Why is it Important to Bring Small Businesses Online for More Extensive Growth?
The pandemic has accelerated a rapid online digital shift for all businesses- big and small. Businesses that were once conducted face to face, are now being conducted behind computer screens. According to a survey conducted by Facebook and Deloitte, 84% of small business owners have faced maximum impact due to lockdown rules. These small business were, therefore, forced to start using or increase the use of digital tools to interact with consumers and keep their business flourishing.
Establishing your small business presence online is more than just setting up a website. It means setting up a complete virtual version of the small business, along with a mobile application, and social media accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. for maximum business exposure.These online tools will help small businesses drive more sales via e-commerce, reach customers globally, conduct meetings virtually, run marketing campaigns and conduct online monetary transactions.
As a small business, it is necessary to understand the importance of having an online presence. This article will guide you through some important points to keep in mind while making this “online migration”, as well as outline the advantages of doing the same.
Important Pointers to Keep in Mind while Migrating Online
#1 Website and Application Design
Your website or app will serve the purpose of a “virtual store” where visitors can easily locate what they are looking for. It is also an opportunity to establish your brand’s presence by providing a good experience to your consumers. Good use of images and informative content can represent the company’s products and/or services. Use of chatbots and virtual assistants to resolve consumer queries, is a plus. Consumers also know that they can shop anytime, and from anywhere when your business goes virtual. Apart from that, they can even talk to a customer service representative whenever the need arises.
To ensure your website/app always is listed on a search engine, optimise it by embedding important keywords- in your content- that best describes your product/ service.
#2 Social Media Marketing
What better time to market your products and services than now, when almost everyone is connected to their phones with so much time to kill!
Engage with your audience and increase your online presence by interacting and networking through different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. You can use these portals to post quick updates about sales, reply to consumer comments, showcase your products and even gain customer feedback!
Post articles on informative subjects that link back to your products to draw in more traffic.
#3 Track your Web Analytics
As a small business, you should always be aware of analytics that can give you insights into your audience base and their purchasing patterns. Tools like Google Analytics are free and easy to use, and will provide you with data related to website visits, products searched, top keywords looked for, consumer demographics etc. These analytics will help you make informed business decisions.
Benefits of Bringing a Small Business Online
Now let’s take a look at why it is important to bring small businesses online.
#1 Wider Customer Base
An online store gives small businesses the opportunity to connect with customers all over the globe, 24*7, 365 days of the year. This is a huge upgrade from the limited number of customers that can fit inside a physical store! E-commerce will help the business stock up on products from a vast range of vendors- and even help consumers explore more options that an in-store catalogue.
#2 Community Engagement
An online presence enables small businesses to leverage the power of various social media platforms and engage with potential customers. Apart from using these platforms for advertising, your business can directly communicate with potential consumers, thereby increasing the “personalization” factor that consumers often expect from a business. Engaging with the community will ensure that they are always reminded of your products and services while making a purchase.
#3 Accessible Content
Taking your small business online means creating a “24-hour virtual showroom” that allows potential customers to read about and explore your product or service any time and anywhere. A 24-hour order placement is a convenient way to shop rather than having to wait for the physical store to open. Additionally, they can read up the extra product related information that can be appended against every product in a catalogue- compare products at their own time and make an informed decision. This is not so feasible in a physical store. Customers can view your product portfolio to customer testimonials, everyone can view what you have to offer.
#4 Create Efficient Workstreams
Online digital tools (eg: Google suite, zoom meetings, microsoft suite) introduces efficiency in internal business operations. Your employees can work productively, in collaboration and manage their tasks well- thanks to the numerous tools that automate almost every task one can think off!
#5 Building a Brand
Providing an online presence not only gives a customer access to your products/services, but it also provides a medium for the customer to “research” about your company through online reviews. They can check out your company’s values and policies and get to know more about the workings of your business. This helps in establishing an emotional connection with the consumer- thereby leading to long term conversions.
Final Thoughts
It comes as no surprise that the pandemic has left businesses grappling with its impact. Establishing a small business presence online is almost as if they have to completely reinvent themselves- this can appear as a daunting task.
FargoWiz Ltd. is well known for its many services that are dedicated towards assisting small businesses to establish a strong online presence. Our seasoned professionals are trained to empower clients to make the right decision to grow their business and reach newer heights.
For more information, send us an email at contact@fargowiz.com or request the below quotation form.
