If you don't have millions to spend this is the blog for you.
I'm going to give you 5 simple ways to grow your business online.
It doesn't matter what kind of business you have, you should have a presence online. Why? Because everyone's eyes are on their phones constantly absorbing things online.
Let's get to it:
1. Have a website and make it mobile-friendly.
When people are looking for things now, they want to browse your website and the majority are doing it on their mobiles now, so you need to make sure your website is mobile-friendly. If you're not sure if your website is mobile-friendly or what it even means grab your phone and open your website now. Have a look at your website, Can you read all the information without scrolling side to side, can you easily navigate from page to page, does everything load correctly, and is it readable? If you've built your own website it usually comes with a toggle option for desktop/mobile view so you can make adjustments.
(There are other ways to optimise your website for mobiles but these are some great starting places)
2. Level up your Social Media and create a brand.
People by from people and your brand should emulate your vision and mission. Just showing up and promoting isn't enough anymore to stand out. Your business needs to have a voice and this want's to be consistent across all your marketing channels. Marketing moves fast, you don't need to hop onto every trend but you do need to keep moving in the direction marketing is moving, and right now that has an emphasis on more video content.
(A great way to give your business a voice is to have a brand strategy session with someone, branding is more than just a logo, it's how your business presents itself, the way it speaks in its content, and the way it shows up).
3. Build out your marketing to increase reach.
Once you've nailed your Social media it's time to diversify your marketing to reach more of your target audience. The first place I would start is by asking where are my ideal clients hanging out, what are they doing and how can I get in front of them. This will help you figure out what your next step is, it could be starting on a new social media platform, starting a blog, optimising your SEO, paid ads, or traditional marketing (Whilst an outdated method I read every leaflet that comes through my door these days because It's rare. A great tip, if you are going to use this method, is to attach a QR code so they can easily find and support you online).
4. Understand your Analytics!
You need to know what's going on with your online marketing efforts. The only way to know what is working is by monitoring what you are currently doing every single month. If you're new to tracking metrics I have a really easy-to-use Google Sheet that you can purchase for £5 Here!
It's not just about putting numbers in a spreadsheet and moving on. You need to spend time understanding your metrics and what they are telling you. Are your numbers growing, staying stagnant, or declining (declining doesn't always mean bad, you could be weeding out an audience that isn't interested in your product/service leaving a bunch of ideal customers behind).
5. Last but not least, establish partnerships!
Don't automatically jump to paid partnerships with creators/influencers. Yes, this is one way you can grow your business online but it can also be costly.
An alternative for you to consider is collaborating. Ask yourself, is there another business that compliments your business? (For example; I am a Business Consultant I could collaborate with a Web Designer to deliver training, masterclasses, or even set up a two-way referral with them. If you're a hairdresser could you team up with a beautician, a landscaper with a furniture company, etc.)
Referrals/collaborations are a great way to boost the income of both parties involved AND if they have an excellent online presence it's a great way to piggyback on their success and customer base. You can essentially double/triple your reach with minimal effort!
Don't be afraid to think outside the box with this one!
And there you have it, 5 simple ways to grow your business online regardless of the type of business you are in.