Why in 2018 are we still having to convince business owners that they need to have a presence online? I have often wondered if they understand the devastation their business will face should they neglect the warning signs. Toys R Us, Kmart, RadioShack, and list of household names that dominated last century in business have now become extinct. Ultimately, fingers can point in any direction or specifically at Amazon or Walmart, but dominance online is the main factor. With out a contingency plan, these organizations became victims to the shark attack by Jeff Bezos and company. If you have not given any thought to adding digital to your business plan, there is no time to waste as technology will continue to evolve to serve your customers. Below are a few suggestions to begin your journey to getting your business online and stay in competition with your competitors.
- Start a website. If you have no website, started something and forgot about it, or don’t want to deal with it, there is a solution for you at any level. The easiest solution would be to hire Grow Laredo to handle your online efforts that not only provide you with a quality website and digital campaign, but get you ranking results when it comes to search engine optimization. If you have an existing website or company that is handling this for you, set up time to review your existing effort to make sure you’re coming up on google searches. If someone is handling your site, then ask them to give you an update, set goals, and follow up on those digital goals. These goals could focus on website performance and functionality, design and look, or speed and mobile rendering. Lastly, consider adding a tech savvy employee to your team. This made add some expense to your budget, but can return dividends in the long run as you will have some who’s sole job is make sure you are killing it online. As a long time marketing agency in Laredo, Grow Laredo offers solutions to help you with your website. Feel free to reach out to us as we are ready to help grow your business.
- Google My Business. Listing your business online is a key way to be found for the products, services, and message you are selling. As the number one search engine in the world, Google is the place where everyone initiates searches for all things including your business. Google My Business is a free easy way to be listed on when a consumer makes that search. All it takes is a Gmail account and a little time. Simply initiate a search for Google My Business and the first link will guide you through the process. After you have filled out the required forms, Google will send you a postcard with a code in 5-7 business days. That code is required to verify your business. After verification is complete, you will then have access to answer reviews of your business, store hours, phone number, address, as well as real-time updates through the Google My Business App. Here you can also update pictures of your business as well as create instant messaging between you and customers directly from Google. Again, this is a free service but Grow Laredo will happy to guide through the process of digitally marketing your business online. Digital marketing is our passion and have helped numerous businesses get online in Laredo and throughout Texas.
- Social Media Marketing is another marketing tactic that can not be overlooked. Whether it is Facebook Marketing, YouTube Marketing, Twitter, Email Marketing, Content Marketing, or Instagram marketing, Grow Laredo is leading the charge to educate businesses about the importance of not neglecting your social media presence in these areas. This not only requires that you create pages and identities in social platforms, but that you maintain them regularly. Here we will recommend that you consider video marketing as a prime focus for your marketing efforts as video shows the best return of investment and engagement. The best part of social is that all platforms are free to set up, but do consider allocating marketing dollars to boost your following. After a set amount of time and building an audience, you may be able to reduce those marketing dollars, but why would you as the more people you can connect with will pay you big returns through sales and brand loyalty.
As a leader in digital marketing, search engine optimization, website development, events, digital education, and marketing in Laredo, Texas, Grow Laredo seeks to help all business grow for the betterment and growth of our community. If you are a business owner or employee of a business looking to grow, use these tips to take your growth to the next level. Don’t have the time or the energy to handle your online presence, allow Grow Laredo to take your business and grow it online. Our commitment to economic development in Laredo and South Texas is unmatched and look forward to hearing from you to help your company reach its pinnacle.
