6 Tips on How to Boost your Online Presence on a Budget
So you’ve done all the hard work of setting up your awesome dive business but for some reason you’re not getting the response you were expecting.
No one seem to care that you’ve put in months of work to get your dive shop up and running. You feel frustrated that no one seems to notice that your new eco-resort is actually one of the best on your island.
I hate to break it to you, but just because you built it, it does not mean they will come.
No matter how great your product or service is, people will only know of your absolute awesomeness until you actually tell them and get them to experience it for themselves.
If no one seems to care about your business, ask your self if you cared enough to tell them about it in the first place.
There are over 7.77 billion people in the world. Surely there is someone out there who is looking for what you offer. And if you’re wondering where to find them, well most likely they will be online.
More than 4.57 billion people uses the internet in their day to day life. And if you have not taken your business online then you are absolutely missing out.
Your online presence can bring your offline dive business success. And it doesn’t have to cost you an entire arm and a leg!
So here are 6 budget-friendly marketing strategies you can do to boost your presence online.
A- Actively Advertise
Decades ago, advertising meant paying thousands and even millions of pesos just to get your business on television, radio or print.
The internet has completely re-defined advertising. Now you can use websites, videos, photos, podcasts, blogs, apps, online directories, influencers, and many more innovative forms of advertising to boost your online presence.
There are so many creative ways you can tell people about your brand without spending so much! And if you really don’t have a budget at all, you can easily “DM” (direct message) a friend and tell them about your business. That is still advertising.
So go online and start actively advertising what exactly you’re good at and how you can help them.
B- Build Your Website
“In 2018, 6 out of every 10 small business did not have a website for their business. 35% of small business owners feel that their business is too small for a website.”- Hubspot
If you are among these businesses who don’t own a website then you should quickly remedy that.
A website is one of the best marketing tools you can have. This is your brochure, calling card, portfolio, resume rolled into one. And it doesn’t have to stop there because you can also use it to sell your products and services.
If you’re already online and you’re relying heavily on Facebook or Instagram to sell your products, this is not a good long strategy. At any given time, you could get banned or get deleted from these platforms. And the followers you have worked hard to get can easily be taken away from you.
Websites on the other hand are yours as long as you keep paying for the domain and hosting services. Setting up a website doesn’t have to be expensive. And nowadays there are so many services that make it easy to build your own website.
C- Claim Your Brand Online
Did you know that you can actually advertise for free in local directories?
Directories display your Name, Address, Phone Number also known as NAP and these are very important information for web searches and can easily boost your online presence. One popular and free one you constantly use is Google Maps.
According to consumer behavior research, 78% of location-based mobile searches result in an online purchase. So if you own a business and location is a crucial deciding factor for your market, then you better make sure that you are listing your NAP in all relevant directories out there.
Inconsistencies in your NAP is also bad for your business. You could potentially lose a sale if your client calls an inactive number or you’re listings show a wrong address. Don’t make them lose confidence in doing business with you because your information online was not updated.
Surprisingly, despite the huge benefits of claiming your business listings, a lot of small business do not use it to their advantage. Even if it is FREE!
If you are not searchable online but your competitor is, then stop wondering why you are not getting any customers.
D- Do Ask for Reviews
If you have finally managed to get a client, make it a practice to ask for feedback when the transaction has been completed. Reach out to them and ask your customers to leave you one on your online profiles.
Reviews help build your reputation in your industry. If you’ve been doing your job well your clients will be happy to give you one for free.
Testimonials are highly effective in convincing potential clients to avail of your products or services. When they see that someone was satisfied and happy with you, it makes them trust you even more.
Some people actually get scared of asking for reviews because they’re scared to receive a negative one. But if you don’t ask you’ll also miss out on the good ones that would help propel your business forward.
In the instance that you do get a bad one, then be thankful for the feedback. In business, you cannot always please every one. However, consumer insight is valuable in making future experiences better.
So just ask because they are free.
E- Engage in Social Media
Another awesome invention of this generation are social media apps. If your business is still not on social media, remember to claim your brand’s username handles as soon as possible. Start using it to reach your audience. Social media is a great tool for letting your customers know who you are and what you do.
Find out where your ideal clients love hanging out online. Are they in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, Google+. Once you’ve narrowed it down, actively participate by posting, following, leaving comments, liking other people’s posts.
Social media users in the Philippines are the most active, averaging three hours and 53 minutes on social every day. -We Are Social
The whole point of social media is to really interact with people who are on it. If you are wondering why it is not bringing in traffic to your website or not giving your business leads, then most likely you are not using it the right way.
F- Follow up with Emails
According to marketing experts, email is still on of the best ways to reach customers. When you do build your own website, include ways that will help you build your mailing list.
For instance, using a popup form with offers of exclusive tips and discount coupon codes is one of the common ways to get people to subscribe to your email list.
Once they’re part of your email list, use it to create a relationship with your customer. Try to email them regularly but not to the point that it becomes spammy. Always provide context and value as to why you are emailing them. And of course make it personalized.
Instead of trying to find new people to try your service, check your current mailing list. Your previous customers might actually be interested in your new offers and services. Take advantage of this captured market. Because they’ve already tried your business (and assuming they like it), they are more likely to become a repeat customer.
Your email list is one of your valuable business assets so use it. And, technically it’s free!
Boosting your online presence should be done especially by those who want to grow their business. Even if you’re a freelancer, solo-preneur or a small business, you can start doing these 6 highly effective tips to market yourself online without having to spend so much.
Which of these are you currently doing and what has worked for you? Which one are you looking forward to trying? Leave a comment below!
