Does your business have an online marketing strategy? Don’t be ashamed if the answer is no, but take it as a sign that you really should have one. Research says that 90% of Americans own a tech gadget such as a cell phone, computer, laptop, tablet, or e-reader. This is an important statistic that all businesses, small and large, should take into account when developing marketing strategies in a largely digital world. Says Bright Park, a strategic manager at Google, “four out of five consumers go online and research products before they go and buy them,” which means that having a credible and active presence online is more important than ever.

By ‘online presence,’ we’re talking about an official website for your company as well as the dreaded social media accounts. Let’s start with the website. The website should be eye-catching yet professional and readable, allowing visitors to get a snapshot picture of what your company is about and what kinds of products and services you offer. Do go into detail, but do not ramble on excessively. This is why you should make your contact information available on every page of your website, so your prospective consumers can call you with questions, and you can offer them additional details and selling points in a more direct and personalized manner.

In terms of social media, I recommend having at the bare minimum an established presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. By ‘established presence,’ I mean an informative ‘About’ page that gives a snapshot overview of your company and products/services, as well as an active timeline of recent statuses and media that show the account is used on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean you need to tell your Facebook friends what you eat for breakfast every day, but it should tell your audience what strides your company is making to improve the product or service you provide.  Be personable on your social media accounts, and let your audience know you are an actual human, not just a programmed spambot. Also, don’t forget the valuable advice of using your social media pages to respond to fan questions and involve or re-promote the efforts of your company’s like-minded businesses. You can also use social media to market your trade show booth at an upcoming event.

Want more tips about how to set up or maintain your company’s online presence? Vonazon is here to help with any of these aspects, and more! Contact Kevin England for more information at kevin.england@vonazon.com