Today’s post is from one of our new partners, Network Solutions. We’re pleased to introduce Shashi Bellamkonda as today’s guest author.
Expanding your markets using online tools
Chris Anderson, Executive Editor of Wired, said at the GrowSmartBiz Small Business conference last year that once a business has a website, it is global. Small businesses are always looking for new ways to expand their customer base and connect with customers. Using the Internet and the arsenal of tools that come with a Web presence is a great way to increase the reach of a small business. Those with more time than capital are creating their own websites and taking steps to ensure that they are found by search engines. Often, these steps include taking advantage of free or affordable online tools that boost their chances of being found by customers.
Jumping over the hurdle
Today only about 50% of small businesses have a website. Why? Many business owners are simply too intimidated by the prospect of starting an online business. Although getting started can be a major hurdle, it is one that must be cleared in order to explore the opportunities that the Internet has to offer.
When you’re ready to get started online, you will find it helpful to have a clear goal in mind. For your business website, that goal is likely business growth. As you create your website, keep in mind that it will function as a marketing tool for your business. Even the most basic website can play an important role in establishing your visibility online by providing a place for customers to find your contact information or a basic list of products or services.
The cost of creating a website varies. Your design options will include building your own website using a website builder tool or having a designer create a custom site for you. You may decide to start simple, then upgrade as your business grows.
As a special offer to Palo Alto Software customers, Network Solutions® has agreed to offer websites for $4.99/month (discount will display at checkout, only by clicking here).
Getting found around town
Local businesses share a common online goal: to drive customers from their website to their front door. Business listings in Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Yelp and Merchant Circle can help you achieve so-called local search visibility. These listings typically include a map that can make it easy for customers to find you. And while you can show up on a site like Merchant Circle without having a business website, you’re much better off having a website that gives more information about the products or services you offer.
How does local search work? Let’s say someone is hungry for pizza in Manassas, Virginia. They search “Pizza Manassas” on their mobile device and a list of business results appears. If the business they find has a website, they can look at a menu and use the phone number provided to place their order. Finally, they can refer to the address and map provided to pick up their food.
Businesses can make the most of the power of local search by having a website that includes maps, directions, a local phone number, contact information and more.
Network Solutions has agreed to offer their Local Search Visibility product for $19.99/month (normally $39.95/month). You must use this link to have the discount applied at checkout.
Connecting with your customers:
The results of a survey sponsored by Network Solutions® and the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business suggest that the number of small business owners using social media to connect with their customers is growing rapidly. The survey reported that small business use of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter has doubled from 12 percent to 24 percent in the past year. The highlights of the study emphasize the increasingly important role that social media is playing in the success of small businesses.
As more and more small businesses are discovering each day, social media can be a powerful tool for building and maintaining customer relationships. Blogs, social networks and forums help small business owners:
- Identify and attract new customers
- Develop higher awareness of their business in their target market
- Make more connections with existing customers
Follow Network Solutions on Twitter or visit our blog for more resources for small business owners.
Netsolcares
Growsmartbusiness blog
Shashi Bellamkonda works at the heart of Web hosting company, Network Solutions, as their first-ever ‘Social Media Swami’. In this leadership role he has helped Network Solutions aggressively move into the online space to actively listen to and interact with its customers. A self-proclaimed early adopter, prolific Twitterer, photographer, blogger, and product innovator, Shashi lives for technology, testing new innovations and helping people with small businesses to succeed.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Here at Del Mar College/SBDC, I conduct a couple of workshops on building your website and social networking for your small busness. So, thank you for this article. It is more than timely. It is good to hear my beliefs confirmed. For our website workshop, we use a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) partner with Homestead (Intuit). Although, most can go to the Homestead website and create their own website, we offer some additional assistance to ensure success in helping our clients create their business website. And, they do get some perks as well as some economic perks.
Also, I appreciated your discussion on “local search visibility”. I have used this feature and it is extremely helpful when visiting a new area.
– Thanks for a great article!!!
Thank you for sharing very valuable information. Great article.