Consumer Questions Answered by the Experts
How do I Navigate the Digital Landscape for Business?
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one are the days where businesses had very few options when it came to marketing their pro1lex marketplace consisting of most of the original options while adding the options of online search, digital storefronts and social media, to name just a few. If you’re feeling frustrated and confused about where you should invest your hard-earned money, don’t worry, you’re not alone. After multiple discussions with business owners and managers in Kamloops and area, we’ve heard a consistent concern: how do I choose the right digital path for my company? Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all solution that will work for every business or vertical market. There are, however, some things that every business should be aware of that can help guide you down the right path and set your business up for success online.
Google My Business
Your Digital First Impression
Many of you may have heard the expression “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”. The same applies to your business online. By the time a customer visits your store or office for the first time they have already formed an opinion of your business based on your online ratings and your website. This is why we encourage business owners and managers to think of your website as your digital receptionist. It should be able to answer any questions people have about your products or services. Understanding now how big of a role your website plays in the success of your business, here is a quick checklist to make sure you’re on the right track. • My website provides a great first impression. Making sure your website is a true representation of your business, looks great and is easy to navigate is a must in today’s world online. • I have control of my website and I have the ability to update the information on it. Keeping your information up to date can help eliminate confusion and frustration with your potential customers.
Making sure you claim or create your Google listing is a key first step to your company’s online presence. This is free to do and • My website is secure. This means you have SSL certification don’t worry, no matter what the telephone salesperson says, you which tells potential customers that you’re a real person, don’t require a credit card to do it and your listing won’t expire. your business is real, and they can interact with your Once you have control of your listing, make sure you keep it website without fear of hackers collecting information. current. This is a great tool to communicate the most frequently searched questions by your potential customers. This includes your • My website looks great on all devices. More than half of your business hours, location, and contact info. Also start posting your website visitors (and that number is increasing every year) visit blog articles, and products for sale (if you’re setup for e-commerce) your website from their mobile devices which are all different and link them back to your website. This can help your website rank sizes. People are also visiting it from computers using large screen higher in search queries. monitors. Make sure your site is appealing for all your users. Your Google listing will also provide you with valuable feedback • I can sell my products or services on it. Don’t kid yourself: the for your traditional marketing campaigns. Typically, the first world has become accustomed to shopping online thanks to behavior customers do after experiencing an advertisement or online retail giants like Amazon. Asking your customers to having a friend recommend your business is Google your business support your local business is great; however, business owners online. Your listing will provide you details such as how many times need to meet their customers with the same level of online people have searched for your business and how many people got convenience that they already have with your competitors. directions, called, or visited your website. A successful ad campaign If you’re interested in learning more about reimagining will see these statistics increase. your business in a digital age, please feel free to reach out for a free consultation. We’re here to help.
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