Depending on what industry you fall into, promoting your small business online, while essential, is often not your core focus. 

Many entrepreneurs and business owners starting out might not have the sufficient cash flow or time to tackle everything, but this guide will help you get started on the factors which should be non-negotiable to your business efforts, 

1. Your brand. 

Let’s start with a distinct yet essential aspect of your business’s online presence. A strong brand should have a consistent and easily recognisable theme and message. Effectively promoting a company or a product can be challenging, but almost everyone wants to know the story behind a brand they’re interested in engaging with. We advise giving people a reason to get behind your brand and support your vision. The more people believe in your brand, the more likely they’ll be to promote it to their peers, friends and family, and this is invaluable in this age of social media. 

2. Your website. 

Your business website is, more often than not, the main point of reference in all of your marketing strategies. Businesses need to have a website hosting, a dedicated domain name, an email address, a website, social media channels such as Facebook or Instagram and a Linkedin presence. By having a strong digital presence it will allow your business to secure more clients and grow your top line faster. Other businesses opt to work with companies who take their digital presence seriously and who appear to be prosperous and stable. 

3. SEO 

Having your business appear on the first page of Google’s search results can be the deciding factor between a company which thrives and one that’s failing. 

Although results take time, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a practice, or better a science, which can aid in your business to show up more prominently in Google’s search results without directly paying for advertising. 

It is the process of optimising your online content so that search engines show it as a top result for searches of specific keywords. 

4. PPC (Pay-Per-Click) 

Using Google’s Adwords services, you’re able to pay Google to have company information and your website displayed at the top of relevant search results. Moreover, Facebook and Instagram ads are another excellent way for businesses to market their brands using Pay Per Click advertising. 

Facebook marketing can aid your business in being more easily found in search, foster a community around your brand and promote the content you produce. 

5. Email.

Building an email database of your existing and potential customers is still considered to be one of the most lucrative long-term marketing strategies. We advise staying away from generic and vague email subjects such as “Subscribe to our newsletter”. Consider using phrases such as “Join our exclusive VIP List” or “Sign Up To Be Notified About Our Exclusive Deals. These kinds of subject lines will give potential subscribes an idea that they will benefit from in exchange for their subscription to your email newsletters. 

Visit the business pages of our Industry Partners Domains.co.za and Barrk Marketing to access their services or contact information if you, or your business, have any marketing or website hosting requirements.