Online Presence

When considering an online presence, some common questions and thoughts of some potential clients include, “Why should we go online?”, “Why spend hard earned cash on an intangible product where we feel we have no control?” Or, “We are busy enough now so we don’t need it!!”, “Online is not for everyone!!!!”

There are loads of arguments here but please consider the following ….

First of all, the figures are out there for all to see, nearly every day of the week there are online presence success stories like the “Angry Birds” game with a recent investment of $ 1.2 billion, Paddy Powers profit growth due to online betting, face book with the most sustained growth in brand strength globally in the last 3 years and now 44% of the Irish population have a face book account. We live in a new world of connectivity, even tweeting our most personal experiences, a global community like never before.

An online presence is an opportunity to touch a potential audience like never before where you can offer your services 24x7x365 not just in your local area, but provincially, nationally and even internationally. Of course you as an entrepreneur/business need to back it up with the product, service, delivery and after sales. Now, how should a business present their image on line?

You have two options when going on line, do it right or do it half-hearted and hope a customer who searches till their heart is content, finds your service on page +++++ When discussing this with potential clients I suggest that their online presence should be similar to the first impression they create when meeting a potential customer, which is, dressed for the occasion, informed and readied for action.

So why neglect the ultimate salesperson? Your digital presence never sleeps, informs customers as you the business desires, has a continuous, consistent message and even works on Christmas Day!!

I would suggest to any business owner, entrepreneur to consider their online presence. If you are not online do something about it. Make sure you are in control and that the presence is going to get you the ranking you deserve on searches. If you already have a presence, stop and review it. Come out of your email settings and Google as a potential customer. Some key questions you should be asking include,

• Can my target audience find me?
• Is the information relevant and up to date?
• Does it represent my company as I would want, highlighting all my services?
• Is it user friendly and search engine compatible?
• Would I like to do business with this particular service that is on offer, online?
• How does it compare to the competition which is only a click away?

Only you can answer this honestly and please keep in mind, why should one limit their potential audience or only give them a limited profile of what your business has to offer. Embrace the old saying, “put your best foot forward at every opportunity” and let the world know you are open for business.

Your online presence never sleeps.

Digital Marketing

“For the flower to bloom, you need the right soil as well as the right seed. The same is true to cultivate good thinking.”

- William Bernbach