In today’s digital age, having an online presence is essential for any business looking to succeed. With the rise of e-commerce, social media, and online search. Businesses that do not have an online presence risk being left behind. Building your online website is relatively straightforward and affordable. It provides a platform with a unified presence. Allowing you to connect with new and potential customers.
So here are the 7 steps to consider when building your online presence!
Why? Because they put things into context when building your online presence. This is a guide only and is not intended to be a definitive route map. But, we do recommend you research further to get an understanding of what tools and information are available.
Define your target audience and business goals:
Before building your online presence. It’s essential that you clearly understand your target audience and business goals. Who are your customers, and what do they need? What are you looking to achieve, and how can an online presence help you achieve them?
Choosing a domain name and hosting:
Your domain name or website’s address should be short, memorable, and easy to spell. While identifying your business. Visit Google for further reading. Many domain registration companies can help you choose, register and purchase your domain/website address. Finally, you will need to consider a hosting platform. This service allows your website to be accessed on the internet. It is where your digital presence will reside on a server. In many cases, you can buy your domain via the hosting platform by combining your purchase. Not always the cheapest option, but usually the most fuss-free.
Building your website:
Your website will be the foundation of your online presence and you should design it to meet the needs of your target audience. Many website builders can help you create a professional-looking website. Squarespace and Wix are two popular builders, offering a range of templates and customising options. You also have WordPress, which allows for a more bespoke presence and a separate choice of host. Depending on who you talk to, arguably a more flexible approach to customisation.
Whomever you decide to go with, you can either build the site yourself or hire professionals like ourselves: Somewhere uncharted. A professional designer will get you up and running reasonably quickly. Giving you a finished product you can then manage yourself if you choose. Prices can vary depending on the complexity of your project. For example; a landing page would be considered basic, consisting of one page costing you the least amount of money. Lastly for more reading on the subject, visit: Website builders
Creating social media profiles:
Social media is a powerful tool for building an online presence and connecting with customers. You need to link them to your website. Choose the social media platforms that are most relevant to your audience. Creating profiles that are consistent with your brand and website look and feel. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are some of the most popular social media platforms along with TikTok. Note: you do not need them all. Look at who your competitors use and choose. Keeping them up to date will take a considerable amount of your time.
Optimise for search engines:
Search engine optimisation or (SEO) is used to enhance your website to rank higher in search results. This involves using relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and improving your website’s structure and meta tags. SEO is a complex process, but there are free resources to help you get started. For example, Yoast This specialist application has both free and paid-for tools within its repertoire; along with a meaningful knowledge base to help you on your way. Check it out!
Monitor your online presence:
Once your online presence is established, monitor it regularly using the tools mentioned in this article. This includes your social media activity, tracking website traffic and engaging with and responding to customer inquiries and feedback. Monitoring your online presence can help you identify areas for improvement and opportunities for growth. Additional tools to help can be found for free for example, Google Analytics. Alternatively, you can source professional help. Note: some platforms have the equivalent of Google Analytics built in as standard.
Register your website business:
We consider it vital that you register with both Google Business Profile and Bing Webmaster Tools. Why? So your business and website can be identified as genuine by your customers. It costs nothing and will make a difference in terms of perceptions.
In summary, building your online presence can be a great way to connect with customers and grow your business. We hope you found the information in this article useful. Need help? find us at Somewhere Uncharted or drop us an email: l[email protected]. and tell us what we can do for you!
Your Brand Design Specialist!