In 2024, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for businesses, especially newer businesses, which correlates directly with the continued growth and importance of digital marketing. Having a digital presence allows businesses to stay relevant and competitive in the current digital landscape.
And the fact remains that 97% of consumers go online to find and research local businesses.
Having a strong presence online helps your business in other ways too:
- Make your Business More Trustworthy: 83% of users visit a store based on the information they have found online. Consumers leverage a number of various resources before moving forward with a purchase or visiting the store. If your business is not being continually mentioned, spotlighted and promoted online, the more likely it will get overlooked by potential customers.
- Marketing Rule of 7: It states that it takes an average of seven encounters with a business before a purchase will take place. Having a strong online presence through multiple channels allows you to push the interaction and eventual transaction more swiftly.
- Improve your Consumer Journey: 63% of shopping journeys start online. So to improve your buyer's journey at all stages across multiple devices, maintaining a strong online presence is essential.
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Setting up your digital presence
Establish Your Branding
Building a strong brand identity is a fundamental step in creating a successful online presence for your business.
Design a distinctive visual identity, including your logo, color palette, typography, and other visual elements. Consistency in these elements across all platforms and marketing materials is key to creating a cohesive brand image. Establish brand guidelines that provide clear instructions on logo usage, color codes, typography, and tone of voice to maintain consistency.
By focusing on developing a strong brand identity, you can create a memorable and consistent brand image and have a presence that resonates with your target audience.
Find the Perfect Domain Name
A domain name plays a significant role in your online branding and SEO efforts. Here are some tips for selecting a domain name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember:
- Reflect Your Brand: Your domain name should align with your brand identity and convey the essence of your business. Consider incorporating keywords that represent your business or the products/services you offer.
- Keep it Short and Simple: A shorter domain name is easier to remember and type. Avoid using long or complex words that can confuse your audience. Aim for a concise and straightforward name that is memorable and can be easily typed into a search bar.
- Use Keywords: Including relevant keywords in your domain name can improve your website's search engine visibility. Research keywords related to your industry or niche and try to incorporate them naturally into your domain name. However, make sure not to overstuff keywords and make the name sound unnatural.
Pro Tip: Using a .inc domain can add credibility and professionalism to your business. Your business can have an exact match domain name and protect your customers and your brand's digital presence by being the one and only owner of your brand name.
Utilize a Domain Name Generator: If you're having trouble brainstorming ideas for your domain name, consider using a domain name generator tool. These tools provide suggestions based on keywords or specific criteria you provide. Explore different options and variations to find the perfect domain name for your business.
Build a Professional Website
Customers have high expectations, to the point that if your business does not have a professional website, it is equivalent to not having one. 75% of consumers address a company's credibility based on website design.
Having a professional website establishes trust among your audience, making them more likely to engage with your products or services. Moreover, a user-friendly website enhances the overall user experience, ensuring that visitors can easily navigate, find relevant information, and take desired actions.
Mobile responsiveness is another critical aspect of website development. With the increasing use of smartphones, it's vital to ensure that your website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes. A mobile-friendly website not only provides a better user experience but also improves your search engine rankings.
So, make sure to invest in creating a website that truly reflects your brand and meets the needs of your audience.
Establish a Social Media Presence
Using social media to increase your online presence is the quickest and most cost-effective method for engaging with your target audience, amplifying brand visibility, and increasing brand awareness.
Recent statistics from Sprout Social depict that, after following a brand on social media, 91% of consumers will visit its website, 89% will buy from the brand, and 85% will recommend the brand to a family or friend.
Here are a few tips to get started:
- Identify your target audience and choose the appropriate social media platforms they use. Select your top 3 for solid engagement.
- Create engaging and relevant content that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.
- Post consistently and interact with your followers to build relationships and grow your online community.
- Monitor your social media analytics and adjust your strategy based on the data to optimize your presence.
Email Marketing
It is said that- "Secure a spot in their inbox, and you're halfway to securing them in your cart".
Email Marketing is a Go-to recommendation for new businesses devising strategies to increase their web presence. The ROI depends on the email list you build and whether or not the recipients have opted in to receive your emails.
However, there are a few evergreen email marketing practices to engage with your target audience:
- Write Catchy Subject Lines: An irresistible, good, and catchy subject line has higher chnaces of open rates leading to more users in your cart.
- Build Good Content: Offer a free tool downloadable guide or ebook to your users with a strong CTA.
- Promotions to Subscribers: Give your loyal email subscribers exclusive discounts or coupons and make them feel valued.
With the right strategy, email marketing can be a cornerstone in establishing a loyal customer base and helping your new business grow online. Emailing the right stuff to people is like laying a strong foundation for your business in the digital world—it keeps customers coming back and helps your business get bigger.
Takeaways
Building an online presence is crucial for the success of new businesses in 2024. It allows businesses to increase their online visibility, establish strong online branding, and reach potential customers through cost-effective marketing methods. From building a standout website to harnessing the power of social media and email marketing, every step toward online visibility matters.
And in this landscape, the choice of domain isn't just an afterthought—it's a strategic move. Opting for a .inc domain elevates your brand's credibility and professionalism, setting you apart in a crowded online space. It's the finishing touch that seals the deal, signaling to your audience that you mean business!
