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Building a strong online presence for your startup is a challenge but that’s why you went into business in the first place right?
Making your digital presence work for your target audience and be profitable for you is key. Here’s a few key takeaways to build a winning online presence which can boost your business and drive targeted website traffic.
The online world is based on trust. Reviews, testimonials and word of mouth are absolutely vital. You should ask your customers to provide a review and make it as easy as possible for them. Include a link to your Google Reviews link and Google My Business (GMB) Reviews link. Make it easy for them!
Ensure your contact form works well. A long form will tend to put your website’s visitors off. So will an untargeted form. Put some thought into this.
Use a lead magnet to incentivise your website visitors to provide their contact details. If you’re in the UK, ensure your website is GDPR compliance and that you’re getting this message across adequately on your website. Protect your contacts’ personal details!
Have a digital marketing strategy, an overall marketing strategy and a SEO strategy. Start with the end in mind. Know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Yes try new things but don’t blow your budget on an untargeted scattergun approach to marketing. Measure everything you do!
During COVID-19 we’re mostly having online meetings these days so make good use of the technology that’s out there when appointment settings. Use Calendly for instance, Perhaps have online chat if you think it’ll work well for you. Chat bots, etc. Make your website’s user journey great for your website’s visitors.
Use social media to engage with your target audience. Choose two or three main social media channels to focus upon. e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
Create videos – vlog. Many of your competitors won’t be doing this. You can use this as an opportunity to fill the gap in the market that your competition is afraid to because they just daren’t get on camera. Have courage and just go for it!
Have a marketing budget. You won’t grow with one. Put systems and processes in place for scaling up.
Document everything you do. So that when it comes to training people, you’ll be part way to having training documentation and other resource. Don’t keep the information just in your head!
What is your unique selling point (USP)? Use this in public relations you do.
Network with people. Customers are the lifeblood of your business.
Pick and choose your customers that are a good fit. Don’t do just any work for just anybody.
Speak to local press, national press and speak to journalists.
Write and produce great content. Content isn’t just written or types, it isn’t just words. It’s also video, images, audio, etc. Use a range of media!
Create backlinks to your website
Outreach for new backlinks
Keep on track of what your competitors are doing. Don’t just focus on your own business!
Get to know influencers on social media and see how they can help you.
Any trade journals or specialist magazines in your niche. Contact them? Can you write content for them? Can you advertise with them? Test test test! If you don’t try it you won’t know.
