A Quick Guide to Growing Your Online Presence
Often my web design clients aren’t sure how to approach growing their online presence. It’s a great first step to get your website done, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. That’s why I decided to write this guide, to help you feel clear and confident while utilizing the many tools that the online world has to offer for growing your business! The goal with this post is to help you save time and gain clarity about how to approach the digital world!
Website: Learn how to design your website to help you achieve your business goals. You'll find a helpful checklist that covers everything you need to make sure your website is professional, easy to navigate, and perfectly aligned with your branding.
Social Media: Connect with your audience and expand your reach on social media with tips for consistency, types of content to share, and managing your time efficiently while creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Email Newsletters: Grow your newsletter list with strategies for encouraging sign-ups and create engaging newsletters that will help you build a sense of community.
Google Business: Boost your business in search results with a reputable Google Business profile. We'll guide you through the setup process, provide tips for encouraging reviews, and discuss the importance of a fully completed profile.
Pillar One
YOUR WEBSITE
Your website serves as your virtual home in the online universe, providing a platform for you to showcase your unique voice and offerings to the world. As potential clients weigh their options and consider working with you or buying your products, your website can play a crucial role in their decision-making process. That's why it's important to ensure that your website is professional, user-friendly, and consistent with your branding.
Define Your Website's Main Purpose: Consider what you want your website to achieve. Is it to increase brand awareness, drive sales, book consultations, or grow your newsletter list? Keep your main objective in mind as you design each page.
Determine Your Call to Action: Decide on the action you want visitors to take after visiting your website. Do you want them to buy a product, subscribe to your newsletter, or read your blog? Make sure your website design emphasizes this call to action.
Design Your Website with Your Target Audience in Mind: What are their needs and desires, and how can your website help them? By creating a website that's tailored to your ideal customer, you'll be more likely to achieve your desired outcomes.
RESOURCES:
squarespace, webflow, wordpress
Pillar Two
SOCIAL MEDIA
When it comes to social media, consistency is key. But it can be tough to maintain a regular posting schedule without feeling burnt out or uninspired. That's why it's important to create a system that sparks inspiration and keeps you motivated. Spend some time figuring out what types of content you want to share on your social media platforms and how much time you can realistically devote to them each week. With a little planning and organization, you can build a strong social media presence that supports your brand and engages your audience.
Develop a content strategy: A content strategy is the backbone of your social media presence. It outlines the type of content you will create, how often you will post, and what your brand's voice and style will be. You can start by brainstorming content ideas that align with your business goals and target audience. Remember to create a mix of different types of content.
Create a content calendar: Once you have a content strategy in place, it's time to create a content calendar. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are posting consistently. Use a tool like Google Sheets or Trello to plan out your content in advance, including captions, images, and hashtags
RESOURCES:
Tailwind, other free apps, set up your content calendar
Pillar Three
NEWSLETTERS
Email newsletters are a powerful tool for staying connected with your community. Unlike social media algorithms that can bury your posts, newsletters arrive directly in your subscribers' inboxes, ensuring they see your message. By creating fun, authentic, and inspiring content that feels like a personal letter or exclusive peek into your life, you can engage your audience and keep them coming back for more.
Determine how you want your readers to feel. This could include feeling inspired, joyful, informed, or excited.
Consider what type of content your community would enjoy. This could be writing prompts, DIY guides, behind-the-scenes photos, moodboards, and more.
Design your newsletter to be visually appealing and on-brand. Consider using a template that aligns with your brand and includes inspiring and interesting content.
Keep your newsletters authentic and personal. Let your newsletter be a letter to a friend or an exclusive look at what you've been up to.
RESOURCES:
Flodesk, squarespace newsletter feature, mailchimp
Pillar Four
GOOGLE BUSINESS
Your Google Business profile is a vital component of your online presence, especially if you're running a local business. It allows you to showcase your business information, including your address, phone number, website, and hours of operation, making it easier for potential customers to find and contact you. Additionally, having a well-optimized Google Business profile can also help improve your search engine rankings and attract more customers to your business.
Fill out your profile completely: Make sure you fill out all of the sections of your Google Business profile, including your address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and photos. This will help your business appear more trustworthy and credible to potential customers.
Use high-quality photos: Including photos of your business, products, and services can help customers get a better idea of what you offer. Make sure the photos are high-quality and showcase your business in the best possible light.
Encourage customers to leave reviews: Reviews are a crucial aspect of your Google Business profile, as they can help improve your visibility in search results and build trust with potential customers. Consider offering a discount or special promotion to customers who leave a review.
Building a strong online presence is key to the success of any small business. The good news is that it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By taking small steps, such as creating a website that is easy to update, crafting engaging newsletters, and optimizing your social media and Google Business profile, you can expand your audience and connect with new people. To stay consistent, try implementing systems like a monthly Instagram post calendar or a content outline for your next 6 months of newsletters. And don't forget to stay true to your unique voice so that your audience feels a genuine connection to your work.
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