If you’re new to the online world as a business owner, it can seem like a lot to jump on the bandwagon. Here are 5 simple rules to find success and grow your business and brand online!

  1. Keep your website simple and organized

When you are just starting online, you may think that the more info the better right? Wrong. A simple straightforward website is the way to go. Stick with the basics: home page, about us, gallery, blog, and contact us. It’s cool to add animations and sounds to your site, but don’t over do it. The last thing you want is for your ideal customer to visit your website and then run for the hills because you’ve overwhelmed them. Always ensure your contact information is easily accessible and your business information is right in front of them. Many customers don’t like to have to search for what they are looking for so keep it simple.

  1. Respond promptly

When someone fills out your contact form on your website, sends you an email inquiry or contacts you on social media, respond as soon as possible. If you take to long, you’re losing customers before you even have the chance to connect with them. There is so much competition nowadays that you don’t want any potential business to slip through the cracks.

  1. Engage

If you can turn your website and social media traffic from passive into active participants, you’ll increase your loyalty and sales! Adding a blog to your website is a great way to do that. Readers can comment and post feedback on blogs, which is awesome to provide some value-added content to your site while giving your audience room to engage. Adding a newsletter to your online marketing plan is a great way to get the word out there about new blog pieces that you have posted. Be sure to regularly add blog content to your website to encourage readers to come back for more and always share your blogs on your social media channels. Not ready for that kind of commitment? Ask us about our full-service marketing plans that include weekly blogging.

  1. Don’t oversell

No one likes a pushy salesperson in any business, including online. Provide value added content to your readers and link to your services or products to give them a hint without being extremely pushy. Your website should be the same.

  1. Remember-your customers are people!

Most importantly, never forget your customers are real people. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and take a good hard look at your customer service. You always need to deliver top-notch service, even if that means exhausting every option to help them and referring them to someone else that can help with what they need if you can’t. Customers remember the little bit extra effort that you put in and will continue coming back to you for the long term.

Taking your business online doesn’t need to be as daunting as it sounds. The Think Big Studios team is here to help when you need it!