The primary goal of every startup is growth. The journey to success can be a bumpy one, with highs and lows – at times, you may feel like you’re on top of the world, only to find yourself on the brink of bankruptcy a few days later.
That’s why you must do everything possible to accelerate growth and focus on marketing your products and services online.
Below, you’ll find several must-haves for your business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve.
Have your own website
Not having a website today is a luxury you cannot afford. Two-thirds of small businesses have a website, and of those that don’t, 35% believe they are too small to need one. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
As most purchases begin at home, on mobile or desktop devices, your business should be easily accessible when someone searches for you. Having a website can bring numerous benefits to your business, including:
- Easier access to your contact details and NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information.
- Increased marketing opportunities, from local to global reach.
- Converting prospects into paying customers using published content.
- Boosting your business’s credibility.
- A cost-effective way to increase sales and build your customer base.
When creating your website, ensure it’s user-friendly, so customers can navigate it effortlessly. Optimising your site for both local and global searches is vital for enhancing reach and visibility. Choosing the right web hosting service provider is also crucial, as it can significantly affect your website’s performance and customer experience.
Be present on social media
To grow your business quickly, you need to be where your customers are – on social media. Almost half of small business owners handle promotional tasks themselves. If you want to follow suit, focus on the channels most commonly used in your industry and by your target audience. There are many tips for improving your social media marketing strategy, but start with the following:
- Create your social media pages.
- Post frequently and consistently.
- Respond to both positive and negative comments.
- Tailor your content to your buyer persona, addressing their behaviours, needs, interests, and pain points.
- Use different types of content to boost engagement – 54% of consumers want to see more videos from the brands they support, while including various visual content can significantly increase engagement rates.
- Engage your followers with social media discounts, giveaways, contests, etc.
Cut your expenses by going online
If your business can operate entirely online, you can make it cost-efficient by working from home while still appearing professional. Rent a virtual office space to save money that you would otherwise spend on a physical office. This option provides a business postal address, a receptionist, scanned and delivered post, and managed incoming calls.
Another way to cut costs and save money is by outsourcing some tasks to specialised companies instead of hiring your own staff. There are many affordable firms, such as APAC region-focused Data Zoo, that can manage complex activities like ID verification or accounting tasks professionally and reliably. By choosing expert online solutions, you can be confident that your tasks will be handled skilfully, potentially saving money in your budget.
What about an online shop?
You might also consider opening an online shop, making your products or services more accessible to your customers while simultaneously making your job much easier. There are several benefits of having an online retail presence:
- Your customers will have access to your shop 365 days a year, 24/7.
- Increased flexibility can improve customer satisfaction.
- You can reach customers beyond your local area.
- Gathering reviews can boost your reputation.
Be there for your customers’ needs 24/7
Although your shop can be open all the time, your customers’ needs go beyond simply completing a purchase. They often require help and support, whether it’s deciding on the best option or addressing an issue they’re facing.
Today, customers don’t want to wait. When they need support, they want it immediately. Statistics show that 66% of customers believe the most important thing a company can do to provide excellent service is to value their time. If you don’t respond promptly, they may become dissatisfied and leave. On the other hand, if customers are pleased with the support your business provides, they’ll share their positive experiences and become advocates within their personal circles, further promoting your business growth.
Consider how to offer your customers the service and support they need 24/7. Whether you opt for chatbots or outsource some tasks to specialised companies will depend on your budget and requirements. However, make sure you move your business in this direction as soon as possible.
Boost your business communication
Using the internet and modern technologies can be a cost-effective way to streamline your business communications, both with your internal staff and business partners. You can collaborate efficiently, with minimal limitations, and reduce the time needed to make arrangements and decisions.
Another advantage is that, with the use of these technologies, your employees and partners don’t have to be physically near you. This means you’re not restricted when it comes to hiring or choosing partners. By using cloud storage and various services, you can make all your documents easily accessible, regardless of where you or your employees are located. You can also manage, delegate, and monitor all business tasks quickly, ensuring each team member is completing their work promptly.
As you can see, online marketing and the use of online technology can significantly increase your business’s chances of success.
