Tag Archive for: small business tips

A young female business owner works on her laptop in her studio, surrounded by mannequins and fashion design projects

The Top 7 Reasons Why Every Small Business Needs an Online Presence

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Having a powerful online presence is crucial to the success of every small business. Not having an online presence makes it nearly impossible for people to discover a business when searching for products or services. A user-friendly website and active social media presence quickly connects brands with their ideal audience – whether locally, globally, or both! 

Small business owners have everything to gain by making their business known and accessible online. In this blog post, we will highlight the top 7 reasons business owners need an online presence! 

1. An Online Presence Levels the Playing Field  

In the past, it might have been difficult for small business owners to purchase a full-page magazine ad or produce a commercial for local TV. Today, social media giants like Facebook and Instagram enable small business owners to target their ideal audience for a fraction of the cost!   

The average cost per click (CPC) for an Instagram ad is between 2 and 20 cents, with the cost per 1000 impressions (CPM) about $6.70. Facebook has an average CPC of 97 cents and a CPM of $7.19. These numbers make it possible for small businesses of any size to reach new customers in a timely and cost-effective way.

2. An Online Presence Expands Your Audience  

One of the main reasons why businesses love promoting their brands online is that they can reach people around the world. An online presence can take your business anywhere, for a fraction of the cost of traditional local advertising. If your goal is to grow outside of your local arena, online is the way to go!  

Here are a few tips to expand your audience through your online presence: 

  • Run paid ads to reach highly targeted audiences. 
  • Post consistently on social media to stay top-of-mind. 
  • Keep your site up-to-date by posting content regularly. 
  • Make your site extremely easy for visitors to navigate. 

The best part? If new and existing customers are satisfied with the experience you provide, they will likely tell others about your business, either through social media, leaving a Google review, or even by word of mouth! With an effective online marketing strategy in place, your audience is sure to grow.  

3. Customers Expect Businesses to Be Online 

Where do customers immediately go after hearing about a new product that has caught their attention? Do they look up the company in the phone book, or head to a nearby store and hope to find it there?  

Not anymore… customers simply Google the product and find everything they need to know about it. This is another reason why business owners need an online presence!  

When potential customers show interest in your business, products, or services, it is crucial to get in front of them as quickly as possible. Because the customer journey often begins online, a compelling internet presence is the key to seizing new opportunities to grow your customer base.

4. Marketing is a 24/7 Salesperson 

Small business owners fulfill multiple responsibilities within their business if not all of them. At times, some duties may take precedence over others, and cut into the time that could be spent actively making sales. An online presence makes it that much more convenient for businesses to sell their products and services.  

A highly informative and well-written landing page might be all it takes to persuade visitors to hit the “place order” button. While marketing is not a set-it-and-forget-it effort, it does take some of the sales work of the business owner’s shoulders. By meeting users where they are online, you can educate them about your company, address their pain points, and share your unique selling proposition all before they convert! 

This is also convenient for the customer. The internet changed the way that businesses sell products and services, and consumer behavior changed with it. Customers prefer online communication – meeting them where they are, on the platforms they use – as found by SalesMSG, an SMS marketing provider. A strong online presence meets customers wherever they are, at any hour of the day, so business owners can increase sales, even when they’re off the clock. 

5. Ease of Communication with Customers 

With a website and social media presence, business owners can communicate with customers as efficiently as possible. Websites and social channels can be updated constantly to share the latest products and services, sales and events, and the latest company news. Customers can send direct messages via the website or on social media, and business owners can answer questions on-the-fly. 

Plus, Google loves websites that publish content regularly. The more frequently you update yours, the more frequently a search engine stops by to check out your website. This means greater odds of ranking higher and staying in front of your audience!   

6. Potential Tax Credit 

You read that right. An online presence may make you eligible for a tax credit! 

The IRS rewards up to a $5k grant in tax credit to businesses with ADA-compliant websites. These are sites that are functional for users with physical impairments, such as visual and auditory disabilities. 

A positive website experience benefits both the customer and the business owner. By creating a website that meets customers’ unique needs, business owners can reach an even wider audience! 

7. Actionable Insights for Streamlined Reporting 

Having direct access to digital marketing performance enables businesses to identify the behaviors of their ideal audience. This understanding of customer needs and preferences provides the perfect opportunity to tailor content that keeps them engaged.  

By evaluating website performance through platforms like Google Analytics, business owners can pinpoint what digital marketing strategies are most effective and discover new growth opportunities. This enables business owners to create data-driven marketing strategies that are proven to drive sales and help grow the business!  

Give Your Business a Boost

In this digital revolution, small business owners deserve creative, data-backed marketing solutions that drive decision-making and business growth. 

What digital solutions are you looking for? Digital Resource provides responsive web design, search engine optimization, and expert digital marketing services that are proven to increase brand awareness, increase search engine ranking, and convert clicks into customers.

Click here to get started!   

A group of breast cancer survivors hugging and smiling at each other

Business Lessons from a Breast Cancer Survivor: An Interview with Xendoo COO, Julia Aquino

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Julia Aquino, Xendoo COO, poses with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month pink ribbon.

Julia Aquino, Xendoo COO, recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As we begin Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Xendoo COO and breast cancer survivor, Julia Aquino. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. She knew that she needed a deep understanding of the disease in order to make the best decisions for her health, while also running a successful business. 

 

Armed with knowledge and clear goals for recovery, she survived and thrived through treatment. In today’s post, she shares what her experience with breast cancer taught her about business. 

Make a Plan

When Julia was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she dove into researching the disease. She learned how cancer was typed, what the terminology meant, and how the medication worked. She understood her family history, and the stage she was in. This knowledge helped her to coordinate with her doctor to create an effective plan for care and survival. It kept her focused and determined as she fought the disease. 

 

Having a business plan provides the same focus and determination to meet your goals. When you pair that determination with knowledge of your industry, audience, and competition, you can reduce your competitive risks and navigate difficulty with confidence. Your business plan is your roadmap that helps you take focused action and make informed decisions as your business grows.

Know Your Numbers

There are many numbers associated with cancer. Your staging, your white blood count (WBC), tumor marker levels, hormone levels, and FISH levels, to name a few. It can be very intimidating. Taking the time to understand your numbers and their significance will provide you with factual information so you can understand where you are, and what options you have. It reduces fear-based decision making, and brings clarity to an otherwise overwhelming situation.

 

The same idea applies to business. When you know your numbers, you can make better decisions, based on facts. Sometimes we don’t want to look at our financials because we do not understand them, or because they show we are not as profitable as we would like to be. However, there is always information that can guide our actions, and help us find solutions. Take the time to understand your key metrics and trends, measure the outcomes of the actions you take, and adjust behaviors when needed. The financial insight gained from this review can be used to effectively address issues and strategize for long-term success.

Find a Support System

Those who are battling breast cancer have a lot on their shoulders; they balance work, their lives, their hopes and fears, and their health. It can be physically and emotionally draining. The right medical team, supportive friends and family, and a healing environment can provide comfort in the most difficult moments. Finding a support system that encourages them to keep moving forward makes all the difference in the world. 

 

Likewise, business owners juggle multiple roles, including leader, sales, customer service, and even bookkeeper. Shouldering all of those responsibilities can become overwhelming and exhausting. Business owners need a supportive team who complements what they lack experience in, and takes the stress off of their plates. 

 

You do not have to do it all on your own. Build a supportive team that covers all the bases, so you can do what you do best – growing your business. In discouraging moments, your team will push you to dust yourself off and refocus on your business goals. In moments that you need to step back, they will be happy to step up to keep the business running. When you are ready to jump back in, remember the true power you have, rely on the support you are surrounded with, and keep moving forward. 

Celebrate Your Victories 

To all who are battling breast cancer, we support you and are amazed by you. You work hard every day and fight the good fight, so take time this month to remember your strength, honor your courage, and celebrate every victory, no matter the size! Every step you take moves you further into the mindset of “I can and I will”.

Watch the full interview with Julia below: