brand. Before the internet, companies had to communicate with their audience and with each other in much less efficient ways. For example, they would need to rely on word of mouth, or they would need to pay for expensive print advertisement. Why these two things do still exist in modern-day business management and marketing, they play second fiddle to online marketing. Having a strong online brand has never been as important as it now is today. It is the easiest and fastest way to communicate with your customers and done right, it tends to work, too. Here are some of the ways in which you can get the very best out of your business by presenting yourself online.
Build a website that shows you off at your best
Having a professional website isn’t just about using fancy graphics and bombarding your customer with information. In fact, it is much better to strip things back and keep it simple. Most people tend to skim-read web pages. So if your potential customer cannot pick out the information they want within the first minute or so of being on your site, they will probably look elsewhere. As a business owner, this is the last thing you want, so it’s up to you to grab their attention. Try and sum up all your aims and services in a brief quote on your homepage. Then, make sure the website is functional enough to successfully direct your client to where they want to go. The customer should also be easily directed to contact information, as by speaking to you directly you will be more likely to make a sale with them. Above all else, make the website attractive and easy to navigate.
Use images to show that you are for real
There’s something about a website that features only text that looks a little… well, unverified. Customers are wary about putting their faith in companies that they don’t know much about. So, consider softening your brand by having some company photography done. If you are a corporate brand, this can be very useful. Plus, it gives you an edge over other companies who only use stock imagery. Unfortunately, having professional photography done is not always an option for very small companies. This is why, if you are a startup or running a small team, you could consider taking Photography Courses. It provides you with a great skill for both business and leisure, and you could see your company grow as a result.
Don’t abandon social media
Unless you’ve been living with your head under a rock for the past ten years, you will know of a phenomenon known as social media. It is a great way to communicate with customers and also a great platform for you to showcase your business on. However, it needs to be used wisely. Don’t even think of going near multiple social media channels if you don’t have the staff available to keep updating them. The only thing worse than not having any social media is having social media that’s not been updated for months. At first, try starting out with just one or two of the main platforms: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Providing you experience success, you could move on to some of the others too. But don’t run before you can walk.