With Americans’ increased reliance on technology, businesses want to ensure that they are properly portrayed online. Here are four ways to improve your online image.
WEBSITE
To have a successful business, you want your site’s overall look and functionality to speak to what your business does. When it comes to a website, simplicity and ease of use are key. Even if you aren’t a web designer, there are many resources and template websites available that allow for easy customization.
Shopify, for example, gives you the ability to create and run your own online store without the hassle of developing your own website design from scratch. Choose from 100+ professionally-designed templates – or create your own. Also, with mobile-commerce growing, a mobile version of your site is a must.
MAPS
Picture this: Your friend, Amanda, texts you to meet her at Juan’s at noon for lunch. You’ve seen Juan’s before but can’t quite remember where it is, so what do you do? Google it. You find the location through
Google maps and are able to meet Amanda right on time. How many times does this happen to you? Well, I can speak with certainty, that I use Google maps on a daily basis.
Google offers a free and valuable service that allows businesses to list details such as hours of operation, photos, and business description through Google Places. Since the majority of consumers use an online search – one of the most popular being Google – having this information available is key. In addition to Google Maps, sites like yelp and urbanspoon allow for both business owners to control certain content (particular services, hours of operation, menus, price range, etc.) through business owner accounts.
SOCIAL MEDIA
With more than 800 million registered Facebook users and more than 200 million Twitter accounts, it’s fairly clear that social media has the potential to impact your business…if you use it properly. It can be a bit overwhelming, so check out some suggestions from Inc.com on the top 30 tips for using social media in your business. The #1 tip is offering behind-the-scenes information on your business – such as the release date of a new product. For the other 29, see their social media tip guide.
TARGETED ADVERTISING
Ok, so you’ve already fixed your business’ website to make it more appealing, but you still aren’t receiving the traffic. Why? The answer could be in the advertising.
The ability to target your advertising to the appropriate audience is ever improving with sites like Facebook Ads and ReTargeter. Facebook Ads allow you to choose your audience by targeting highly specific details about the audience: age group, relationship status, gender, location, education, etc. Conversely, ReTargeter allows you to target users based on their interest in your specific brand/site. Once a user visits your website, the user is “tagged” with a cookie on his/her computer, and your specific ads appear when the user veers away from your site. This method helps to reinforce the brand and drive the interested individuals back to your website.
Content contributed by Meredith Soniat, Metro New Orleans Sourcelink, a proud affiliate of U.S. SourceLink, America’s largest resource network for entrepreneurs.