5 Simple Tips to Raising Your Business’s Digital Profile
In this digital age, you need to ensure that your online business profile is up-to-date and easily accessible for your customers. A quick google search shows that this isn’t always the case. So here are some quick and easy options to ensure that your online profile is correct and ready to promote, increasing your opportunity to get new customers..
The Deloitte Mobile Nation 2019 report indicates that 9 out of 10 Australians own a smart phone and of these, 60% have replaced at least three other items with their device (such as phone book, road directory and camera). Taking these numbers and combining them with the average time spent on the internet of over *5 hours, there has never been a more important time to ensure that your digital profiles are up to date.
‘You are Open - Now it’s time to tell the world’ webinar presented by Venture Melton on 25/6/2020
Tip 1: Melton City Much More App
With over 9000 downloads, the Melton City Much More app puts your business in the hands of the customer, wherever they might be. Not only does the app include local business listings, it also offers local places to visit and upcoming events.
If your business is involved in the Visitor Economy (Restaurants / Cafes/ Entertainment venues), your free listing on the Melton City Much More App is already live and ready for your customers. But make sure we have your correct information on display. To stand out from the pack, enhance your listing for free with a special offer to encourage more clicks and visits. Fill out our business listing form or email susanb@melton.vic.gov.au.
Not in the Visitor Economy? You can still get a temporary listing on the App by getting involved in Council’s free ‘Open for Business Campaign’. Simply put together an offer you’d like to promote and put in an Expression of Interest Form to get a free ad listing in the Star Weekly Newspaper that will be promoted through the App and the Melton City Much More Facebook page.
If you haven’t already, download the app from your preferred app store or head to www.melton.vic.gov.au/meltoncitymuchmore.
Tip 2: Google Business Listing
Your free Google Business Profile lets you easily connect with customers across Google Search and Maps. Don’t leave your competitors as the only visible options when people are using google maps – head to Google Business and click on ‘Manage Now’.
Statistics from Google show that there are over 5 billion searches for restaurants per month – which just goes to show that you need to be online and in particular on Google. Most people use the Google Search engine to search for information. In a 2019 search trends report, Google has indicated that there is up to 350 times more search interest in ‘local’ and ‘near me’ compared to 10 years ago. Act now - you can’t afford not to have a Google listing.
Tip 3: Facebook
Don’t leave your Facebook page to chance – if you are yet to create a page (or even if you have), chances are that someone has done it for you with an ‘unofficial’ page. A quick search on Facebook will show you if these exist. If you find an Unofficial page, click on the ‘Is this your business?’ question and follow the steps to claim the page or merge it with your existing page.
According to Social Media Examiner, a whopping 89% of marketers indicated that social media generated more exposure for their business. Additionally, 75% found their website traffic increased as a result of their social media efforts.
Generally, the Facebook algorithm will always prioritize posts with a lot of likes, comments, or shares, particularly if that engagement all comes in a short time. It will also prioritize serving content to a user if it has been liked by their friends, as well as posts types that the user either interacts with frequently or seems to prefer.
Getting a Facebook page can not only help you promote your business, but enable to better connect with your customers on a regular basis.
Tip 4: Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW)
The ATDW provides Australian tourism businesses and events with increased online exposure through a single, self-managed listing that appears on many tourism platforms including Visit Victoria and Australia.com.
If your business is in the visitor economy or provides a service to travellers, you are likely to be eligible to list.
The ATDW is currently offering free listings for those eligible businesses until 31 August 2020. Contact venturemelton@melton.vic.gov.au to discuss claiming your listing.
The ATDW is conducting a series of webinars to assist with creating, updating and maximising your listing.
If you aren’t in the Visitor Economy, look for industry directories that can help maximise your business presence, for example HiPages for trades or through an industry association.
Tip 5: Google Yourself
Enter your business name into a google search bar and see where else you are listed. Make sure that you claim your listing on these sites and start updating. Sites might include Yellow Pages, Zomato, Tripadvisor, Snapchat and delivery sites such as Uber, Menulog and Doordash. If you don’t find a listing, you can also create one, making sure that your customers can find you, whatever way they come looking.
Most of these sites offer a free base listing, so the only cost to you is the time to check and claim your business listing.
But wait there’s more….
Yes, we said 5 tips, but there is just so much you can do to quickly and easily increase your online presence.
While you are updating and refreshing your listings, joining the Venture Melton Business Network will add you to our member directory, keeping that B2B connection alive and well.
Think about what your customers are looking for when they search your business online. Is your website mobile friendly, or are you making it harder for people when they do reach you? Is it easy for your potential customers to find your phone number, can they book online do you have a price list and more. Think about the questions that you get asked regularly and respond to these online as well. According to the Constant Contact blog, 62% of consumers are less likely to choose a restaurant if they can’t read the menu on a mobile device.
And Finally….
As you are updating your digital profiles, take note of any passwords and login details you create and keep them somewhere safe.
So don’t delay, jump online and start checking your digital profiles straight away.
To learn more, head to our Venture Melton Business Network tutorials , find support from our network members or give us a call on 9747 7157 to discuss.