Many businesses start with a simple presence on a Facebook or Instagram page — and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just important to realise that you don’t have total control over those platforms and you’ll likely be limited in terms of what you can do there. Plus, most ecommerce marketplace sites take a cut of your sales. (Including Shopify)
Even if you are a brand, there is only limited information and functions you can do with social media pages, having your own website gives you a whole new world of ability of marketing your services or products.
Here are some important things to keep in mind in what it takes to get your business online:
Custom domain name. Your domain name is the heart of your business’s unique address on the web. It should tell people who you are and what you have to offer at a glance, direct them to your website, and help protect and promote your brand.
Website. Your website is your business’s online home. It’s where you tell your story, showcase products and services, and start to establish credibility and expand your reach.
Social media. Getting active on the social media & using digital marketing to reach your customers is key to building an online presence around your business. You can use sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube to market your products and services, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and, most important, build relationships with your customers.
Email. Branded email is an affordable and effective way to communicate with your customers and generate leads. We can help you get started on our own servers or Google/Microsoft
Local reviews and directories. You can inspire consumer confidence by garnering positive reviews on third-party sites and remaining current on business directories such as Google My Business.