6 Reasons Your Small Business NEEDS an Online Presence

If you operate a small business in 2018, having an online presence is an essential component to your business. It’s not just optional anymore, it’s necessary. Without one you are missing so many opportunities! What we mean by an “online presence” isn’t just a website, although that’s important too. We’re also referring to social media profiles, blogs, videos on YouTube, digital advertising, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), review site management, and more. Let’s walk through some of the reasons your small business needs to have an online presence.

1. Let your customers find you! The days of Yellow Pages are over. In 2018, a quick Google search is how most businesses are found, so give your business as many opportunities to show up in those search results as possible. Start with the basics: A website, a blog (hosted on your website), and a Facebook page.
2. Reach a wider audience. While posting physical flyers on neighborhood bulletin boards is a nice grass-roots form of marketing, you’re limited to just the folks in the area. Having an online presence opens you up to a customer base that’s much wider; from different neighborhoods to different cities, or even states (depending on your type of business). Give your business as much exposure as possible!
3. Build relationships with customers and community. By posting information about your business online you can help build relationships with your customers. Include helpful tips in your blog and social media posts. Update them on your latest promotions and offers, and respond to their questions and concerns. People notice when you interact with them. They appreciate it, and remember it!
4. Raise your credibility. Having a credible, authoritative voice in your industry starts with an online presence. Posting important, relevant information helps customers understand that you are a trusted resource. You need to show them that you know what you’re talking about! Let’s say you run an appliance repair business, and a recall happens for a type of dishwasher that’s common in your area. Be the first to post something about it, and notify customers that may be affected. It shows potential customers that you are up to date in your industry, and when you post something, they should pay attention!
5. Level-up your customer service. In today’s world, over half of all customer service inquiries come through digital channels like email, Facebook Messenger, or even Twitter. People will expect to have the option to ask questions online, so you need to meet their expectation. Having a robust website with lots of information about your business can even head off some of those requests. For example, by listing your operating hours on your website, you won’t get as many phone calls asking when your business is open or closed.
6. Cheaper, cost-effective marketing and advertising. Digital advertising can be extremely targeted, much more so than traditional marketing like newspaper ads or billboards. With Facebook and Google Ads, for example, you can pick the exact type of people you think would be interested in your product. Have a business repairing 4-wheel drive trucks? Only pay to show your ads to people that are off-road trucking enthusiasts!

It takes a while to create a robust online presence. But don’t be intimidated, you don’t need to do it all at once! We’d recommend beginning with a website for your business, then you can expand from there as your resources and time allow. The toughest part is to just get started!