1. Have a website for your business
You may have heard it before, but it’s true – every business needs a website. A website can help your business look professional and gives you control over your branding.
If your competitors have a website but you do not have one it may be easier for customers to find your competitors’ business. There are many time-poor consumers out there who check online before going in store. You don’t want to lose those customers to a competitor just because they have a website and you don’t.
A website can also be accessed 24/7. Being available to provide information to your customers all the time is a huge advantage, especially if your business has limited opening hours. Customers can visit your website, browse and leave enquiries.
Having a website is like being listed in the phone book in the 21st century.
2. Set up My Google Business and make sure you’re on google maps
Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to add your business information to google maps, search, and other google services. It’s a way for you to manage your online presence across Google and it can help customers find your business.
You can display your location, contact number, opening hours, photos, service areas and a lot more. Customers can even leave reviews for your business.
Is my google business free?
Setting up Google My Business is free and it’s a great way for people to find your business and contact information online.
Click to read more about My Google Business.
3. Improve your google ranking by investing in SEO
What does it mean to rank on google?
Rankings on Google refers to a website having a high position in the search engine results page. Googles search engine algorithm ranks websites based on a myriad of ranking factors such as speed, content, backlinks, page quality metrics and much more. The reason for this complexity is because there is only a finite number of websites which they can show on the search results of their users and it is in their best interest (and the users) that the websites listed are the right websites based on the users search intent.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, which refers to the process of optimising a website to rank on Googles search engine results page.
If you’re interested in learning more, Google has a SEO Starter Guide here which contents some really useful information on SEO.
Create content on your website
Try creating “evergreen” content for your website’s blog. Similarly to the evergreen trees that last throughout the seasons, evergreen content is content that continues to provide value and be relevant long after it is published. This type of content can continue to help drive traffic to your website.
Content related to trends for a specific year, or statistics can go out of date very easily, and thus is not considered as evergreen content. Instead, try content that provides top tips or tutorials on how to do something.
For example, a wedding cake business might write an article on “Questions to ask your cake designer when choosing the right wedding cake” or “Tips on selecting the right cake size for the number of wedding guests”.
4. Set up social media and create relevant content
Social media is extremely powerful, especially for small businesses and it’s a great way for customers to find your business. There are many different social media platforms but there are several well-known ones such as:
- TikTok
- YouTube
Finding the right platform to market your business on is important as it can determine your success on social media. For example, a wedding cake business would reach potential customers better via Instagram and Facebook than LinkedIn and Twitter. A wedding cake business would benefit from sharing photos of their previous work, therefore platforms such as Instagram and Facebook would make more sense.
Once you have decided which social media platform is best for your business, create relevant content. Video content is very popular, especially because of TikTok and YouTube. In 2021, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram declared that Instagram was ‘no longer a photo-sharing app’, but ‘leaning into’ video. Here are some ideas for video content:
- Behind the scenes of the business
- Before and afters of your product being used or service being provided
- Get to know owners or origin of the business
- How the product or service works
- Tips from an industry expert
You don’t need any special equipment or a studio to create video content. Start off with your phone! Platforms like TikTok and Instagram let you edit the videos in the app.
Don’t solely focus on the number of followers you can get. Pace yourself and create valuable content and engage with your audience. Remember to respond to people’s comments and reviews. By engaging with your audience, it will incentivise people to continue to interact with your content, and your audience may grow and in turn this will help your business reach more customers.
5. Create a paid marketing campaign on a suitable platform
There are many different methods of paid marketing to use advertise your business products and services.
Although the latest update to iOS has changed the way in which your business can effectively reach, understand and engage people on mobile devices, it is still an effective and viable method of paid marketing. Facebook has a flexible range of different ad types to suit all businesses.
Paid advertising on Google is an extremely effective way to market to specific search terms and is designed to target people who are specifically looking for what your business has to offer.
Over the last couple of years, Twitter has become a powerful method of paid marketing for businesses with a relatively small budget, as it is possible to set up an effective campaign at a low cost.
Influencer marketing
If you have an eCommerce business that is selling a product or service online, considering sponsoring posts directly with social media influencers. This type of marketing is great for consumer products.
If you’re thinking about trying out paid advertising on LinkedIn, look into LinkedIn Ads and see if this is something you need to be doing right now. LinkedIn is great for B2B focused marketing and has a range of different ad types for you to choose from.
Does your business need help with its website or digital marketing?
Sitelabs are digital experts based in Melbourne and can help your small business grow its online presence and generate more leads. We offer a wide range of digital solutions. Get in touch with us today if you are looking to grow your business.
