Mobile
As of 2024, there is virtually no way to be completely offline as an individual without serious effort. That goes double if you're a business, and there's no major business out there without thousands invested in their online profile. A mistake that many small business owners make is neglecting their online presence. Here's the why you should build an online presence and how you can get started.
What's The Value?
The fact is, you make your business many times more visible just by virtue of being online at all. The generation of shoppers currently in their 20s and 30s will generally start any search for a product by looking online, and tend to favor anything with an online element.
Source: Unsplash
You can take a case for this from casinos, who have one of the biggest online businesses out there. They catered to that same internet-friendly age group by investing in their online aspects, and now playing virtual slots or blackjack games online is just as popular as the original game. Putting time and effort into going online extended their customer base many times over, and not applying any effort just means that you're limiting your business from the start.
Where To Start
It should be made clear from the start that building an online presence does not mean building a whole virtual shop or offering online services. Simply having your business listed online with a few key details will be beneficial to you and your customers. Before even considering a website, get your business properly registered with Google Business with contact details and opening hours. That alone can make a big difference if kept updated properly.
If you do then want to set up a website, your Google Business account can serve as a jumping-off point. A basic website can take that information and then expand on it with some simple added features. If nothing else, a website should show off what your business can offer, so images and a shop background can help, but having things like a contact form or a custom Google map can add a lot.
Want To Go Further?
There are two ways to enhance your online presence beyond your basic details. The first is to expand to a full online shop with a system like Shopify, although this depends on the size of the business and whether an online shop even fits your business.
Source: Unsplash
The more universal option is getting onto social media. This can be tricky, but it isn't necessary to go fully into it at first. Working with places like local Facebook groups can do wonders, especially those targeted at looking for services. Maintaining a genuine and friendly persona in these groups can give you a reputation boost in the area.
The main takeaway from this is that a little bit of effort in the online world can go a long way, even for a small business. Take your time and build up slowly, and don't think you need to compete with the big names right away!
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