Cyber Corner by Keno Ogbo
THREE MUST-HAVES FOR ONLINE BUSINESS SUCCESS
It is hard enough getting a business to succeed, but there are a lot of materials, resources and help available through accountants, business coaches and business courses. These resources would not translate or help a business achieve success online, however; a different set of tactics should be used instead. Although this article relates to businesses, the principles are the same for every organisation that wants to reach a wider audience. Here are the three key areas organisations need to focus on in order to succeed online.
1. A HIGHLY RANKED WEBSITE
Search engines are now firmly established as our secondary source of knowledge, as most people use one to find out the latest news or opinions, how to’s, and information about any topic under the sun. Being highly ranked on search engines ensures your website is found whenever a relevant search is made. To be ranked highly, particularly on Google, it is important to have a mobile responsive website. To check if your website is responsive, visit: https://www.google.co.uk/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/
Google now considers the responsiveness of websites when ranking, and will drop the ranking of websites that are not mobile responsive.
2. A HIGHLY CONVERTING WEBSITE
Too many businesses use their website as a brochure: an electronic means of providing information about the company. I have a number of clients, who do not expect any new business from their websites. They simply want a point of reference to direct potential clients to. This is a valid reason, and a website can sometimes make the difference between a purchaser’s decision being positive or negative. However, your website should be created with one thing in mind – conversion. How does your content compel or encourage the visitor to do business with you?
3. A HIGHLY INTERACTIVE PLATFORM
With the explosion of social media and the audience it captures, it is no longer an option whether a business should have an online presence; it is absolutely vital. But a significant step that will get the required results is building interactivity on your online platforms. On Facebook, this would mean asking questions on your page, posting images, stating your FAQs, providing tips and resources and sharing relevant content. The question is always to ask yourself “What should I put on my page for people to respond to?” and when they do, respond back, thank them, and provide an answer. On Twitter, this would mean ‘following back’, retweeting posts, @mentions, and using popular hashtags, such as #FF (Follow Friday), where you celebrate followers.
TEN WAYS TO BUILD YOUR BRAND ONLINE
Your brand reflects how people perceive you. It should communicate your values, principles and what you stand for. Here are some ways that you can build your online presence.
- Website: The starting point for any marketing or brand building activity
- Email Signature: Most people neglect this important opportunity to get their brand in front of warm contacts
- Facebook Pages
- Twitter Account: To connect with new audiences easily
- LinkedIn: For business networking
- Marketing Yourself Offline: Having good quality stationery, business cards and promotional materials
- Be helpful: Talk about what you do and how you add value. Always offer to help
- Use video
- Use humour
Amplifying your brand: Set competitions, award ceremonies and gratitude cards, and get your existing and potential audience to interact with your brand
Legal information for websites
Registered information: You need to make sure that you show the necessary registered information on your website. This includes business name, place of registration, registered number and any trade associations.
Cookies: You should make sure that you get users’ consent to leave cookies on their computer.
Privacy Policy: You also need to make sure that you have a data protection notice displayed on your website. This lets people know if you store their data and what you would use it for, if anything, in the future.
Terms and Conditions: These can be quite complicated to get right, but they are essential. You need to include details such as delivery details, returns policy, distance selling regulations, and description of your service.
TOOL OF THE MONTH
Monthly managed websites
With a plethora of DIY website kits available, it can be quite confusing for a business on a low budget to decide how to approach getting online easily and quickly. Most businesses opting for DIY kits end up wasting valuable time, learning a new skill and, unfortunately, ending up with a sub-standard product. Other businesses may use a cheap freelancer, but are still left with a website to manage.
With monthly managed custom built websites, you do not have to pay anything until your website is completed, and the low monthly fee includes your hosting, content updates and maintenance.
It is probably the easiest way to get online.
Visit www.rentawebsitehere.co.uk for more details.
Keno Ogbo is the CEO of Spiral Web Solutions, a digital marketing agency helping organisations achieve results online. Call 07958 004 739 or email keno@spiralwebsolutions.com to book a complimentary 45-minute strategy session.
