Today’s world is nothing if not digital. As of 2017, there were roughly 3.57 billion internet users worldwide, with an increase of over 193 million from the year prior. What’s more, this number is only set to increase, as time goes on. If your business doesn’t already have an online presence, it could risk becoming obsolete in this ever more competitive market.

Going online is one step towards running a successful virtual business. You will also need to have a proper strategy that will put you in motion. An online marketing campaign is yet another step in achieving digital greatness. But before you can get there, there you will need to have a firm understanding of all the necessary components that revolve around a strong online presence.

The Almighty Website

One needs to look at a website as the central hub that connects all of your online activities. Whatever digital marketing strategies you will end up using, be it social media, email, content, inbound, or a combination of these, in the end, all the potential customers that come out of them will be funnelled directly to your website.

In the 21st-century digital era, a website is the equivalent of landlines of the 20th. Much of your customer interaction that will take place will happen here. But aside from that, your site will also allow you to advertise your products and services, and you can hold conversations with experts, sell your products, make and receive payments, provide content, etc. In short, a website will be your office that operates in the digital environment.

Review Sites

Review sites can do wonders for those who are now forming their online presence. In short, these are websites that provide consumers with reviews and customer feedback about various things including products, services, and companies. You can add your products to these websites for review and get customer feedback in return.

Not only will this increase your online presence, but it will also give you a series of other benefits as well. Among these, we have things like free advertising, which is always welcome.

Secondly, your website will see an increase in its search engine results. The more your business or product is mentioned in these reviews, the higher your standing will be. They will also provide you with a better relationship with your customers, some word-of-mouth recommendations, and the all-important customer feedback that will allow you to perfect both your products and the way you operate.

Diving into Social Media

If we are to look at a website as the digital office of a company, social media is the central square of the online world. People from all around the globe congregate here, communicating and sharing information with one another. It should go without saying that your next immediate move is to build your social media presence.

The possibilities that can be found on these social media platforms can be endless, but they do not come without peril. Be it Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn, each has a different way of doing things and by extension, draws in a diverse crowd. Depending on the nature of your business and industry, some may prove to be more useful than others.

Facebook, for instance, is excellent for reach, customer engagement, views, impressions and driving traffic to your website. Instagram, on the other hand, is a highly visual social platform that’s particularly suited for various lifestyle industries such as food, travel, fitness, fashion, interior design, and pretty much anything else that looks good in photos. Twitter is great for engaging with your customers, answering their questions and general engagement. LinkedIn, however, is the professional of the bunch, particularly suited for B2Bs.

Conclusion

Having an online presence in this day and age is no longer a luxury or a trend but a necessity. There are plenty of businesses out there that operate solely on the internet and with good reason too. Arguably,  the internet is the most significant invention of the last hundred years. It will continue to have an ever more substantial influence over our lives and companies that do not have an online presence risk becoming irrelevant and obsolete.

Sincerely,