Why You Need a Strong Online Presence & How To Craft One
We’ve all heard the saying: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. In previous years it was easier to control your customers’ first impression of your brand; storefronts were the place were consumers got to know your company. Today however, the first impression for your customer might just happen in the digital space.
Today’s digital consumer operates on the web, often on more than one device. According to Nielsen’s 2014 Digital Consumer Report, 87% of smartphone and tablet owners use a mobile device for shopping activities. These users are searching for anything from the brand’s physical location, price of services, reviews and other research before making a commitment.
Users are choosing to learn about and become familiar with your brand online before ever setting foot in a physical location. This means that if you’re not creating a good online presence, then you could be missing out on some potential customers. Not only that, if you don’t have a strong online presence it could cost you. Consumers expect to see companies online, where they easily connect and find answers quickly.
So how do you improve your online presence? Here are 3 simple steps to get you started:
- Optimize your website
- Make sure your website is up to date and user friendly. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, most users leave sites within 59 seconds. That means you have to capture their attention immediately with high quality, relevant content.
- Get social
- Are you on social media? Because your clients probably are. According to the Pew Internet Project’s research (http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/), 74% of online adults use social networking sites.
- Be consistent
- Pick a voice for your brand’s online presence, and then stick with it. When choosing how you want to represent your company online, make sure it adheres to your brand standards and company image.
If this seems a little overwhelming, or if you’re just not sure where to start, contact us. We’ll be sure to create a strong online presence for your company that is sure to satisfy customers.