Many small business owners argue that they dont need a website - or any sort of online presence for that matter
. Many of them dont realise consumer behaviour has changed. Back in the day consumers used the Yellow Pages to find the service provider they were looking for, today they use Google.
If your business doesnt have dont have a website you probably dont know the potential amount of sales your business is missing out on. Still not convinced? Open Google.co.za in your browser and type in key-phrases related to your business (i.e. if youre a printer, print business cards cape town) and note the websites that are listed in the top 5 results. It has been proven that Internet users are more likely to click on website that appears on the top 5 results. If your business website was listed under the top 5 search results your website can be one of your most powerful marketing tools. It is also noteworthy that Google handles 34 000 search queries per second. Do you still think you can you afford to ignore your online audience?
As a small business owner it is not necessary to spend enormous amounts on your online presence a simple, well-optimised website can do wonders to enhance awareness for your brand and increase sales.
Social media is another channel small business owners are ignoring. Yes, social media needs a continuous investment of time and a well-thought out strategy in order to be a success but its not exactly rocket science. More people visit Facebook than Google, South Africa has at least 55 000 active Twitter users and according to Nielsen Internet users spend more than 5.5 hours per month on these social networking sites in December 2009. Convinced now? The Twenty3Media team can help you to establish your online presence, whether you only need a website for your business or you would like to improve your social media strategy. Contact us if you would like to know how we can help you integrate online elements with your existing marketing plan.