1. YOUR WEBSITE

A website is your virtual shop front, so you need to make it count. A free or paid website template from platforms such as Wix, Squarespace or Weebly can help get you set up quickly. If you have the budget, you could also hire a web developer to create a fully customised design, tailored to your brand.

A good website should:

  • be visually appealing
  • be easy to navigate
  • help build brand credibility
  • make it easy to share information
  • be set up to drive conversions.

2. AN SEO STRATEGY

Creating a website is the first step, but then you’ll want to ensure people can find it. That’s where search engine optimisation (SEO) comes into play. It helps your website rank higher in search engine results.

If you’re keen to give it a go yourself, there’s plenty of free information about SEO strategies online, including some online courses. However, there are also SEO experts who can do the heavy lifting for you, depending on your budget.

Remember, SEO is not a set-and-forget strategy. The landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s critical to keep up to date, to monitor and optimise your approach.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media has become an invaluable tool for doing business. So, once you have identified the right platforms for your business, you should create a strategy that’s in line with your business objectives, such as:

  • brand building
  • increasing conversions
  • audience research.

Then, it’s all about creating engaging content to support those goals and engage with your followers online to create long-lasting customer relationships.

4. LIST YOUR BUSINESS

Listing your business on platforms such as GoogleMyBusiness, Bing Places or the Yellow Pages can make it easier for prospective customers to find your business while searching for a related product or service online. To support a frictionless customer experience make sure all listings are current, with up-to-date opening hours, web addresses and contact details.