In recent times it has become absolutely essential for businesses to have an online presence in order to connect with their customers and remain visible in the marketplace. Which is why we have put together this guide to help you take your offline business online.

With many offline businesses being forced to close their stores, innovation & adaptability has become absolutely essential to a business’ survival. The way we did business yesterday in many cases will not work for the foreseeable future.

In this post we’ll discuss the 5 basic digital tools you’ll need in order to catapult your offline business into the online realm.

Stepping into the Unknown

The thought of navigating the digital realm can be daunting for brick-and-mortar business owners which is why we have put together this list of the tools you’ll need to get you started on your journey.

Social Media

One of the easiest first steps for taking your business online is to set up a social media presence. Social Media is the fastest growing form of marketing in the world. People are increasingly interacting with brands through social media platforms. In the same way that businesses are expected to have a website to learn about their product offering, people today expect to be able to interact with brands through social media.

Use of all the major platforms, including Facebook, Twitter & Instagram, is completely free, so it’s easy for businesses to join & connect with a large audience of potential customers. Like your website, your Social Media profile reflects your brand and should be created to a high standard, from the text you use to your cover graphic & profile picture.

Google My Business

For any local business wanting an online presence, Google My Business is crucial. It will increase your online visibility to local search users in your area & on Google maps.

Just like Facebook & Instagram you’ll need to create an account & complete your business details. Before your listing is activated you’ll need to complete the verification process.

You don’t have to have a website before creating a Google My Business Listing, which makes this a simple step to get some visibility quickly.

Online Business Directories

Creating local citations or business directory listings is a powerful step in your online transition. These local listings are important for local Search Engine Optimization. They are a reference to your business on various other websites across the internet & will include a combination of your business name, address, postal code and website address.

A Website

When moving your offline business online, a website should be the first step. This is the single most important digital tool for any online business.

Your website is your brand and, in the online realm, the credibility of your business is heavily reliant on the quality of your website. This is your store front & your concierge, the window into your business where potential customers can learn everything they need to know in order to make an informed purchasing decision from the comfort of their home.

When combined with an online store and a blog, your website can become an even more powerful tool in your digital toolbox.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is still one of the most popular and effective marketing tools used by small businesses to keep in constant contact with their customers & generate new leads.

This is not about spamming your contact list. When done effectively, E-mail marketing involves a process of sending highly targeted and personalized messages to contacts who have expressed a genuine interest. This is done either as an email blast to numerous contacts all at once, or in a pre-planned & automated series of emails. Providing your subscribers with valuable content that’s aligned with their interest & worth their time spent reading it.

Whilst there are a variety of software options available, this can be a complex process for people new to the idea and it is usually best to enlist the help of a professional.

With the right software & setup you’ll be able to easily gather new subscribers, schedule campaigns, setup workflows and, most importantly, measure your success.

Get started, take your offline business online

Moving your business online is a daunting task if you’re not comfortable with the more technical aspects of the online world. This is why we would always suggest starting with your social media profiles and then getting your Google Business Listing up and running. Local business directories are also a quick and easy step to get yourself listed online.

When it comes to your website & your email marketing it is always best to enlist the help of a professional to get you going and to support you through your online journey.

We’re here to help and will be releasing a series of useful articles in the coming weeks to assist you in your journey. Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date.

Let us know what you think in the comments below