Easy Ways to Get Your Business Online
Not everyone is tech savvy and the thought of getting a business online might seem overwhelming, but we have put together a guide of 5 easy ways to get your business online. And some of them don’t even require a website.
Get a Free Listing on Google My Business
Google My Business is a free Google service. Since it is Google search that is finding your business, a business listing moves you up the Google rankings organically and without you spending any money on Google ads.
With a Google My Business Account, you get more than a business listing. Your free Business Profile lets you easily connect with customers across Google Search and Maps.
Here is a link to get set up: https://www.google.com/business/
This can be your first step to get your business online. The key is to fill in all the appropriate information such as:
- Your address
- Phone No.
- Hours of Operation
- About
- Link to your website (if you have one)
You can also write posts and add pictures to let prospective customers know that you are an expert in your field. And yes, this is all FREE.
Once your listing is complete, now you can ask current and past clients to review your business. Here are the directions to give your clients in order to get a review.
- On your computer, open Google Maps and make sure you’re signed in.
- Search for a place.
- Scroll down until you see “Write a Review”
- In the window that appears, click the stars to score the place. You can also write a review.
A YELP Business Listing
It’s free to set up and manage a business profile on Yelp. However, you will have to pay $1 per day for business page upgrades, such as adding a call to action (CTA) button or removing competitor’s ads from your page, and $600 per 1,000 impressions if you choose to use Yelp advertising.
Set Up A Business Facebook Page
Many companies do business via their facebook business page without having a website. Again, the critical part is making sure you set up and fill in all the boxes so that it easy to find you via phone, and messaging. It’s a great idea to showcase photos of your products to encourage visitors to connect with you. And don’t forget to respond to inquiries promptly.
You have probably heard that facebook is not showing business pages to the facebook audience unless the business is advertising. That may be true, but you can always post your latest information to your business page and then share it to your personal timeline for added exposure.
Facebook & Instagram Shops
Facebook has just introduced “Shops”.for facebook and Instagram. Without a website you can now put your own shop on your facebook business page. Check out this video for the pros and cons of opening a facebook shop.
YouTube Channel
If you like being on camera, set up your own YouTube channel and post videos that have been shot with your cell phone.
To get the right lighting effects you can buy a halo light on a tripod from companies such as Amazon or Best Buy. These halo lights also have a universal holder for your cell phone.
If you are putting together instructional videos, you can post these to your YouTube channel using a screen recorder service to record your computer screen instructions.
If you need some video editing, the freelance service Fiverr is excellent for all the quick services you may need, such as a thumbnail picture for the front of your video, actual video editing, adding music and an intro and outro with your company name, logo and phone no.
Website
At some point you will need to dig deeper into your pocket book and get a website. There are so many ways this can be done, depending on your needs and your pocketbook.
And if you are launching a website, make sure that you include Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on all your pages and posts. Not sure how SEO works, here is an article to help you.
The new normal or the next normal is having an online business. This way, no matter what is happening in the world you can still serve your customers with online order and delivery, online order and curbside pickup. We discuss this with Hugh and Ian in the That Channel video below.
If you are a coach, an artist, an author or a yoga instructor, you can still help your customers online. Zoom is our new best friend and so if you are a lounge pant, casual wear designer you’ve got it made in spades, because we are all wearing our comfy clothes most of the time.
In the meantime, if you are in a hurry to get your business online, why not connect with us for a FREE 30 minute consultation to help you get started.
XL Consulting Group is a marketing company helping small business get online quickly through logo design, copywriting and WordPress web design.