By: Chad Bell
Once upon a time, a simple website with a logo, company blurb, and contact info was good enough to inform customers about your business. Although these aspects are still essential, modern web users are accustomed to a higher standard. In today’s day and age, there are a few platforms that you can leverage to upgrade your company’s web presence and make your business more accessible to your customers.
BLOG
Blogging is an easy way to update your customers on your company. As information becomes increasingly accessible, consumers are placing greater value on the latest developments. More importantly, they want it in a quick and concise manner. When writing blog articles, make sure that you always have the customer in mind. Write about things that pertain not only to your expertise, but also to their interests. For example, I’m writing this article with the presumption that you want to learn more about optimizing your presence on the web.
Once upon a time, a simple website with a logo, company blurb, and contact info were good enough to inform your customers about your business. Although these aspects are still essential, modern web users are accustomed to a higher standard. In today’s day and age, there are a few platforms that you can leverage to upgrade your company’s web presence and make your business more accessible to your customers.
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Yelp have become staples of human connection. If you are not using these services, then you are missing out on a large audience of potential customers. One of the best ways to enhance your brand recognition is to create a Facebook Fan Page. When a user visits your page, they are presented with the opportunity to promote your brand with a single click of the “Like” button. By becoming a fan, all of their friends will be informed that they have become a fan of your business. Given the power of suggestion, the Fan Page is a great way to make your brand go viral.
Twitter is a great way to keep in contact with your current and potential customers. Remember when I mentioned how blog articles can provide customers with quick updates on your business? Well, Tweeting updates is an even faster way to connect with them. Just keep in mind that Twitter gives you a limit of 140 characters, so you’ll have to get creative. You can engage your followers by offering promotions and discounts, answering quick questions about your products and services, and informing them on upcoming events.
YELP
Yelp is a great tool for consumers to rate and read reviews on small businesses. Users – not owners, determine whether a business appears on Yelp by simply rating and providing some basic information on it. In theory, this “unequal” power distribution is great way to hold companies accountable for providing great products and services. But with periodic allegations of ratings tampering and a questionable review filter system, Yelp has maintained a love hate relationship with the small business community. Whether you love or hate it, the user-review platform is something that you simply cannot and should not ignore. Reading what customers to have to say about their experience with you is a great way to improve the business. And since it’s inevitable that you will receive a few negative comments, keeping a tab on bad reviews lets you know when you should speak your peace with a response. This gives you the opportunity to repair the relationship and continue to deliver great services.
