Staying Relevant Online as a Small Retailer

In today’s society, the internet has become one of the biggest mediums for marketing and advertising.

As a business looking to stay relevant in the minds of its customers, yours will not succeed without maintaining its online presence.

The internet has become second nature to the mind of the average consumer, who is always checking a smartphone for basically everything. From where to eat for dinner to where to buy flooring for a new home, the internet is involved in the decision-making process from start to finish.

You may be wondering, “How do I get my business noticed online?” Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have some best practices to set you on your way to social success.

1. Build A Website

Having a website is one of the most important components of running a business. According to Forbes, 82% of smartphone users access the internet before ever going in-store for a purchase. They want to justify the purchase they are about to make by conducting ample research beforehand. Having a well-designed website helps build your credibility and keeps your store relevant enough to compete in consumer market research. As tricky as it may seem to get started, it’s actually quite easy! Sites like GoDaddy.com offer up DIY services and provide templates to easily get set up. Freelancers are also a great source for website design. Their expertise and independent services are a great method for help when budgets are tight!

2. Create Social Media Profiles (especially Facebook!)

Social media outlets are some of the biggest platforms for communication today. Studies show that more than half of the U.S. population uses Facebook. Having a profile on social media allows you to see what your customers are talking about, and gives them another place to contact you with questions, comments and suggestions.

3. Get On Google!

Almost every consumer’s first step in product research is a Google inquiry. It’s important to utilize SEO (search engine optimization) practices to help your store show up first on Google search results pages. Within a couple of seconds, consumers can see your store name, address, phone number, hours, and website URL. This makes it easy for them to find you and your products online, and adds even more credibility to your business.

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