Visual Communication Group’s Services is an essential component to your success in competing online locally for prospective customers. Whether they find you through word of mouth, searching the internet, or other means, having the right Web Presence empowers you to present your business in a way that supports your professionalism, expertise, and brand.
But it doesn’t start and end with VCG Services – there are many other actions you must take to succeed online. We have compiled a list of best practices learned from our experience providing web solutions as well as exhaustive research. This list is by no means everything there is to do – ideas abound in the market – but they are critical steps to ensure you position yourself for success online.
Doing Business: In the course of your activities every day, there are key actions you need to take to drive success online.
- You use a single dedicated domain (website) for all online initiatives. One website connected to your social media and other sites provides a “hub” for all of your web initiatives. Webtools provides this value if used as your primary website address.
- You do NOT use 3rd party email (e.g., Gmail) for business email. Many companies overlook the credibility of using email from their website address. It not only reinforces your brand and legitimacy, but it also leads prospects and customers back to your site!
- You promote your website on ALL collateral (business cards, trucks, invoices, etc.). Advertising, ranging from word of mouth to collateral, is very important to any business. Be sure you put your Web Presence front and center. After all, it’s another way for your customers to engage with you on their time.
- You solicit customer feedback and have >5 reviews/testimonials. Customers are your best advocates. They offer credible stories about how well your business has served their needs. Be sure to consistently solicit positive feedback from your customers and publish it on your Website – always ask for permission to do so as well.
- You maintain accurate business profiles with Google, Bing, and Yahoo! The rise of local search results has been extremely fast. With over 20% of all online searches being for local businesses, having the right information on the three major engines is critical.
- You’re active in social media and include links on your website. Hundreds of millions of people use LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. You don’t have to be the most expert, but having well-crafted, legitimate pages and messages reinforces your business's credibility.
- You ask customers if they visited your website. Having a strong Web Presence is a part of doing business in today’s market. Ask if new customers visited your site.
- You ask customers how they found you – be specific. There are many ways new customers can find your business. They range from the phone book to word of mouth and Google. As you serve the new customer, ask how they found you and keep a list of responses. The results may surprise you.
- You invite people to visit your website when interacting with them in person. You are your best advocate! Always ask people you meet to visit you online.
Your Business Online: Being deliberate about how you manage your website will give you the best chance of succeeding online.
- Your website content accurately represents your business. As you evolve and change your overall business model, be sure your Web Presence keeps pace. Make time to review how you present your business regularly and update as needed.
- You display >20 high-quality website images that highlight your company's work. You know the old saying, ‘a picture speaks a thousand words.’ Be sure to have at least 20 images on your site to showcase your best work.
- Your web presence accurately represents the current products and services you offer. Once you have people visiting your Website, it’s important to deliver the services people expect. Make sure that as your business offerings change, your site does as well.
- Your website homepage is informative and easy to navigate. When people are browsing online, their attention spans are often short. VCG Services delivers an easily navigated Website, and you need to ensure the correct, compelling copy representing your business is the first thing they see on the home page.