Free Ways to Build Your Online Presence
So, you know you need to build your online presence and you know that doing so will get you more customers. But knowing how to do it isn’t always as straightforward as we would like. After all, making yourself known online isn’t just a case of paying for a few ads and hoping for the best. There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
If you’re looking to scale your business and know you need to build your online presence, but don’t know how, don’t despair. We’ve got the lowdown on some quick and easy ways you can build your online presence and raise your profile among your target market.
Set up a Google Business profile
One of the most important things you can do in the quest to build your online presence is to register for a Google Business Profile. You can create a profile at no cost and it’s one of the easiest ways to optimise your business presence online. Your ‘Business Profile’ is Google’s term for your Google Business listing. Business Profiles appear in Google Maps and in the local results of Google Search. Anyone can create one and the information is populated with information that Google pulls in from the web.
Create a Google My Business account
Although it sounds similar to a Google Business profile, this is what gives you control over your Google Business profile and associated information. Through your Google My Business account dashboard, you can provide hours, a link to your website, products, pricing and other details that make your business unique.
Write blog content regularly
It’s simple – the more content you produce, the more opportunity you have to show up online. Content writing truly is one of the best ways to build your online presence. When it’s written well and with SEO in mind, it helps you show up in search engines, websites and social media. To start producing content, think about the places you want to show up online. Instagram? Google? Twitter? Knowing your goals before you start content writing is key.
Provide value to your customers
Your blog provides a great platform to showcase your expertise. The more informative, unique content you write, the more you’ll be favoured by Google. Provide value to your customers with informative posts that they can save and come back to – or videos that show them how to do something. Providing added value in this way also means you’re likely to attract new customers who have stumbled across your content.
Master SEO
When it comes to the best method for increasing your online presence, SEO is the most worthwhile investment you can make. You want your brand to pop up as often as possible, and an SEO strategy is crucial to make this happen. Stuck on how to think like an SEO pro? A good starting point is to think like your customer. What will they Google? What kinds of things are they looking for? Write a list of words that crop up – these will form part of the basis of your keyword research and digital marketing strategy.
Use social media regularly
Having a social media presence is much more than just having a profile with random content. You need to create tailored content that is specific to the needs and interests of your audience. Doing this builds trust and once you have this in the bag you’re closer to earning business.
Post to your website in forums
The more quality backlinks to your website, the higher up the Google chain you’ll go. It’ll also increase your domain authority, which strengthens your online presence. If you’re a contributor to other websites, be sure to include a link to your business profile. Think about it as leaving your mark wherever you can online. The more marks you leave, the more you’ll be noticed!
Call in the professionals
Raising your presence online takes hard work, dedication and most of all, time. If you would rather focus on your day job without worrying about learning SEO, content writing and digital marketing strategy, let us take it off your hands. We will work with you to create a digital marketing strategy that will elevate your brand and boost your profits. Contact us today to find out how.
