Competition is always tight in any industry, so you have to leverage any advantage you have.
The ongoing pandemic has catalyzed the shift of our usual activities onto the online space. And with the advent of 5G and the quick turnaround technology, we can’t deny that digitalization is here to stay.
In today’s article, we’re going to show how you can set up your business online, even if you’re not a master web developer.
So you might ask, “What is digitalization?”
Digitalization is when you use digital technologies with digitized data. Some examples of digitalization are analyzing data on an online spreadsheet and uploading a PDF on your website.
Digitalization is when you use technology and digitized data. So when you move your business online, you are digitalizing your business.
Establish and Strengthen Your Online Presence
The Internet has become a significant source of information for everyone. The Google Search results are like pages of a central phonebook that tells your customers how to reach you.
If your customers don’t see you on those Search results, they might move on to your competitors. One way of retaining them is to work on your online presence.
Here are a few things you can start with:
Set up a website
Having a website helps your business look legitimate and professional. Think of it as your business’s virtual store or office. Even if you’re not online, customers can find out more about you and the services that you can offer them.
And unlike social media, a website allows you to educate and engage your audiences using long-form content like blog posts and reports.
Get your business listed on Google
Isn’t it amazing how local restaurants found their way on your Google Search when you typed in “restaurants near me”?
Make your business searchable by adding it to Google Maps. Do note that you can only list it at your physical business address. Follow these steps to get your business listed:
1. Access Google My Business
Go to Google My Business and click on the “Get on Google” button.
2. Type in your business name and address
Use the search bar and type these in.
3. Select or add your business
If you see your business on the suggested matches, click to select the listing. If not, click on “Add your business.”
Provide accurate information on the fields required. This will help Google properly classify and display your listing.
4. Verification
After submitting the information about your business listing, Google will verify if that address is associated with your business. In about one to two weeks, Google will send a postcard that contains a verification PIN.
In some instances, Google gives you an easier verification option by sending the PIN through text message or automated phone call.
5. Confirmation
Confirm your business and set up your page. Make sure to set up your Google My Business page because Google uses it for local search optimization.
Maximize your social media account
If you aren’t using social media for your business, now is the perfect time to get on board and invest in it.
In his interview with Forbes, author and sales consultant Phil Jones shares that social media platforms are important because your customers are already using them.
The great thing about using social platforms is it lets you directly engage with your customers.
Because business owners currently have more time to focus on their social media, Jones shares that businesses are starting to see the advantages. By producing impactful content, companies drive up engagement with their audiences in various forms.
Some businesses can provide timely advice on their customer’s problems through social media. For others, audiences engage and save their fun and valuable content for later.
Collect and Leverage Data
The great thing about setting up a website and maximizing your social media accounts is they provide insights on what your customers need and want.
Your website could help you build an email list while your social media accounts could give you feedback about your customer’s experience with your product or service.
What’s great about this data is you can make business decisions that cater to your customer’s needs.
Wrapping Up
With everything moving online, having a strong online presence should be among your top investments. With all the online tools available, it could get quite overwhelming to select the best platform that fits your business.
But you don’t have to do this shift alone. An outsourcing company like Virtual Champs Global can help you transition your business online with services like digital marketing and virtual assistance.
Get in touch with us to find out how we can help you make that shift.
