Put Your Business Online—In Just 3 Steps
When you’re starting a new business, there are many things to consider.
Where should I source materials?
How much time do I need to prepare for a launch?
Which roles should I hire versus outsource to agencies?
The one I often get asked by my clients is what do I need to grow & scale my business from a marketing perspective?
Whether you are a new business just getting started or an established business with regular customers, an online presence is essential! Even if you are generating business by word-of-mouth and referrals, an online presence will help you gain the trust of new customers and build credibility.
Step 1: Get Your Own Domain + Website
Cost: minimum $10
The important thing to note here is you need to own your domain and website--don’t rely on a third-party platform, such as social media. Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are important, but they each have their own risks.
All of my clients are set-up with a dedicated website because it gives them the most control. You never know when regulations, policies, or algorithms will change. If you depend on someone else’s platform, you’re also depending on them to share your content.
Having a domain with your business name is the foundation of your brand.
Step 2: Get Verified on Google My Business
Cost: free
Google is the number one search engine out there. Almost all customers go to Google first to search for options before they buy, so you need to be on Google!
If you are a local business with a physical presence, Google Maps is essential for customers to know how to physically get to your office or storefront.
Google My Business is a free all-in-one online presence tool that allows you to write an ‘about’ section, collect reviews from past customers, and create a clickable button for customers to contact you directly!
Once you have your My Business account set-up, you can also choose to pay for Google Ads to drive traffic.
Step 3: Register Your Social Media Accounts
Cost: free
Some entrepreneurs get caught up in trying to be on all social media platforms. If you have the time and resources to manage them all, great! But if not, pick at least 1 to start with and go with something that makes the most sense for your audience.
When it comes to creating content, I tell my clients to split efforts equally in 3 parts.
Direct selling
Educating
Inspiring
I mentioned before these platforms are almost entirely free because they make money via advertising. This means you can opt to pay for ads to boost traffic to your business. It also means your free content needs to be very engaging in order to perform well as it is easy to get drowned out by paid ads and other trending content.
As a new business owner, it can be overwhelming to think about all the things you need to launch. And if you have been in business for a while, you might be worried you aren’t doing the right things to grow and scale. It is easy to get caught up in all the ad fees and latest apps!
But just remember, you really only need to start with these 3 basic things when it comes to marketing. Once you’re confident and ready, you can work on optimizing and paying for ads to boost your traffic even more!
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Brilliant Marketing is a digital marketing agency that helps small businesses elevate their online presence and ultimately, become more profitable.
