In the digital age, it is essential for most businesses to have an online presence. Of course, not all businesses focus on the online market, and some operate completely in person. Despite this, having a presence and being discoverable online can help to expand your audience and bring in potential new customers.

Traditional Business Shifting to Online

Plenty of businesses that have previously only operated in person have had to adapt to be able to compete in todays market place. The impact of covid-19 has acted as a catalyst for many different businesses that have had to change their model in order to operate under the circumstances.

Examples of this adaptation can be seen in the hospitality industry, where many restaurants have started utilising online platforms to offer takeaway and delivery services. In the leisure industry, gyms have started offering personalised work out routines via video streams.

The Rise of E-Commerce

Many shops have also adapted to be able to sell their products online, which has led to an increase in the use of e-commerce platforms such as Shopify. The e-commerce industry has continuously grown throughout the past decade, and sales are projected to reach $5.1 trillion dollars by the year 2021.

Advances in technology and more specifically, mobile platforms, have led to a major increase in the amount of time people spend online shopping. This has meant the market for e-commerce businesses has gotten much wider. However, the rise in e-commerce means that there is also more competition for businesses, so it is important to stand out in the crowd.

The Importance of Online Presence

Setting the First Impression

Websites and social media accounts give visitors the opportunity to make initial impressions of your business, so it is vital that they gage a positive reaction. Having a website and social media accounts that fit with your business values and brand image is essential in order to have a positive impact on your online audience.

Providing Engaging Content

The content posted on your website and socials is absolutely key. Having fresh and engaging content that provides value to your audience is essential when it comes to standing out. If you can create unique content that lets customers really connect to the business and other people, it will increase the strength and reputation of your online presence. Using influencers on social media platforms has been proven to help build the reputation of businesses and products, along with taking part in viral trends to provide appealing content to your audience.

Building Trust

The importance of building trust within business is well documented. It’s also vitally important for businesses to build trust with their customers. A well-built engaging website is more likely to gain trust from potential customers, and having active social media accounts gives a feeling of authenticity to businesses.

Beneficial for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

We are all aware how much of an impact Google has on our lives. So, it is important that Google and other search engines are able to make your website and socials visible to the largest possible audience. The content published on your website plays a huge role in how your website ranks in terms of SEO, however, web design is also a key factor.

If your website is slow and difficult to read, visitors are more likely to leave. The amount of time that users are spending on a website is a significant factor in terms of SEO rankings, and this is something that can be combatted with good web design.

Standing Out Ahead of Your Competitors

Having an appealing website and an engaging social media presence can make all the difference when a customer is deciding between two businesses to purchase from.

Having a website that is more user friendly and easy to navigate when compared to your competitors, will allow you to rank higher and be more visible to potential customers.

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