Everyone knows the importance of being online these days, even if your business is predominantly an offline one. Having a website is the minimum requirement, but many businesses are failing to make the most of their online presence. Here we take a look at some of the most important factors to consider in order to put your best foot forward online:
Stay up to date
If you saw what the future held back in 1995 and built a website for your business back then you deserve a huge pat on the back. However, if you still have that very same website up and running, you are missing a trick. Online business relies heavily on trust, and what users will see is an old-fashioned looking website that looks as though its owner couldn’t care less about appearances.
Regular updating your website’s design will give the impression that you are on top of your game and in touch with what is going on around you. This holds true for all business types: from dentists to dog trainers, financiers to freelancers.
Make it snappy
People have an extremely low tolerance for slow websites these days. Research shows that the average person will click the back button within 4 seconds if a page fails to load. This is no time at all, so a decent hosting package is essential for your online presence.
Choosing a provider such as Host1Plus VPS host will give your website the punch needed to get in front of people in the blink of an eye, ensuring that when a customer wants to view what you have to offer they can do so.
Be social
Incorporating social media into your business is of huge benefit in 2015, as the vast majority of internet users are a member of one social media site or another. By putting your brand in front of these users you are giving them the chance to spread your message. What could be better than having your customers doing your marketing for you?
Be honest
Internet users are generally a savvy bunch, and they can spot a phony a mile away. Be honest with your customer base and show them your failings as well as your triumphs. Allowing them to see where you went wrong, and more importantly what you did to rectify the situation, will give them an insight into your business and make your brand more personable.
Keep it relevant
Despite the old adage of, ‘Create, create, create’, when it comes to content marketing things are changing. Long gone are the days where simply posting anything worked as long as you did it regularly enough. Make sure that your content fits in with your business and gives your visitors value. This goes for your social media accounts as well as your website.
By keeping these five things in mind when you are thinking about your online presence you will be a jump ahead of your competitors. Keeping things fresh, fast, honest, relevant and social will see your traffic grow and loyalty towards your brand improve.
Make friends
Great content needs to be seen, so you’re going to want to have someone other than your parents to show it off to. Thankfully, this has never been easier. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter allow you to hook up with likeminded folk and get your message out there.
The best thing about this is that, providing your content makes the grade, they will begin to do the donkeywork of promoting your content for you. Having a few of these evangelists onside can do wonders for growth, so nurture these relationships right from the start.
That’s it. Four simple things to get you started with your first foray into the world of websites. While a lot of the other questions you’ll have will be important, by following these four steps at the start you will be well on your way to creating a website that will not only stand out, but also stand the test of time.