Whether you’re a freelancer or a business owner, generating business online is likely to be a key part of your strategy. This is true whatever industry you’re working in. If you’re not able to generate business online, then you’re probably going to be in trouble.
That many businesses and services are now exclusively online based only serves to heighten the urgency in this area.
By now, most people understand that they need to generate business online. Unfortunately, those who truly understand what it is they need to do, and how they can maximize their online potential, remain in the minority. Here are some top tips that will help you generate business online.
Know Where You’re Going
What do you want to achieve from your online business? Are you looking to generate online revenue before taking your customers offline and continuing a relationship there? Do you want to sell products or services directly, or are you hoping to generate enquiries that you can then use to tailor your offer to each individual customer?
If you know where you’re going and what you want to achieve, most of the other aspects of generating online business will naturally fall into place.
Research Yourself
In business, it is all too easy to stand aside and say, “Yeah, my idea is great and will be successful.” That might be the case, but you aren’t going to know that until you’ve researched it thoroughly.
If you know the market and know what is already out there, you’ll stand a far greater chance of generating more business, as you can adapt what you do accordingly.
Use the Professionals
Unsurprisingly, your website is your key tool for generating online business. One thing several small business or entrepreneur websites suffer from, however, is that they simply look awful.
It can be tempting to use cheap web design, hosting, and a less-than-reputable SEO agency, but all this will do is mean barely anyone finds you via organic search, and of those that do, barely any of them will actually want to do business with you, if your website loads.
Generating business online is all about appearing to be as professional and as big a brand as possible. If you’re telling people, “Look at how small I am, I have the rubbish website to prove it,” then they will get the message!
Focus on Social Media
While SEO can cost a lot of money if you want a strong, credible string of activities to take place bearing your sites’ name, you can take advantage of social media without paying anything most of the time.
The best approach to take is to use a combination of portfolio style networks as well as the more informal ones, as this will give you the best opportunity to build a diverse client base. Don’t just automatically think “LinkedIn” for the portfolio, either.
An Enthuse online portfolio allows you to feature the best of yourself from around the internet, link to current projects, and direct people to your other social pages.
Generating Business Online
Building online revenues isn’t easy, but by following these guidelines and acting as if you’re a big business, you’ll have every opportunity to succeed. Know your goals and understand the pathway to achieving them, and nothing can stand in your way.
Featured images:
License: Royalty Free or iStock
source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900430804.jpg
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900439612.jpg
Teo Alvin is a business expert and investor who mentors several small businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers, all of whom are looking to increase their online business opportunities.