Online Presence for Today’s businesses
Olalekan Dare
In the digital age, giving your business an online presence is absolutely essential.
Online presence could either be a website, an e-commerce platform, search engine marketing, a social media page, or a combination of all. Getting your company online will reap major benefits. As more people search online for the products and services they need as opposed to searching through a phone book. If they don’t see you there, you could be losing out on the opportunity to increase your customer base and get the word out about your business.
Ignoring this important potential marketing platform is akin to saying, “I don’t need any new business.”
Benefit of Online Presence
24 Hours Visibility & Accessibility:
The Internet never sleeps, and every portal you offer online gives your business a virtual 24-hour showroom. This allows potential customers to research your product or service after business hours, and in the privacy of their own home. If they are going to find your business, your business needs to be on the Web.
Customer service 
When customers can log onto your Web site and easily find the information they want-when they want it-their satisfaction increases which lead to the brand building.
Brand Building:
At its core, “brand building” actually means building a potential customer’s trust in your company or product. Providing an online presence not only gives a customer access to your product or service, but it also provides a way for the customer to “check out” your company. Online reviews, your interactions with other customers and the frequency and quality of your posts help to form a positive impression of your company in the potential customer’s mind, making a future sale more likely.
Read more about >> importance of brand identity
Competition:
A professional looking Web site can level the playing field for smaller companies trying to compete against larger enterprises.
Greater Audience:
Since the Internet encompasses a much larger area than the few miles local to your business’ office or store. Your Web presence reaches out to everyone who passes by your virtual doorstep, which could include people from right next door or in another country. Depending on your specific industry and offerings, this could open up a much wider customer base than relying on face-to-face interactions would.
Credibility:
When you can point customers, partners, even potential employees or investors to a Web site, it tells them you are a serious business.
Easier Selling and Marketing:
It’s a well-known marketing fact that people like to buy but don’t like to be sold. A well-written piece of copy for your products or services on your website allow buyers to make a more relaxed, informed decision to purchase, as opposed to feeling pressured by a possible pushy salesperson. Marketing your business is also easier and more far reaching, as the electronic format allows for a wider, more cost-effective distribution as opposed to traditional marketing, which usually included printing and mailing costs.
Just remember: whether you’re looking to build your brand or bring in more revenue, having an online presence will help you achieve your goal.
Check Out >> Digital branding | Web design | E-commerce Development
You can also read on forbes Beginner’s Guide to Establishing a Presence on low Budget