4 steps to online success for small businesses

Written on 15 April, 2019 by Karen Lam
Categories Domains E-commerce Search Engine Optimisation Small Business Tags brand Bricks & Clicks online business

Give your business the best start online with our easy guide to how small businesses can get ahead.

Whether you’re looking to take your bricks and mortar business online or are starting a new business from scratch, it’s important to give your brand the best possible beginning. An effective online presence gives local businesses global reach by providing potential customers with vital information, assisting with generating business and helping build relationships, but it can be difficult to get it right.

In an effort to empower small businesses with the knowledge they need to thrive online, we recently partnered with Bricks and Clicks, a Channel 7 docuseries hosted by Kochie’s Business Builders. The program featured expert advice from successful entrepreneurs and industry experts alike, the series covered a vast range of topics essential for small business owners, showing them just how much digital can do to help kickstart their brands – and it’s still available to view online.

“If your business hasn’t gone digital in the next five years you’re putting it at risk,” says Kochie. “But many business owners have done nothing about it because they’re scared … It’s probably why 65 per cent of Australian businesses don’t even have a website.”

Almost half of Australians won’t consider a business that doesn’t have an online presence. To help you get your business off the ground, we’ve created an easy-to-follow four-step plan, based on key learnings from the Bricks and Clicks series, to help get your business off the ground.

1. Establish your brand

Before doing anything else, you’ll need to find your online business a suitable home. Begin by finding a domain name and hosting service, as well as setting up a company email. Your first-choice domain name may already be taken, so check what’s available first.

“It all goes back to you, the individual, as the small business owner,” says Kochie. “You set the dynamism of your business … and when it comes to technology, it’s got to be you driving it.”

Your domain name will affect your business’ branding, but it isn’t the only consideration. The type of website you need and its look and feel will have an impact on how customers perceive your brand. A professionally designed website will incorporate branding that goes beyond your logo with a consistent look and feel across images, fonts and colour themes.

2. Build your online presence

According to a 2018 study, 88 per cent of Australians are active internet users, with 15 million on Facebook alone. Connect with these customers by establishing a strong social media presence. Before doing this, you’ll need to create a social media strategy that stays true to your brand identity.

“That’s how I built my brand, just being myself,” explains Irene Falcone, founder of Nourished Life. “I think that’s the best way to go as you can’t really get caught out doing that.”

Just as important as getting ahead on social media is getting ahead on Google. You can do this through search engine optimisation (SEO) – which ensures your customers can find you online quickly and easily. Keywords are the building blocks of SEO as they improve the rankings of unpaid search results delivered to potential customers. You can research which ones are the best for your business by using Google’s Keyword Planner, or conduct an audit of your current SEO strategy and implementation by using our free SEO Health Check tool.

3. Attract your audience

Offering an informative experience for your customers is key to gaining traction on your website, and the best way to do this is through creating insightful content – whether it’s on your website through a blog or via various social channels.

“When we talk about successfully selling online, we talk about how you find customers and how you engage customers – and when we talk about engagement, we’re talking about content,” says Nick Wilson, head of marketing at Netregistry. “Understanding what platforms they use and what social media platforms they’re on really helps find the right people.”

Research the platforms available and discover where your potential customers are spending the most time. Remember that it’s important to focus on key platforms and ensure you’re using them effectively. One or two platforms used really well are better than several used poorly.

“My advice is, start small, but start – and take small steps everyday,” says Life Interiors co-founder Basil Karam. “Once you get the consumers onto your website you need to make sure you’re doing your best to merchandise your product.”

4. Get good advice

Finally, it’s essential to do your research and make sure you’re doing everything to industry best practice standards. Algorithms and platforms change every single day, so this can be confusing for busy business owners looking to build the best digital presence possible.

“While there are many tools on the market that can create a website, knowing how to digitally market your product and use the internet to drive sales is another story,” agrees Kochie.

Make sure you use a reputable provider with experience in your core target market, with a proven track record of helping Australian small businesses start-up successfully. We offer a variety of online marketing and website development services designed to help you thrive while also saving your business time and money.

Get up to speed on the digital front with our handy guide to achieving online success, or call our sales team for more information on 1300 638 734.

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