Here are a few things every business owner can do to help improve their business' online exposure.
Make the most of your assets
If you own a brick and mortar store / garage / office then its important you inform those that use your services about your move online. This wont mean they will never visit you in person again, it just means they can see youre far more accessible.
The majority of people are choosing to go digital and turn to the web to find the services, products and information they need.
So, when your loyal customer next comes in, be proud to advertise your website as this will not only guarantee word of mouth promotion, but will also make you much more attractive to a wider audience.
Use your blog
Often one thing were told by business owners is that they know their industry best; which is undoubtedly true and to that we say, Prove it! Our content is based purely on thorough research, yet as its been pointed out, you know firsthand what your own clients want, how you perceive your company and any new industry updates before anyone else.
To ensure your visitors know what you do, update your blog with facts and information about what youve been up to, as well as any new or big projects youre working on. We appreciate many business owners dont have time on their hands to update frequently, so therefore, assign someone within the company to do it.
Ask for feedback from those who know you best
As designers and MDs alike, we know what we like to see and how we imagine something to look, even before its created. Problem with this is its blinkered vision and often something isnt perceived how it was intended.
Make sure youre attracting the clientele you want by referring back to your website often. You may love the colour blue, but does this reflect what youre about, or would green, silver or even pink appeal to your target audience more?
Also, ask your employees, clients or even family whether or not they would use your website. Unfortunately, the truth may hurt but at least you can do something about it and improve your online exposure by working with a designer to create a website that brings you business.
Promote via your own Social Media
Whether youve never set your eyes on Facebook or like to Tweet on lunch, there are ways to promote your website and create brand exposure in addition to having your own company profile.
If you have your own following established, whether this is old school friends or new neighbours, then social media is a great platform to make others aware of your online presence. Tweet about recent updates to your News Feed and make people aware of new promotions online; this will be sure to generate interest which can then be passed on through social networking.
Of course, if you dont personally own an account, then find someone close to you that does (it wont be hard, I promise) and get them to update their friends and followers with interesting news about the company and online information.
Provide information for Press Releases
Only you the business owner knows when new standards/products/qualifications are due to come out, so its at these times you need to inform your SEO expert and get them to promote this via Press Releases.
Work together with the specialists and they will get you where you deserve to be. By using their copywriting skills and knowledge of SEO, they can put together content that will not only be of interest to your readers, but will also do you huge favours in the ranking stakes.
As an SEO content writer its sometimes hard to bite the old tongue and calmly explain why a press release should have the keyword in the title, or why article spinning is not a positive use of a uniquely written article.
Obviously its our job and duty to inform those unaware of the potential dangers of not following a format when promoting online and adhering to The Mans (Google) rules. Its just sometimes people dont always want your help and Im a big believer in letting others make their own errors to understand what could have been done.
With this mind, there are a few things every business owner can do to help improve their online exposure without the risk of their website being penalised.
Tip One: Make the most of your assets.
If you are a business owner with a brick and mortar store / garage / office then its important that you inform those that use your services about your move online. This wont mean they will never visit you in person again, it just means they can see youre far more accessible and contactable.
Many businessmen like the interaction that they get with their client in-house, however its a fact that the majority of people are choosing to go digital and turning to the web to find the services, products and information they need than ever before.
So, when your loyal customer next comes in, be proud to advertise your website as this will not only guarantee word of mouth promotion, but will also make you much more attractive to a wider audience.
Tip Two: Use your blog.
Often one thing were told by business owners is that they know their industry best; which is undoubtedly true and to that we say, Prove it! Our content is based purely on thorough research, yet as its been pointed out, you know firsthand what your own clients want, how you perceive your company and any new industry updates before anyone else.
To ensure your visitors know what you do, update your blog with facts and information about what youve been up to, as well as any new or big projects youre working on. We appreciate many business owners dont have time on their hands to update frequently, so therefore, assign someone within the company to do it.
Tip Three: Ask for feedback from those who know you best.
As designers and MDs alike, we know what we like to see and how we imagine something to look, even before its created. Problem with this is its blinkered vision and often something isnt perceived how it was intended.
Make sure youre attracting the clientele you want by referring back to your website often. You may love the colour blue, but does this reflect what youre about, or would green, silver or even pink appeal to your target audience more?
Also, ask your employees, clients or even family whether or not they would use your website. Unfortunately, the truth may hurt but at least you can do something about it and improve your online exposure by working with a designer to create a website that brings you business.
Tip Four: Promote via your own Social Media
Whether youve never set your eyes on Facebook or like to Tweet on lunch, there are ways to promote your website and create brand exposure in addition to having your own company profile.
If you have your own following established, whether this is old school friends or new neighbours, then social media is a great platform to make others aware of your online presence. Tweet about recent updates to your News Feed and make people aware of new promotions online; this will be sure to generate interest which can then be passed on through social networking.
Of course, if you dont personally own an account, then find someone close to you that does (it wont be hard, I promise) and get them to update their friends and followers with interesting news about the company and online information.
Tip Five: Provide information for Press Releases
Similarly to Tip Two; only you the business owner knows when new standards/products/qualifications are due to come out, so its at these times you need to inform your SEO expert and get them to promote this via Press Releases.
Work together with the specialists and they will get you where you deserve to be. By using their copywriting skills and knowledge of SEO, they can put together content that will not only be of interest to your readers, but will also do you huge favours in the ranking stakes.
So for the business owners that perhaps feel their SEO company isnt getting them the results they want, maybe look into what else can be done in addition to the articles, press release and link building by helping them to help you. Its relatively simple and they are there to help and advise regarding the best ways to get you to the top.
I would add asking feedback from those you don’t know as well. If you see the opportunity in conversation to ask someone who is new to your site what they think, they might give you some fresh, honest feedback.