Recent research shows that nearly all online consumers — 97% — use online media when researching products and services, even if the purchase is made offline.
1) If you have a website:
Take a fresh look. Imagine you are a potential customer visiting the site for the first time. Can you do all the following, easily?
1. Find your store location
2. Find hours of operation
3. Find the telephone number
4. Find an email address
5. Learn about products and services Find special offers and promotions
6. Is there any other information that you want to share on your site?
2) If you need a website:
You want a website that you’re proud of and excited to share with customers.
Google, in partnership with Intuit, is offering free websites to small businesses through the Get Your Business Online program. The offer includes a free domain name and web hosting for one year.
Visit:www.gybo.com
Select your state to get started. You can create and publish a site in about an hour.
3) Promote your site:
List three offline ways you can help people find you online.
4) Explore Google’s products for businesses
Google AdWords: www.google.com/adwords
AdWords Express: www.google.com/awexpress
Google+ for Business: www.google.com/+/business
Create your website and make it look good
Always keep your customers in mind! Your website is for them, first and foremost, so don’t lose sight of their needs in your quest to achieve your own business goals.
1) Decide: what is the primary focus of your new website?
(e.g. Selling products online, helping people find your store, providing information about products and services, etc.)
2) Find a name for your website: “.com” “.net” “.biz” “.org” “.info”
You will need to register a domain name for your new site. This is your URL. Try to find a name that uses words that describe your business. Keep it short and sweet! Your first choice may be unavailable.
3) Checklist: gather content for your website:
1. Company logo
2. High quality photos showcasing your products and services Welcome text for homepage
3. “About Us” text
4. Contact information
5. Descriptions of products and services
6. Customer testimonials
7. Links to social networks like Google+ for Business
4) Make a plan for website updates:
Who is responsible for website updates?
What sections will be updated?
How often will updates be made?
Build a community of loyal fans
An online community is a group of people with a common interest who visit a particular website. Your community wants to hear from you, and they will introduce others to your website, products and services.
1) Decide: what is your passion? What is the focus of this online community?
2) Decide: what content will you publish?
I am comfortable:
Writing a blog
Taking photos and publishing them on my site
Creating videos and featuring them on my site
Moderating an online forum
Creating an email newsletter
Add new content frequently, to give people a reason to return.
My goal: I will update my website:
People will return because:
I publish new coupons
I offer a monthly giveaway
My blog is hilarious
My videos offer helpful information
3) Evaluate what you’ve got
Your goal is to make the website easy to use, and compelling so visitors come back!
Is my website easy to navigate and use?
Is my content interesting for my audience? Ask for other opinions.
4) Promote yourself
Once your website is ready, tell people about it.
Signs in your store
Signs on company vehicles
Business cards, estimates and invoices
Participate in related online forums, like Google Groups: groups.google.com. Read blogs and publish comments on articles you like.
Connect with people via social networking sites like Google+ for Business.
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