Are you a small business owner on the fence about creating an online presence?
You’re not alone. Many small businesses feel like they don’t need to be online, but that’s no longer the case.
Small businesses have been around for many years, and most of them have yet to establish an online presence. While this may have been okay a decade ago, it’s no longer a viable option in today’s digital age. In fact, not having an online presence can hurt your business.
This blog post will discuss how small businesses can increase value with an online presence and how to start making your business available to online customers.
Let’s start with a basic understanding of online presence.
What is online presence for your business?
Online presence is all your digital footprints put together. Your website, social media accounts, public comments on the posts, and even likes and retweets account for your online presence. Simply put, your time and activities on the internet are your online presence.
Having a solid online presence is essential for several reasons. First, it helps people find you online. Second, it helps build your credibility and reputation. And third, it enables you to connect with others in your industry or field.
Why do you need online presence to grow your business?
With more and more consumers turning to the internet to find the product or services, it has become imperative for businesses to maintain their online presence while staying competitive in traditional and modern business approaches.
According to a Salesforce poll, 85% of consumers research before making an online purchase, with websites (74%) and social media being the most popular research platforms (38% ). As a result, to grow and improve brand awareness, businesses must have an efficient online strategy.
In 2019, there was an estimated 1.92 billion digital buyers, with eCommerce sales accounting for 14.1% of all retail sales worldwide. Given the rapid growth of online buying, the following data should be no surprise in the post-pandemic world. E-Commerce retail sales are now predicted to increase from 14.1 percent to 22 percent by 2023.
Same way, home improvement services are now more and more researched and ordered online. That being the primary reason, you would require a strong online presence if you want your customers to find you online and order home services from your company.
Having online visibility for your home improvement business service lets you connect with customers more profoundly, fostering loyalty and long-term relationships. Online resources such as FAQs and support forums can help customers find their answers without contacting your company directly. This can improve customer satisfaction and reduce support costs.
Your home improvement business can be benefitted by having a website and social media accounts can help you find your consumers online, improve customer service, attract new business, and boost sales.
The question remains. How to build an online presence?
Here are not just 1 or 2 but 8 simple, actionable and effective ways to build an online presence for your home service business.
8 Effective Ways for Small Businesses to Increase Value with Online Presence
Create a Website and establish it as a Marketing Hub
A website is a collection of online content accessible via the Internet. It can include anything from text and images to videos and audio files. A website is typically hosted on a server connected to the Internet.
Additionally, websites can provide a great deal of information about a business, including contact information, hours of operation, and even reviews from past customers.
For small home service businesses, the cost of building a website can seem to be too much but the return on investment is worth it. You can build a website yourself! You don’t need to be a tech expert or hire someone to do it for you. Plenty of website builders and DIY platforms make it easy for anyone to create a beautiful, professional website. Consider these things when building a website.
If you have a team of people helping you run your website, the time required for management will be divided. In this case, you may only need to spend an hour or two each week on website management. But if you are working solely, it is possible to manage a website by working on it 4-5 hours a week.
Here’s the beginners’ guide to building your own website step by step.
But before building your own website, there are a few things you should consider about building websites.
By providing easy access to your business information, you can make it easier for potential customers to learn about your business home improvement service business and what you have to offer.
A well-designed website can also help establish your credibility as a business leader, improving people’s likelihood of doing with you. In short, a website can play an essential role in helping you grow your small business.
Additionally, websites can provide a great deal of information about a business, including contact information, hours of operation, and even reviews from past customers.
Social Media Based On Audience Presence
As a small business owner, you may be wondering whether social media is worth your time and effort. After all, it can be tough to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.
However, social media can be a powerful tool for growing your business. It can help you connect with new and potential customers, build relationships, and boost your visibility online.
Social media is a platform where users can create and share content. This can be in the form of text posts, images, videos, and more. Over three billion people worldwide use social media, which will only grow. Social networking sites can help home improvement service businesses by providing a platform to showcase their work, connect with potential customers, and build trust and credibility.
Though some offer paid advertising options, most social media platforms are free to use and you can manage your business social media accounts yourself. However, it is time-consuming, and it may be beneficial to hire someone to help you.
Small businesses’ most popular social media platforms are Tiktok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Here you can find The Easy Guide to Social Media for Small Business
But before you decide that you have social media account and the engagement is great, give it a thought, ‘Is social media presence enough for home improvement businesses?’.
Home Improvement Business Listing
If you’re running a home improvement service business, there’s a good chance you’re already listed in some online directories.
Business listing directories are websites that allow businesses to create listings for themselves. These listings usually include the business name, contact information, and a brief description of the services offered. Some directories are general and list businesses from all industries, while others are specific to the home improvement industry. There are also paid and free versions of these directories.
The main benefit of being listed in a directory is that it helps improve your visibility online. When potential customers search for businesses like yours in their area, your listing will appear in the search results. This can help you attract new customers and grow your business.
Directories also make it easier for customers to find your contact information and learn more about your services. Many directories allow customers to leave reviews, giving valuable feedback about your business.
If you’re not already listed in a directory, decide which directories are right for your business. There are many different options, so it’s essential to choose ones that will reach your target audience.
Next, create a listing for your business on each directory. Include accurate and up-to-date information, such as your business name, address, phone number, and website. You should also write a brief description of your services to help customers understand what you offer.
Finally, make sure you monitor your listings regularly. This way, you can ensure that your information is accurate and up-to-date. You should also respond to any customer reviews or questions left on your listing.
You can get the most out of business listing directories and attract new customers to your home improvement service business by following these steps.
Some of the most popular business listing platforms for home improvement businesses include Google My Business, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack, and Yelp.
These platforms all have different features and pricing structures, so it’s important to compare them before deciding which one is right for your business.
How to Manage Listings and Reviews for Your Home Services Business
The cost of listing home improvement businesses on online directories can vary depending on the directory. Some directories, like Angie’s List, charge a monthly fee for companies to list their services. Others, like HomeAdvisor, charge businesses per lead. The average cost per lead on HomeAdvisor is $33.
While there is a cost associated with the listing, it is often worth it for the increased visibility and credibility of being listed on a reputable platform.
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating your listing:
- Make sure all the information is accurate. If potential customers can’t find your business or the information is incorrect, they may move on to a competitor.
- Use keyword-rich descriptions to help potential customers find your listing more easily.
- Add photos or videos to make your listing more visually appealing.
- Include links to your website and social media pages so potential customers can learn more about your business.
Creating a listing for your business can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Search Engines
A search engine is a software system designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. The three most significant and most well-known search engines are Google, Yahoo!, and Microsoft Bing. Having a website optimized for the search engine is crucial for any business.
Businesses aiming to boost their web visibility and generate website leads may accomplish so with the help of a well-developed search engine optimization campaign, according to a new Fleishman-Hillard report. According to the corporation, 89% of consumers use Google, Bing, or another search engine to research products, services, or businesses before making a purchase.
Most business owners are unaware of the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) and how it can benefit their business. By optimizing your website for the search engines, you can improve your website’s visibility and drive more traffic to your site.
Search engines crawl the web, index websites, and match keyword searches with relevant websites. When you type a keyword into a search engine, it looks through its index of websites to find the most relevant ones to your search.
Search engine ranking is important for businesses because it determines how visible your website is in the search results. The higher your ranking, the more likely people will find your website.
Google’s First Page Ranking Guaranteed in 7 Steps (Beginner’s Guide)
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is optimizing a website for better visibility and higher rankings in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
This can be done by optimizing website content, structure, and on-page elements like titles, meta tags, and anchor text.
It is possible to optimize your website for search engines yourself. However, it can be a time-consuming and challenging process. It is also important to keep in mind that search engines’ algorithms are constantly changing, so what works today might not work tomorrow. Many businesses hire an SEO agency or consultant to handle their optimization efforts.
The cost of SEO services varies depending on the scope and size of the project. However, many small businesses can expect to spend around $500-$2000 per month on SEO services.
Here are some SEO tips you can do yourself.
- Enhance the speed with which your page loads
- Produce superior content and optimize your links
- Mobile-friendly optimization of your website
- Format your page properly.
- Encourage social media sharing.
- Utilize proper keywords
- Create URLs that are concise, focused, and optimal
- Make your name known
- Establish a Google Business account
- By utilizing tools, you can exceed content marketing.
Content Marketing
If you want to increase your online presence, content marketing is a web presence strategy you should be working on.
By creating and sharing high-quality content, you can attract new customers and generate leads. Businesses can reach a larger audience and get potential customers interested in their offerings by creating relevant and engaging content.
Content marketing can also help businesses build trust and credibility with their target audience. By providing helpful and informative content, businesses can establish themselves as experts in their field and gain the confidence of potential customers.
You can boost search engine rankings by creating keyword-rich content, businesses can improve their chances of being found by potential customers searching for what you offer online.
You can create many different types of content, such as blog posts, articles, infographics, videos, and more. The key is to experiment and find what works best for your business and your audience. By providing helpful, informative content, companies can establish themselves as experts in their field and earn the trust of those looking for home improvement services.
Whichever type of content you choose to produce, make sure that it is of high quality and value to your audience.
Content marketing ideas for home improvement businesses
Content marketing can be tricky because it requires you to create new and engaging content constantly. However, the effort is worth it because content marketing is an excellent way to attract new customers and grow your business.
Small Businesses Can Benefit From Paid Ads
One of the most efficient ways to market your business online is to use paid ads to improve your online visibility.
Paid advertising is a form of marketing where businesses pay to have their ads placed on platforms like Google, Facebook, or Instagram. PPC stands for pay-per-click, which means that businesses only pay when someone clicks on their ad. PPC ads usually appear at the top of search results pages, and they can be a great way to get your business in front of potential customers.
Paid ads can be an effective way to reach a larger audience. By placing your ad on popular websites or search engines, you can increase potential customers’ chances to see your ad. You can also target these ads to specific audiences, which can help you reach potential customers who are more likely to be interested in your product or service.
Additionally, paid ads can be an efficient way to build brand awareness and drive traffic to your website or blog.
The paid advertisement works by businesses bidding on keywords relevant to their products or services. The platforms then show the ads to users who are likely to be interested in them.
Paid search advertising allows businesses to place ads on search engine results pages (SERPs) to reach potential customers searching for relevant keywords.
Social media advertising is another popular form of paid advertising, and it allows businesses to place ads on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Video-sharing websites like YouTube and Tiktok offer a third popular paid media channel for advertisers. Businesses can create video ads to reach potential customers by watching videos related to their products or services.
When deciding if the paid advertisement is worth the investment, you should carefully consider your goals and objectives. You should also research your target audience to ensure that the ad will reach the right people. You should develop a realistic budget that considers the cost of the ad and the potential return on investment.
Online Reputation Management
Online reputation management (ORM) is a critical component of any successful online marketing campaign. It monitors and shapes online customer perceptions of a business. In today’s digital age, ORM has become an essential part of managing a company’s public image and protecting its brand equity.
It helps businesses protect their brand’s visibility and maintain a positive image online. ORM involves tracking and managing the online content about your industry and taking steps to suppress or remove negative content.
There are several ways to manage your online reputation, including using search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to push down harmful content in search results, creating positive content to drown out negative information, and using social media monitoring tools to keep track of what people are saying about your business.
Home improvement business marketing strategy is all about presenting your online presence and brand visibility of your business positively for your potential customers even to consider using your services.
While large businesses have long been aware of the importance of ORM, it is only in recent years that small businesses have begun to realize the potential impact of online customer reviews and social media comments on their bottom line.
A recent study by Harvard Business School found that a one-star rating increase on Yelp can lead to a 5-9% increase in revenue.
A study by PwC found that 84% of respondents said they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
ORM can also help you manage crises by monitoring and responding to negative customer feedback. By quickly addressing any issues that arise, you can prevent them from spiraling out of control and damaging your business’s reputation. It can give you a competitive edge by helping you improve your online visibility and credibility.
In the home service industry, customers have a lot of choices, so it’s essential to make sure they can find you and that your online reputation is vital.
While some online reputation management tools and software can be pretty costly, there are also many ways to get started with online reputation management for your home service business without spending a lot of money. Many of the most effective online reputation management tools are affordable or accessible.
Here are a few of the most efficient online reputation management tools for home improvement businesses:
Google Alerts
This free tool from Google can track mentions of your business across the web, including on social media, news websites, and forums. Simply create a free account and set up alerts for your business name and other relevant keywords.
Social Media Monitoring
Another free way to track your online reputation is simply setting up Google Alerts for your business name and relevant keywords, focusing on social media websites. This will allow you to see what people say about your business on Twitter, Facebook, and Yelp.
Review Sites
Several review sites can be used to track your online reputation, such as Google Reviews, Yelp, Angie’s List, and Home Advisor. These sites can be a great way to get feedback from customers and ensure that your business provides quality services.
Customer Feedback Forms
Another great way to track your online reputation is simply asking your customers for their feedback. This can be done through customer feedback forms, surveys, or asking customers for their thoughts after completing a job.
Online Reputation Management Services
Finally, several online reputation management services can be used to help you track and improve your online reputation. These services typically offer a variety of tools, such as social media monitoring, review site management, and customer feedback forms. They can also help you respond to negative reviews and build up positive reviews.
Developing Relationship With Customers
The customer relationship is the most crucial aspect of an online presence. It’s what drives customers to your site, and it’s what keeps them coming back.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer great opportunities for home improvement businesses to connect with their customers. By regularly posting updates and engaging with customers on these platforms, you can build strong relationships with their customers.
In addition to social media, you, as a home improvement business owner, can also use email marketing to stay in touch with your customers in addition to social media. By sending out regular newsletters or promotional offers, you can keep your customers informed about new products and services. Email marketing can also cultivate loyalty among customers by offering special discounts or rewards for those who subscribe to a mailing list.
You ought to also consider creating a blog. A blog is an excellent way to share valuable information with customers, such as tips for home improvement projects or news about new products. By providing helpful content, you can boost the trust and credibility of customers.
Using different online media to connect with customers can develop strong relationships that lead to repeat business. By regularly posting updates and engaging with customers, you can create a loyal customer base that will keep coming back for more.
A strong customer relationship must be built on trust. Customers need to trust that you’ll deliver on your promises and be committed to their satisfaction. To build trust, start by being transparent. Be clear about who you are, what you do, and your goals. Then, be consistent in your actions and communication. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. And if you make a mistake, own up to it and make things right.
Finally, always put the customer first. Their needs should always be your top priority. By providing an exceptional customer experience, you’ll not only build trust, but you’ll also create loyal customers who will keep coming back for more.
A Quick Summary Checklist
We have provided you with a complete guide on optimizing your business’s online presence in this post. However, you don’t have to go through them all at once.
Here’s the quick summary checklist to help you boost traffic, create brand awareness, and increase sales from your online presence.
- You need a well-performing Search Engine Optimized website.
- To boost your online presence, you will require to have active social media accounts of your businesses, with each platform posting exciting and engaging content.
- Be that with blogs on your websites or engaging posts, videos, or pictures, you should be able to market the content to boost customer interest which eventually generates sales.
- You will also require to invest some money in paid ads like google ads, Facebook ads, etc., on other advertising platforms where the highest population of your potential customers are.
- You will have to manage your business’s online reputation. You have to boost positive reviews, services, and feedback; you also have to suppress, deal and own up to the negative comments and experiences of the customers.
- You will invest in good customer service. When you have happy repetitive customers with the least effort, you can get high ROI and word-of-mouth marketing for free.
Final thought
Home improvement service businesses can benefit significantly from having an online presence. By taking advantage of the eight tips we’ve outlined in this blog post, you can increase your business value and attract more customers.
These tips will help you get started on the right foot, but remember that online marketing is an ever-evolving beast. What works today may not work tomorrow, so test and tweak your campaigns to find what works best for your business.