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Ensuring you have a good online presence will not only make it easier for potential customers to find you, but it will also help you build credibility, trust, and growth for your brand. If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your online presence, you’re in the right place. Here are four actionable strategies you can apply today to help your business stand out online.
1. Use Social Media Effectively
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have millions of active users on them, allowing you to put your brand in the faces of millions easily and at even cheaper costs. For instance, Facebook has more than 49 million Nigerian users on it. What this means is that Facebook has about 7 times more people than Kano state or even Lagos state, the two most populous states, have. You therefore can reach more people on social media faster and cheaper than you can putting up a billboard in every street in Lagos state. But here’s where it gets tricky. I am not going to try to make you believe that just by setting up social media pages, you will put your brand in the faces of people and get the results you want. No, that will be the biggest lie ever told. To improve your online presence using social media, you will need to put in the work creating engaging, consistent content that resonates with your audience. Also, you will need to respond to comments and messages to show your customers that you’re approachable and attentive. Doing the above will just get you organic reach. And that is great, but sometimes you need an extra push. And that’s where online advertising comes in. Just the same way you put up billboards and take out a radio or TV airtime to make more people aware of your business, that’s the same way you can invest in online ads to reach more people. Remember, when people see you frequently on social media, they’ll be more inclined to trust your brand. So, find ways to put your brand in their faces through consistently engaging content and online advertising.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
2. Google My Business Profile
Google is the most used search engine in Nigeria and you can take advantage of it to ensure more people see and interact with your business when they search on Google. Google has a feature called Google My Business that can help you list your business on Google including vital information about it such as your address, opening hours, specific services, and contact details. This allows your business to appear in local search results. To get started, all you need to do is to claim your profile on Google My Business or set up a new profile, and make sure all your business details (like address, phone number, and operating hours) are correct. Here’s another trick, encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews for you on Google, as they greatly influence how people perceive your business online.3. Invest in Email Marketing
Many business persons I have had an opportunity to meet think that email is old-fashioned. Now, if you’re one of those, that is a big mistake. Almost everyone who uses a smartphone has an email account. And research has it that more than 250 billion emails are sent every day around the world. So, email marketing is one of the most effective ways to improve your online presence. Building an email list allows you to directly engage with customers, building relationships with them and easily providing them with updates, offers, and valuable content. To get started with email marketing, you can consider platforms like Mailchimp or Brevo. They offer free versions for you that can help you get started and build gradually till you’re ready to pay for premium.4. Sign Up for Online Business Listings
A few weeks ago, I was looking for the services of a company that can design an award plaque for my organisation. I asked several persons and none had any idea who. So, I did a Google search and it turned up so many businesses on Jiji that specialize in plaques. When I checked them out, they had different types of plaques on display on their pages. And it may be wonder how many more customers like me have come to them just from Jiji. So, as a business owner, you can improve your online presence by listing it on various online business listings. Connect Nigeria has a listing page dedicated solely to Nigerian businesses and audiences. You can sign up and list your business today by visiting www.connectnigeria.com Your goal should be that your business is able to show up online whenever and wherever a potential customer searches for the product you sell or the service you provide.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Concluding Thoughts
Improving your business’s online presence isn’t a one-off affair, it’s an ongoing process that requires constant effort. It does not end with you doing these four alone, you also need to regularly monitor your online presence to ensure your business maintains its reputation. As customers leave you reviews on platforms like Google, Facebook, or local Nigerian business directories, professionally respond to them, both positive and negative. Customers are more likely to trust a business that addresses complaints rather than one that ignores them.Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com