Online presence matters. Some of today’s most well-known brands, such as Nike, Starbucks, and Netflix, have a strong online presence. Consumers know what to expect when they land on their websites. They know the brands’ vision and what they offer.
No matter the size of your company, how you show up online can make all the difference in the success of your business. A strong online presence can drive leads, engage customers, establish trust, and provide a competitive advantage.
Of course, your online presence won’t happen overnight. It takes time and effort from various channels and platforms to slowly build and improve your brand’s positioning. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Here are three ways to elevate your brand’s online presence with expert help.
1. SEO Optimization
SEO, or search engine optimization, improves business visibility and credibility. Consumers searching for a specific product or service will click on the first few search results. They rarely make it to the bottom of the page or the second or third page. As a consumer, you may recognize this same search behavior. The higher the ranking, the more credible search engines deem it.
If you are struggling to rank in the top half of a search engine site, prioritizing your SEO strategy is crucial. SEO optimization can increase traffic, leading to more leads and sales. Whether you are a small or large company, you may not have the needed expertise to help with SEO. That’s when bringing in outside help can be beneficial.
Top marketing agencies can work with your existing marketing team to improve your website’s ranking in search engine pages. Agencies can conduct keyword research, identifying which keywords you should aim to rank for in your content and meta tags. They can also assist with developing content ideas, such as blog posts, long-form videos, and social media posts aligned with these keywords. Additionally, agencies can conduct technical audits to investigate what is hindering your site from a higher ranking. By fixing broken links, improving loading times, and writing on specific keywords, your SEO performance is sure to improve.
2. Content Creation
Is your company’s blog section lacking in information? Are articles outdated and underperforming? Do you scramble to find something worthy to post on Instagram and Facebook just to keep the brand active? If any of these questions apply to you, then read on. Hiring content creators may be the next best move for you and your business needs.
Content creators can focus solely on writing and publishing content for your brand needs. This may look like regularly scheduled blog posts with specific SEO keywords or backlinks to other relevant information. Or it can include attention-grabbing Instagram posts and Reels designed to be shareworthy and increase your follower count. Content creators know the industry well, meaning they understand what will resonate with your audience and how to best capture their attention.
When hiring a content creator, think about your specific needs. Determine what content you want to prioritize — blog articles or social media posts — and how often you want them to publish something. You can search for creators via LinkedIn or other job marketplaces like Upwork or Fiveer. Posting a call-for-work on your social media channels may help find an individual who already knows and loves your brand.
Once you find a few content creators, set expectations on what the project entails and how many pieces of content or hours per week you expect this to take. From there, ask for a trial project to see how they work and what you can expect. From there, you’ll find your top candidate and feel confident in your decision.
3. Website Development and Design
Your website is a direct reflection of your company. It’s your online business card, a platform that showcases your brand’s identity and core values. A welcoming, inviting website will engage consumers from the start. On the other hand, a difficult-to-navigate, confusing website will deter consumers and likely reflect a high bounce rate. You can sell the most innovative product in the world, but a poor website can dampen your sales.
If your website needs an overhaul or a refresh, it can be advantageous to bring in an experienced website developer and/or designer. A website developer will focus on the technical components of your site, writing code to ensure it functions properly. A website designer will focus on how the site looks from an aesthetic point of view. Both can be helpful and some digital agencies may have both roles covered.
Before you hire anyone, think about what you want your site to do and how you want it to look. If the main goal is sales, then the products should be easily viewed and displayed. If your main goal is attracting leads, then the form builder should be accessible and uncomplicated. Do some research on your main competitors and see what aspects of their website you like and which you don’t like. Having this type of information at the ready can help both a website developer and designer get a better understanding of how to make your vision a reality.
Conclusion
Bringing in outside expertise can be valuable to increase your brand’s online presence. Whether it’s for SEO optimization, content creation, or website development and designing, there are experienced agencies and individuals ready to help you out. Hiring them will allow you to focus more on what you excel in.
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