Just because you have a small business doesn’t mean that you have to think like a small business. Perception can easily become reality. Think about why people trust large companies. It’s because they are perceived to be more successful. Their established reputations may seem intimidating to your business, but remember – they all started out small, just like you. So, how can you make your business seem more developed?
Take some time away from meetings and busy work to really think about what your business is missing compared to your more established competitors. Is it a mobile-friendly website? Or even a few social media accounts? 75% of consumers access sites through their phone, so it’s crucial that your business have a digital presence. If you’ve noticed that your business isn’t making that next step forward, then this could be your answer.
Puff your chest up because these three simple steps can help make your small business grow.
- Build Your Website
First impressions mean everything, so the last thing you want is your website to look like it’s straight out of the ‘90s. Did you know that 50% of small businesses still don’t have websites? With this transition into the digital world, a business can easily go unnoticed without a website or with one that looks old. Invest in creating a website that is mobile friendly because it will boost your SEO rank while pushing your website to the top of Google’s first page.
Remember, your website is a place to develop a relationship with your customers. Your website should strive to look professional, clean and be user friendly. But don’t stop there, add some content through blogs and videos to make those users stay a little longer on your site.
- Social Media Presence is Everything
Posting on social media isn’t just a way for younger generations to connect with their friends, it’s a way for your customers to interact with your brand. From Twitter’s hashtags to Facebook’s paid ads and LinkedIn’s connections, there are so many different channels that target the audience you are trying to reach. LinkedIn is great for B2B connections while Instagram is better at engaging with younger consumers. Check out what the larger brands in your industry use and start referring to one or two of those accounts. Don’t ignore social media, it’s an easy platform to help support your brand. Start creating your social accounts today.
- Create a Marketing Budget
Have you ever heard the saying “a product sells itself?” While it’s true in certain circumstances, it shouldn’t be a motto that your small business stands by. No matter how wonderful your products are, you still need to promote and sell them to your customers. A marketing budget is even more important for those B2C companies since they work directly with their consumers at the point of sale. Put at least 6% of your revenues into marketing materials to increase your brand awareness and you’ll see a dramatic boost in your sales.
It’s time for your small business to stand tall and show your audience that your company has what it takes to instill confidence in its brand. All it takes is a solid website, a strong social media presence and some engaging promotions to develop your business into what you’ve always dreamed of. Who says your small business can’t look big? Large or small, success will always speak for itself.
