Have you wondered if your business’s online presence is strong enough to generate business growth? For companies seeking growth, credibility, and competitive edge, online presence is no longer a luxury but a necessity. As the world increasingly pivots toward online outlets for everything from shopping to seeking professional services, companies that embrace and harness the energy of the digital space place themselves favorably to reap immense benefits.

This article explores the advantages of building a solid online presence, shedding light on aspects like enhanced findability, round-the-clock marketability, and the treasure trove of analytics data, all collectively contributing to businesses’ sustainability and success in the modern marketplace.

What is an online presence, exactly?

Your online presence is the expansive picture Internet users have of your business. Potential customers build their perception of your business based on the following: 

• Your website’s design and features
• The content you publish
• How you engage online with other businesses/professionals and your followers, and how often.
• Where you exist regarding search engine results and social media algorithms.
• The reviews, testimonials, and other comments made about your business online.

The Perks

Findability

Developing your company identity online brings you your ideal customers who’ve yet to hear of your brand, naturally because it’s easier for them to discover you. As reported by Google, 97% of search engine users search online to find a local business.

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Furthermore, you’ll want to ensure your website is mobile-responsive. By setting up a mobile responsive website, also called mobile-friendly, businesses can drive forward their search engine rankings and earn more web visibility. This is because Google uses the mobile-friendly test to determine whether a webpage is optimized for viewing on mobile. Another way to earn more visibility is to create visually compelling content, like animations and videos, or tap into influencer marketing. Individuals who have taken time to grow their following within a specific niche have a loyal following that trusts the influencer to lead them in the right direction regarding what and who to buy it from.

Credibility

Increased credibility can be an enormous benefit to your business’s online presence. How often have you chosen a local restaurant based on Yelp reviews? How often have you decided on one product over another because it appeared more trustworthy? These types of questions bring into view the authority of online presence. 

As a 25-year-old Gen Z, when I come across a business’s website that appears modernized, aesthetically pleasing and has a straightforward information structure, I know I can mark off yes to the credibility query. Whether I’m searching for an electrician, a law firm, or a makeup professional,  I will always choose the business that took the time to make its online storefront a simple yet compelling engagement. Similar thinking can be applied to how a company interacts with its followers on social media. An active social media profile is more trustworthy than an inactive one.

Round-the-Clock Marketability

Envision a store open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without the lingering overhead expenses. That’s what an online presence provides – a platform perpetually accessible, no matter the time of day or night. 

Moreover, many of us have purchased or searched for something in the middle of the night. With digital storefronts, customers can scroll past the boundaries of business hours. And folks have gotten used to this convenience. They can browse, request consultations, and purchase whenever suits them, expanding the business’s potential sales opportunities. 

Analytics and Data

Online platforms like websites and social media profiles allow companies to amass practical data about visitors and shoppers. This information enables you to specify your most viewed products or services, the amount of time spent on a visit and the most popular pages, as well as the most active day of the week. With this knowledge, businesses can quickly refine their content strategies and SEO plans to optimize conversions.

How to Build a Persuasive and Powerful Online Presence

Acquire a Fresh and Inviting Website

360 Web Designs suggests modernizing your website every few years. That’s because a website that appeared modern and aesthetically pleasing in 2018 could very well be considered out of style and missing essential core elements that characterize fine-tuned websites of today.

Improve your SEO presence.

While search engine optimization is a long-term strategy, it is also one of the most far-reaching aspects of boosting organic search traffic and growing brand visibility. Investing in an SEO plan is the leading method for showing up on the first page of Google’s results for a specific keyword and getting your business in front of the right people. Remember that 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results.

In Conclusion

Online presence is a part of your business that you must pay attention to. Begin understanding, monitoring, and enhancing your online presence by gathering the information that makes up your business’s digital footprint, pinpointing areas of improvement, and slowly starting to make those necessary changes.

360 Web Designs is always here to offer assistance. We love helping our clients grow. Get in touch today!