We live in a world full of connectivity. Many people feel they must be connected to each other and the world around them 24/7. The internet has changed how we live our lives and the expectations we put on our friends, family and even businesses we follow. We expect the world at our fingertips and, because of this, those who aren’t easily accessible online will often be overlooked. We work and shop during every possible minute of the day and expect our preferred business partners and retailers to be available when we are, even if only through a website. Therefore, if you’re in business and not online or not “in the know,” you’ll be left in the dust.
Getting Online
Let’s face it, it’s 2017, all businesses must be online and have an interactive internet presence to reach their client base. Believe it or not, there are still many businesses that haven’t grasped this concept and still don’t have a website. Although you may be found on Yelp or Google, without a website to link to from these pages, your business is merely glanced over. Having a viable website allows people to see your business as a reputable institution – without this main platform, all other online mediums are useless. If you only utilize free marketing options, such as Yelp, Google, or even social media, most people will assume you are a “fly-by-night” company and will likely move onto your competitor. It’s definitely important to be using these other mediums and have them connected to your website; however, skipping the website itself shows a lack of professionalism and a lack of commitment.
Enter the New Year
Google changes its algorithm constantly. Therefore, your website should change constantly. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be redesigning your website every week; however, it does mean that your website must not be antiquated. An antiquated website means two things: First, you are losing business that could easily come your way through a Google search because Google sees your site as “stagnant”, and therefore, Google skips your web page altogether. Second, you’re not appealing to the younger internet generation. Today’s websites are expected to be mobile friendly, easy to navigate, and almost foolproof. If you’re not up to date, today’s users are likely skipping over your site because it’s too difficult to navigate and it is not interactive in any way. In the end, the lack of commitment and willingness to change could lose big money for your company.
In the New Year, it is important to include a budget for online marketing. Be sure to budget for an update to your website or overall website redesign! If you are ready to take this necessary step to improving your online presence and, ultimately, your business profits, contact the experts at Skol Marketing at 612.787.7565.
