A strong online presence is absolutely essential for a business in this digital age. Whether it is in the form e-commerce platform, a website, social media page, blog or a combination of all four, getting your business online will reap many benefits. Potential customers expect to see you online, even if your company does not conduct business online. You will be losing out on the opportunity to increase your customer base if people don’t see your business online.
Whether you are doing business for years or setting up a business, customers should find your website and all your product and service information with just one click.
Today, almost everyone in Europe is online. Irish people spend an average of 28 hours per week online. 40% of that time is spent on social media channels. Also, in the past few years, Irish e-commerce witnessed strong consecutive annual revenue growth. So, that means your customers are online, and you need to be there as well.
Let’s take a look at a few of the many reasons why your business needs to establish its online presence:
- 24/7 Availability
Well, unlike traditional shops, online business is available 24/7. It enables your potential customers to find your products and services at any time of the day. Your online business will be accessible on a 24-hour basis, and customers can conveniently get the information whenever they want to. This is a vital benefit over an offline business where you have to wait until business hours.
- Showcase Products and Services
The Internet provides business with a platform to showcase what they offer. By sharing testimonials from clients on your website, or an album on a social media page with photos of your new products, you can easily spark and hold the interest of your prospective customers. It is the perfect way to let people know what you have to offer. Your customer will be able to know what you are all about with a few clicks.
- Build Relationships with Customers
Building a relationship is a vital thing when you are doing business online. The Internet gives your brand a voice; your customers can interact with your brand on a more personal level. It also gives you the opportunity to get to know your customers.
If your competitors have an online presence and you don’t, you will be missing out on an invaluable opportunity to connect and communicate with your target audience. Social media is a simple and effective way to get people interested in your brand.
- Reach a Wider Audience
The internet gives you access to a much larger audience that includes people within your location and beyond.
You can exponentially increase inbound traffic and enhance your customer base by linking to your website from social channels. Your company will be easily found by people who don’t yet know about your business but may get interested in what you do.
- Up-to-Date Information
Some of the small Irish businesses think that once they have a website, they can leave it for five years or so. Your business content needs to be fresh, up-to-date, and in conversational language. A well-designed and informative website with quality content enables customers to make informed purchasing choices. By regularly updating your online posts and interacting with customers will create a positive image for your business.
Now, according to report, 63% of Irish customers think a business looks outdated if it doesn’t have a website, and 80% of Irish customers agree that all businesses should have at least basic website.
So, in this digital age, businesses in Ireland must ensure that they are not left behind. When setting up a company, using this powerful marketing tool can help generate and nurture more leads. So, work with professionals who can help you establish a stable online presence.