8 Online Presence Updates Every Small Business Can Take
If you're a small business owner who knows they need to take charge of their online presence, figuring out where to start can be daunting. You need a website revamp; your business needs to rank better on Google; your younger interns suggest you start posting on TikTok. It's enough to make anyone's head spin – but before you begin spiraling, consider breaking down these tasks.
Let's tackle eight online presence updates every small business can take to improve its operations online.
Clean Up Google Business Profile & Other Business Listings
While SEO and rankings have evolved drastically over the last few years, the foundations of how customers find your business through a search engine are still vital. Google Business Profiles are straightforward, so long as they are set up well in the first place.
A common issue for small businesses is changing addresses and having multiple listings. It's essential to clear these up and give your customers the correct information. For most users, your Google Business Profile is the first impression of your organization; you want to ensure it's in line with your branding and messaging.
Ensure Consistent Contact Information (NAP)
Have you ever looked up a business online only to see that it has different phone numbers on its website and social media? Or are the hours of operation different on its Google listing than on its website? These minor inconsistencies can cause prospective customers to become frustrated and choose a competitor.
Small business owners can audit all of their contact information and hours of operation at each place they are online. Start with your website, Google, and social media, and then start researching where else your information may be listed. Online directories, other search engines, and review sites also hold this information.
If you're wondering what to concentrate on, just think NAP: Name, address, and phone number.
Update Online Images
Many humans are visual people. When customers search for your business online or visit the website, they will likely respond better to updated, high-quality pictures rather than outdated ones. Updated photos are essential for a Google Business Profile so that customers can see what the outside of the building looks like and know where it is.
If your company doesn't have a photographer on your team, consider working with a professional. While many of the updates in this blog will be low-cost or even free, this is one update that is worth the investment. Additionally, while using stock images may seem more effortless in the moment, it is best to use them sparingly; search engines and potential customers alike will begin to take notice.
Social Media Foundations
Social media can seem overwhelming with so many platforms and the ins and outs of each one. Some small businesses may feel they need the right image or sufficient knowledge to have active accounts on social media. Today's reality is that your company has probably been mentioned on social media whether or not you saw it, so it's worth having (at the very least) control over your presence.
Build out accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or whichever platforms are most relevant to your business. Starting small is better than not at all. Your team can follow similar accounts, post every week, if not more frequently, and monitor comments and engagement. Each social media platform has many training videos, either within the app or through a third party, to help newcomers learn the ropes.
It's the consistency of posting and the effort that counts. Think about your customer journey: Are you more likely to do business with someone who posts weekly or who hasn't posted in over a year?
Check Socials for Spam
While building social media accounts for your small business, it's vital to stay vigilant for spam messages and accounts. When unknown accounts tag your company and dozens of others in a post or group message, it's likely spam. You'll also want to check who your followers are and watch out for any questionable accounts. Getting followers is great, but you want real, genuine accounts.
As a side note, if a random account tags or messages you about your page being taken down due to a violation, it is spam.
Check Reviews for Spam
In addition to spam on social media, some people will spam your online reviews. Google can serve as a mediator and filter out many spammy reviews, but they may only catch some. You should look for reviews written about something else entirely (often cryptocurrency or investing) or false narratives from someone you have no record of as a customer. Then, you can flag and report these reviews.
This can also apply when a review personally attacks an individual or uses profane language. In most cases, Google will remove the review if you report it.
Compile Website Info
Your website is your online storefront; just like a physical store, you'll want all the address details. Business owners should know where their website is registered and hosted, have access to their DNS records, and who (if anyone) is managing IT issues. If any of this sounds unfamiliar, then it's time to compile this info to ensure your website is safe, secure, and ready to be revamped.
Cybersecurity Training
We've covered cybersecurity on our blog before, but it's always worth another look. Small businesses are frequent victims of cyber attacks and scams. One of the best choices you can make for your business and employees is investing in a training program to help the team identify security threats and email/phone scams.
Work With Cole-Dalton Marketing Services
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