In today’s digital age, having an online presence should be a non-negotiable component of your growth strategy. 

Any business, regardless of industry and size, will eventually have to take on the task of establishing a digital presence. Even if you don’t plan on selling products and services online, consumers expect to find you there.

Approximately 76% of consumers will search for a company’s website before deciding to visit its physical location for the first time. Among these consumers, 45% are likely to visit the business in person after being able to find a strong digital presence for the business through an online search.ⁱ This then becomes not a matter of why your business needs an online presence, but rather when it will be established. Consider the following suggestions when taking the first step into the digital realm.

Before you start planning out what your website will look like, you need to secure a domain. A domain is the web address that tells a browser which server your website is hosted on. Many sites offer domain name services, and a few options are Bluehost.com, HostGator.com, and GoDaddy.com.

Once you have your domain name, it’s a good idea to set up a business email address using this domain. Even if you’re a one-person operation, using a domain-based email adds a professional touch to communications with clients and customers. For those who are not tech-savvy, the thought of creating a website can be daunting, but in reality, the process is more straightforward than they might think. There are numerous tools available that allow non-technical individuals to create websites without writing a single line of code. Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress are popular options for many website builders, with WordPress backing over 60 million websites on the internet.ⁱⁱ

Remember, your initial goal is to have a functional website and to be present online. You can always refine its look and feel and add content over time. Treat it as a dynamic work in progress that will evolve alongside your business.

Once your website is complete, the next step is to increase its visibility online. This is where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in handy. In short, SEO refers to making your website more visible to search engines by boosting its ranking in search results. SEO plays an important part in building and maintaining an online presence, regardless of whether you’re just starting out or have been in the business for decades.

One way to improve your website’s SEO is by generating more inbound links (when external website pages link back to your site) and creating relevant, high-quality content. When users search for phrases like “local credit union,” the websites with more inbound links and relevant content will be displayed first. To increase your local visibility, consider employing local SEO strategies that target your specific market locations. This helps you connect with potential customers in your community who are more likely to convert into paying clients.

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Social media platforms have transformed from places to connect with friends and family into valuable spaces for brand awareness and promotion. Consumers are actively present on social media, making it crucial for businesses to establish themselves on these platforms. Data shows that there are over 4.59 billion active social media users today, and this number is expected to reach nearly six billion by 2027.ⁱⁱⁱ

To get started, set up accounts on the major social media platforms. Don’t limit yourself to just one account; aim for at least two or three. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are some of the most popular platforms, but choose the ones where your target customers are more likely to be found. Remember, you don’t need to be present on every platform; quality and consistency trump quantity.

Once your accounts are set up, be proactive in sharing information about your services, post before-and-after photos of projects or products, and highlight satisfied customers. Use social media as a platform to showcase your expertise and prove to potential customers that your business is reputable. You can try providing interesting statistics and fun facts about your products or services to capture the attention of consumers and demonstrate the value your business offers.

Taking your business online provides your potential customers with the opportunity to discover and connect with your business at any time and from anywhere. The convenience that this option offers far exceeds what a physical location or store could realistically provide. It allows you to market your products to a broader target demographic in a more cost-effective manner than traditional marketing methods, potentially leading to increased revenues by making the most of all available digital channels.