It is hard to believe that ten years ago many businesses didn’t have a website. Today, a website is a must have, no longer a ‘nice to have’. Your website is an extension of your team—It works for you and your team when you are all sleeping.
Just like team members…
Jill Wisehart
your website needs to grow and change with your business.
Once your website is up, make sure your business is listed in at least 8 business directories. There are many directories to choose from; be sure to pick the ones that will support your business. Directory listings—both local and not local—are the first steps you need to take toward growing your digital footprint.
Claiming business directory listings will also help drive traffic to your website. (Why? Because search engines look first toward directories when making their algorithmic decisions regarding your business ‘is this a real business question’. If search engines find your business in all the right directories— that is a birdie. If not—you just made a bogey.)
Next, build other web properties to support your business. This can be landing pages for support products or services, or social media channels. Check out what would best support your business: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, Four Square… When you build out your web properties make sure each of these properties have a consistent look and feel and branding message.
Once you have your properties set— update, update, update. The days of static websites without changing content for months or years are over. Frequent updates not only help better sell products and services, but also play a key role in getting higher search results.
Speak in different mediums. Not everyone likes to read. Others don’t like to watch videos. Others get more from an info-graphic or just a picture. Mix it up and make sure to include different mediums to provide depth to your digital footprint.
Finally, position yourself as an expert. Write eBooks, host webinars, produce podcasts, be interviewed, and answer questions on LinkedIn. Start to grow your presence as the expert in your field.
