We know that first impressions are everything. When a potential customer searches for your business, it’s their first impression that will most likely determine whether they decide to engage with you or see what else is out there. With a strong and inviting online presence, it’s much easier to build trust with those who have never heard of your business and capture them as leads.
According to SalesLion, around 85% of customers conduct online research before making a purchase. If that’s the case, there’s one question you should be asking yourself right now:
Is your online presence convincing customers to choose you over your competitors?
Having an online presence doesn’t just mean updating your Facebook page with a silly post every day or two. It entails maintaining a website, Google Business Profile, and social media.
Luckily, you don’t have to commit a ton of time to doing so, either. Even small moves, if strategically made, can offer remarkable results in just a few months.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at a simple, step-by-step plan that explores how to improve online presence for small business owners, so you can start attracting and connecting with the right audience.
Why Your Online Presence Is the Gateway to More Leads
Today’s marketing is digitally driven. Customers will more than likely have their first point of contact with you online before anywhere else, so it’s an expectation that you look credible, professional, and reliable at first glance.
Think of your website, social media profiles, and Google Business as your “virtual storefront.” Just like the facade of a brick-and-mortar business, if you don’t impress customers upon first discovery, there’s a good chance you could lose out on opportunities before the conversation even starts.
Don’t take our word for it, though. The proof is in the numbers.
Around 88% of consumers trust online reviews just as much as they would personal recommendations, and social media alone has a 100% lead-to-close rate compared to outbound marketing.
Of course, as we said before, online presence isn’t just social media focused.
Each platform serves a unique purpose.
Your website should be at the heart of your online strategy, as it’s the hub where you ultimately want your customers to end up. Your Google Business page is going to be the bridge that gets people there from their initial local searches. From there, social media will help you continuously build connections with your audience.
So, how do we use these tools in tandem with one another to make the most out of them?
The 3-Month Plan to Build a Polished Online Presence
Month 1: Transform Your Website into a Lead-Generating Machine
So, what makes a website lead-generating?
Well, to start, it’s important to note that your website is your online identity, and many marketers would argue that it’s your most valuable digital asset. A visitor will form an opinion about your business within 0.05 seconds of landing on your website. If they don’t find what they like within five seconds, 61% of those visitors will leave.
As such, you need to deliver the most engaging experience possible right off the bat.
There are a few key actions you can start with:
- Optimize your website’s performance and make sure it’s fast-loading and mobile-friendly.
- Add clear, compelling CTAs for higher conversion rates.
- Use SEO strategies to make it easier for customers to find you.
ZOE, a health platform and nutrition app, was able to increase its organic traffic to 3.2 million monthly visits, over ten times what they were doing six months prio, with a simple SEO strategy.
Need to build a professional website for your small business? Explore our services here at ZD Design.
Month 2: Google Business Page Optimization for Local Traffic
Many marketers also consider Google Business to be one of the most powerful tools for attracting local customers. The more complete, consistent, and active your profile is, the better your visibility will be in search results.
Key actions to take to optimize your Google Business profile:
- Fill out each section completely (NAP, hours of operation, business description, etc.)
- Make sure to use relevant keywords in your description to attract the right audience.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews
- Upload high-resolution photos of your business, including your interior, exterior, and products.
Texas realtor Bret Wallace generated six high-quality leads from his Google Business profile in the first 10 weeks of optimization in 2024, earning him over $100,000 in the first quarter of that year.
Month 3: Build Engagement Through Social Media
Social media plays a big role in creating long-lasting connections between businesses and people. With consistency across all channels and messaging that people can resonate with, it’s one of the best tools used to get more leads for small business owners.
Here are some things you can do right now to make the most of your social media:
Key actions to take:
- Choose one platform that aligns most with your audience (whether Facebook, LinkedIn, or TikTok) and optimize it with high-quality branding.
- Use a variety of content, including images, videos, infographics, and tips/tricks to keep people interested.
- Run targeted ad campaigns to reach those who haven’t found you yet.
One great example of a small entrepreneur who took advantage of social media optimization to develop a better connection with her audience was haircare product specialist Taliah Waajid. In less than 12 months, she was able to amass around 20,000 fans on both Facebook and Instagram and increase her leads.
The Results: Doubling Your Leads in 3 Months
If you’re reading this blog, it’s a sign to start now.
With a well-optimized website, you can start turning your casual visitors into paying customers. However, for those who haven’t found your business yet, start with your local visibility by completing your Google Business profile.
To maintain your standing and generate more organic traffic to your website, make sure to stay active on social media.
Why You Don’t Need to Do It Alone
Now, if you’re a small business owner, all of this work that goes into developing a small business online marketing strategy might sound like a lot. In a way, you’re right. There’s a reason digital marketing is a full-time job. Plus, even if you have the extra time to set aside for optimization maintenance each day, there’s a chance you could be missing out on the best benefits without expert guidance.
ZD Design’s Business Marketing Accelerator Program offers a done-for-you solution designed to help you, as a small business owner, double your leads with online marketing in just three months.
From website optimization to social media strategies, our program takes the guesswork out of building an effective digital strategy. Don’t wait to make the most of your business. Start today!
