An online presence is important for outbound marketing because it reinforces your brand and what you offer to your target market. Once you’ve communicated with your audience, you’ll need to have a web presence that helps portray why your product or service is so great – because that’s the next stop for the majority of your potential customers.
A thriving business feeds on generating engagement. During this time of uncertainty, it is absolutely crucial for businesses to connect with consumers and stay relevant. In the last decade or so in particular, many consumers have become accustomed to finding what they want online. According to a Salesforce survey, 85% of consumers conduct research before they make a purchase online, and among the most used channels for research are websites (74%) and social media (38%). Consequently, businesses need to have an effective online strategy to increase brand awareness and grow.
A digital presence gives your brand an ideal platform to communicate with consumers. It gives you the opportunity to set the narrative on who you are as a brand and set yourself apart from competitors. More than just your website, your digital presence expands to all the touch points a consumer may have with your brand online. While this does indeed include your website, it can also include areas outside of your control, such as the conversations about your brand on social media and online reviews. In order to put your best foot forward in front of consumers, consider bolstering all aspects of your brand online.
Why is a digital presence so important for your business?
Visibility – Your small business can’t be everywhere, all of the time, can it? With a digital presence, it can. Your business can be seen by thousands of potential customers in the search engines, on social media and in industry forums where people can learn what your business is about.
Authority – Having a digital presence and using it effectively can make you an authority in your industry. From publishing informative content, to posting demonstration videos, your digital presence can show customers why they should be shopping with you.
First Impression – The first impression the customer gets of you and your business is always the most important. In the real world, we can’t always control the impression we leave with customers as there are so many variables. You can control your online image and the impression customers receive through your digital presence. A premium digital profile and attractive website will get your business noticed and will plant a good first impression in the minds of potential customers.
24/7/365 – Your physical store may be open 8-12 hours per day. This leaves another 12-16 hours where you could be selling products or providing information to potential customers. A digital presence means that they see your business and your products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. This can double your profits and grow your business even while you are sleeping. This will also give a boost to your marketing efforts, which for many SME’s just starting out, are lackluster at best.
Your digital presence will help to build a relationship between your business and your customers, whether existing or potential, better serving their needs by communicating relevant information to your potential customers. When customers can communicate their needs, and you provide solutions through a two-way digital relationship, they are less inconvenienced, and you’ll free up more time to focus on building your empire.
In the digital age, your business needs to have an online presence. The ability to market online is essential for all businesses, big and small, as it impacts the way people make their purchasing decisions. An online presence is one of the most important investments that a business can make and the more time you spend dedicated to building your online presence the more you will get out of it. The benefits are endless!
Need help with establishing your digital presence, or making your existing one more effective? Reach out to us at Rebels Playground to find out how we can help your business stand out in the digital world.