Check List to Success: How Does Your Business Add-Up?

Having a successful online platform consists of more than just a great website.  

An online platform should provide information, be visually engaging, interact with customers, and enhance productivity.  

Thriving businesses have a successful online platform that works for them!  Business is evolving, check your tech stats to see if you need an upgrade!

✔ Updated & Memorable Website

97% of consumers are searching online for products and/ or services! 

Therefore, if your website is outdated and plain, consumers will think your products and/ or services are outdated and plain. Add creative graphics and a few professional photos to display your updates.

Likewise, if you do not have a website, consumers will wonder if your business is even still open!

✔Professional URL

It might be tempting to save money and use a free URL from a webhost, however, it's not professional and consumers will be confused. Depending on your business, your URL should be listed as a .com, .net, .org, or .edu to increase your businesses credibility.  ​

 ✔Enhanced SEO (Search  Engine Optimization)  Settings on Website

Google, Yahoo, and Bing are the top 3 search engines used by consumers.  These search engines run on complex algorithms and act like libraries.  

When someone types in a keyword/ phrase into the search engine the algorithm populates results based on  what it thinks is relevant and authoritative. 

Lucky for us, we are able to enhance websites to be able to perform better in searches. 

✔Professional Photos

Visuals are the first thing a consumer sees. All photos need to be crystal clear, high-quality, and professionally taken when displayed on your online platform. This goes for your website, print graphics, and social media.  

Visuals are the face of your online platform. 

✔Scalable Logo

Your Logo should be in a format that will allow you to resize the image to virtually any dimension and still look good.  Avoid putting fuzzy logos on any marketing campaigns. It should always appear crisp and professional.  

✔Google Business

Google Business is a must for any company or organization and the best part is, it's free! Google will list your business in a neatly displayed "ad" that shows consumers your location, contact information, hours, and specs.  

Add some professional photos and a description to have an impressive Google impression.  

✔ Email Marketing System

Email marketing is another freebie and it's incredibly effective.  Emails can be automated (again for free!) and you can be creating leads in your sleep!  

MailChimp is a user friendly, free, and popular choice for organizations and business around the world. When creating an email list, abide by the 3 to 1 rule:

3 informational/ educational emails to 1 sales pitch. 

​A quick way to be sent to the trash is by constantly trying to pitch a sale.  Instead, become an educator in your field and send emails that will truly help your customers. This will in turn entice them to buy from you when they need your products and/ or services!

✔ Active Social Media Accounts

Yet another freebie! If you are not utilizing these 3 social media platforms you have to start, today!

1. Facebook Business Page: do not create a separate user account on Facebook for your business because the generic user interface does not give you as many post options as a business page does. If you need help setting up a business page follow Facebook's tutorial here. 
   
   
2. Linkedin: is a great platform for connecting with other business owners near you.  Linkedin is a purely professional social media platform where you can reach out and collaborate with other business owners around you.  
   
   
3. Instagram Business: if your target audience is below 35 years old you need to be on Instagram and sharing pictures at least 3 times a week.  Facebook owns Instagram so you can cross post on the two platforms easily!
   
   Tip: Create a unique hashtag for your business and encourage users to tag your business in posts when they are using your product and/ or services (another free form of advertising! 😉). Friends of friends will be curious as to what your hashtag is and will be drawn to your page and could become new customers!

Facebook = Information 
Linkedin = Connections
​Instagram = Pictures & Tags 

Below are my social media links, let's connect!

✔ Creative Graphics

Graphics and icons bring an edge to your overall design by offering variety.  Look at how Square uses a variety of graphics, images, and icons to spice up their design and professionally draw the consumer's eye to the content.  

✔ Impressive  Business  Cards

Ditch the boring blue and white business cards that everyone is passing out.  Make a statement and start giving out business cards with an engaging design or unique texture to stand-out from the crowd! 

Here are examples of a few unique and memorable cards:

✔ Engaging Blog

I would encourage you to go the extra mile, put in the extra minutes, and create a blog for your business. Blogs position you as an educator in your field and it also lets your audience know that your website and information is up to date.  

For example: If you are a restaurant you could post a "behind the scenes" video of your chefs in action once a month, include a few cooking tips, and a picture of the finished meal. Customers would love the inside peek and might even come try new foods just because it looked so good on the blog!  

How does your business add up?  

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Author

Jessica Jones, Owner & Lead Designer of Digital Entrance

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​97% of consumers search for businesses online and if there is not website to preview the product and/ or service then the consumer will find business elsewhere.  

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