Archive for small
Are Google Maps Sufficient?
Posted by: | CommentsAs a Small Business Internet Consultant I often refer clients to a variety of tools that can be used to create or enhance an online exposure. As part of our services these accounts are set up for the client and tied into their website.
One of the free tools that Google provides is the opportunity to have your business listed with Google Maps pointing to the location of your premises. By submitting your business through your Google account (you do have one don’t you) the chances of getting a listing on the front page are high. There is a good chance that Google products such as Maps will rank highly.
But is it enough?
I am writing this post through a personal experience when looking for a refrigerator mechanic and after exhausting the local business directory I submitted a search query through Google. At the top of the first page was a list of business’s that related to the query. Of those that seemed relevant, only one listing referred me to a website that informed me of his services and area covered.
The website is simple, to the point and by the information provided had qualified me as a potential customer. I then engaged his services.
There is a few points to the story.
- The business had been listed on Google maps giving good exposure to search queries.
- A website backed up his Google Business listing.
- I had been qualified as a potential customer through the location on Google Maps and the information provided on the website.
- From an efficiency point of view he was not taking inquiries that did not directly relate to his business.
In summary Google business listing is a great way to get noticed through search queries and a website is not necessary to obtain a business listing but!
Complimented by a website that qualifies your customers and provides a call to action can make these tools combined a powerful selling force.
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Is Your Business Being Left Behind in Cyber Dust?
Posted by: | CommentsLarge organizations have generally led the way in taking full advantage of using the internet and reap the benefits of establishing an online presence. The great news is that with the advances in technology it is becoming easier for small business to establish their own online presence. Small business is rapidly taking advantage and exposing their products and services to the worldwide online community.
Having a website and marketing your small business online has tremendous advantages. Every small business has an opportunity of competing on a level playing field with the larger corporations. For small businesses there are several advantages to having a website.
- A professional looking website can equally impress the website visitor as much as the larger company and can add credibility to your business.
- It can be an economical way to advertise your products especially when combined effectively with traditional advertising. There are many ways to promote you business online including audio and video presentations.
- Keep in contact with your customers. It has often been said that a potential customer will not do business until after the seventh contact. With the many auto responder systems out there generating customers by constant contact can be largely automated leaving you to run your business.
- Create surveys. By having a questionnaire or a poll in your website you can obtain the response of your customers and visitors about your new products or even about a product you are developing.
- Sell your products online. With over 350 million people worldwide shopping online, your business no longer caters to the local population. Small business easily has the ability to sell products to a large online community who have already demonstrated that they are willing to place orders online. There are many providers now that specialise in secure shopping systems. As they generally have a large customer base it is cost effective for the small business.
Your website will work for you, 24 hours a day. When you close your doors of your business your website can still provide information about your products and services generate leads and make sales. Imagine coming into your business and filling orders that had been generated while you were asleep.
The Internet is booming. People living thousands of miles away are now just a few clicks away. The younger generation is growing up downloading music, videos, chatting, selling in internet auctions and making online purchases. The older generation is starting to adapt to using the internet with many courses offered around the world to help use the internet effectively. Some of the older generation now believes that purchasing products online is a safer alternative to going out to shop alone.
A Small Business should capitalize on this and make its online presence felt thereby increasing its sales and profitability. Any business not having an online presence may spell disaster in the years to come.
Is small business aware of the internet.
Posted by: | CommentsRecently I had the opportunity to set up a Wordpress site for two small business clients who did not even know how to directly find a website or navigate a site let alone how to down load a document. What they did know was that they needed to establish an online presence even though they were unsure how it worked.
After their site had been set up, I had the task of not only helping them to update their site, but how to find it in the first place. I am happy to say that not only can they now use their browser but can also now update their site by adding copy and images. I will show them videos at a later stage.
At first I agonised at the difficulty of the task, but then came the pleasure of seeing these people who had been in business for a long time now moving to the next phase and embracing, even showing some excitement about what an online presence can do for them.
My specialty is to help small business to establish an online presence and coming from a traditional business background I can understand the apprehension of some business owners. However my experiences with the above mentioned small business people has shown me, that the need to establish an online presence is being recognized.
Even small business’s that don’t even vaguely understand the internet are aware of the importance of owning their piece of real estate in cyber space.
