Running a small business in the modern digital surroundings is both a challenge and a privilege.
The tricky part is that many other businesses are trying to find their place in the online market.
The good thing is that SMB owners can use many options to promote and grow their ventures today.
In this article, we’re going to share some practical tips on how to skyrocket a small business in the present-day online environment.
1) Create relevant content
Content is the beginning and end of every promotion. If you produce relevant and practical content, you’ll generate more leads and convert them into customers.
Here’s what we think makes relevant content:
- Actionable practices. Leads and customers alike appreciate practical advice. So, find out what bothers your target audience and offer actionable practices and tutorials to help them resolve those issues.
- Success stories. Share your success stories with your audience to inspire and encourage them. Write about other businesses that have become successful.
- Current affairs. Inform your readers about the current affairs in your industry.
By creating various types of content, you’ll inspire different groups of readers to stay on your website and see what else you offer. The more time they spend with you, the more likely it is they’ll buy something or use your services.
2) Focus on customers
Now that you have adequate content that meets your clients’ needs, don’t stop there. Keep the focus on your customers by giving them different options in everything you do.
For starters, accept different payment options to be able to process payments from customers from different parts of the world.
Simplify the website registration process and offer several different options, such as registering via email, Gmail or Facebook.
Divide the services and products you offer into several pricing plans. By doing so, you’ll target several groups of potential buyers with different budgets. On the other hand, if you offer only one plan for your services, some customers will find it too expensive, while others will lack premium packages.
As for customer support, use chatbots, email support service, and call center agents. That way, you’ll cover several bases to ensure top-notch, seamless assistance to your customers.
3) Work on networking
While content will help you connect with your audience, this is not enough to ensure a bright business future.
You need to work on your networking, as well, to build a pool of business connections.
For starter, register on LinkedIn. It’s the most popular business network in the world so it’s good to be present there.
Connect with professionals from your niche, as well. Think about joining an association of professionals from your industry. Also, join various social media groups that gather your colleagues.
If relevant for your promotion, visit trade shows and business conferences. These are perfect occasions to discuss various topics with people of similar interests.
4) Turn to social media
Social media have become an inevitable segment of online marketing for businesses of all sizes.
In line with that, SMB owners should use them as much as possible to increase their visibility on the Web.
We’ve already mentioned LinkedIn above. Apart from connecting with other business professionals, it can help you land new jobs, as well. Once you learn how it works, consider using promotional premium trials on LinkedIn.
The next important social network for businesses is Facebook. Even though it has lost its edge, due to the emergence of other social media, it’s still the most popular network in the world. Launch a business page and check out various parameters that will help you create campaigns and target the right audience.
Instagram is a useful network, as well, especially for ecommerce businesses targeting younger audiences. Still, even if you’re not planning to sell via Instagram, it will help you spread the word about your business and boost its popularity.
When promoting your business on social networks, use various social media management tools to see how well you’re doing.
5) Optimize the homepage
Every lead that you generate via social media or advertising will eventually come to your website.
So, if you want to make your business thrive in the digital environment, you need a well-organized and informative website.
For starters, put all the vital information to the homepage. Customers like to see what you offer and how much it costs as soon as they come to the website. So, if you have pricing plans, highlight them so that customers immediately know if they want to stay with you.
Also, keep the tabs for different website sections easily accessible to visitors. The web designers from a Houston web design company suggest that SMB owners make a list of priorities for different website sections and organize the tabs in line with that list.
For instance, a plumbing business needs to ensure that their and services are easily spotted on the homepage.
On the other hand, a business providing digital services should focus more on the value they bring to potential customers. The prices and services come afterward.
You need to juggle several different features to grow a small business in the modern digital surroundings. Always concentrate on your customers’ needs when you’re producing content and putting together your services. The more options they have at their disposal, the better for your mutual relationship.
Finally, mind the social media and your website to cover all the bases that accelerate business growth on the Internet.