There are 4.66 billion active internet users around the world, spending an average of 7 hours a day online. This statistics alone is reason enough to boost and maintain a strong online presence for your business. But what exactly do we mean by online presence?

Online presence is not the mere existence online. Meaning, it is not enough that you have a Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn account — online presence is a lot deeper than that. A strong online presence involves the kind of content you produce and its impact on your audience, your standing in search engines and social media algorithms, and the users’ perception of your business online. The strength of your business’s online presence is very much tied with credibility, visibility, and reputation. 

Now, how do you promote your brand and stand out amidst the noisy and saturated cyberspace? Here are a few strategies you can take.

Lure them with your website

Let’s start with the most basic — your website. A good web design builds trust in the business. A Stanford research suggests that 75% of users judge a company’s credibility by its website. Make sure that your website looks modern, attractive, and — this is very important in this day and age — optimized for mobile devices. This means that your pages must be fast-loading and light, and your images and mark-up codes are well-structured for both desktop and mobile versions. Make your website fun and professional at the same time. Utilize fonts, colors, videos, and texts that are relevant to your brand. 

SEO your way to the top

Not everyone invests in SEO and this is a shame since search engine optimization is actually your way to the first page of Google, which is the best indicator of online presence. Audit your website to know where you stand in terms of SEO, and go from there. Research keywords related to your business — your products and services — and incorporate them into your pages and content. One of the most reliable SEO practices is creating quality and keyword-targeted content. Regularly produce content, like blog articles, and optimize them for SEO via relevant keywords. Build and maintain good relationships with bloggers, journalists, and influencers. It may take a while before you can reap the fruits of your SEO labor, but it is definitely worth the effort and investment. 

Increase your social media presence

Research suggests that after visiting and following a company’s social media page, most users visit the brand’s website, buy their products or get their services, and recommend them to family and friends. Now, how do you make sure that you use your social media accounts to your advantage?

• Focus on quality, not quantity. There are so many social media platforms available now, but it doesn’t mean that you have to use them all. Engagement is key — so focus on activity, rather than handling too many social media pages. 
• Engage your audience. A huge following does not necessarily mean a robust social media presence. Focus your efforts in building a strong, niche audience who is very much interested in your content and offers — this way you get more likes, comments, and shares. Gain customer insights by interacting with customers who leave reviews, comments, and suggestions.
• Make them share your content. Your goal is to expand your reach. Post content that is easily consumed and link-free such as photos, infographics, or quotes. Most users do not want to be directed to a new page when they click on a content, so make sure your message is presented concisely. Incorporate emotions in your content, as well as interesting stats and attractive images. 

Invest in paid ads

If you want to prominently show up in search engines such as Google, paid advertising is key. SEO helps you target audiences via keywords, but paid ads give a more layered approach to your targeting through a number of criteria. Here are a few options for you:

• Social media ads. Users don’t really intend to search for products and services on social media, but you can take advantage of its targeting capabilities and the creative freedom it allows when it comes to advertising.
• Search engine ads. These will not only land you on top of the page, but can also help you reach your target customers. 
• Display ads. They may not garner the engagement that social media and Google ads do, but they help your customers get familiar and remember your brand. 

5. Create interactive content

You aim for brand recall, so make sure that you present your products and services creatively. Quizzes are still a very great way to engage customers. For example, if you are selling indoor plants, a quiz called “What Kind of Plant Parent Are You?” can surely be of interest to your audience. Level it up by coming up with a tool that would simulate how a plant would look like in different parts of their room or house. This may require the help of your development team, but it’s definitely worth the investment.

Final Thoughts

Upping your online presence at a time when everyone and everything is online is surely a great business strategy, which is why it takes planning and brainstorming on your team’s part to do it successfully. The list above is not exhaustive, but it is a good starting point.