5 Critical Steps to Getting Your Business Online

If you run a business, you need an online presence. It’s that simple. It is an extremely effective way to market your products and services, reach out to existing customers, and attract new ones to your company.
The great news is that not only can any business get online, but it’s also easy to do so – if you know what you’re doing. So, with that said, here are five critical steps to getting your business online:

1. Create a professional website

As a starting point, you should always create a website. This is the foundation for everything else, and the only way you can maximise visibility online for your business.
Yet you cannot simply settle for any old website. You need one which is modern, responsive, and mobile-friendly. Trying to do this is tough, particularly if you’re new to web design. This is why it’s recommended to use a web design agency. For example, Cude Design is one of the leading remote agencies working from Surrey that specialises in WordPress.
Along with its easy to use nature, WordPress is a recommended platform for any beginner due to all of the tools and guides readily available.

2. Google My Business

If someone searches for your business, you want to be easily found, right? A way of ensuring this happens is by setting up a free Google My Business account. A GMB listing provides easy access to essential details such as:

• Phone number
• Website
• Hours of operation
• Directions on Google Maps

Another advantage is your business has the added possibility of showing up in general local searches about your industry. Say you run a dental practice in Manchester. If someone types into Google “root canal in Manchester”, your practice could turn up in the main search results at the top of the page.

3. Create social media accounts

Out of all online marketing methods, social media has the most potential. This is due to the highly engaged audiences they possess. Facebook alone has over 2.5 billion monthly active users. Then you have the likes of Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, which also boasts a staggering amount of highly engaged users.
This provides your business with fantastic promotional opportunities. If you put in the work to build a following, you can attract a large number of potential customers.

4. Utilise a content marketing strategy

When you have a website, social media, and other online platforms set up, you mustn’t leave them dormant. Instead, you want to increase your reach with an effective content marketing strategy.
There are many different ways in which this can be done. Creating regular blog posts on your website is a recommended method for boosting search engine optimisation (SEO). Another tactic is to post high-quality content on your social media each day.

5. Measure the results

When working online, the measurable nature of everything is one of its most significant benefits. Whether it’s site visitors or social media impressions, you can analyse statistics and use this to your advantage. See what’s working and what isn’t, and plan your future content with this knowledge.