If you, as a small business, are at all concerned about being “found” online easily—meaning found by doing a search using a search engine, then here are some important things to consider.
A website is the first step in creating a strong web presence, and while having a website is very important, it is even more important to have a presence in multiple places.
For example, it can be as simple as posting your business profile on sites such as manta.com or 360.yellowpages.ca (for Canadian businesses). This helps to create backlinks to your web site—which is your “home base”-- so be sure to include your domain name when filling out your business profiles.
Another way you can make your business more visible to the online community is by getting involved in social media, or creating a blog. I would highly recommend both.
You may think that a having a blog, or engaging in social media sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn are time wasters, but honestly, they are quite the opposite. I'm sure some businesses are doing very well without the help of social media, but think of how much better your business could be doing!
By taking these simple steps, you not only become even more visible online, but you create many more sales opportunities, build a positive authority online, and help control your search rankings! Here are 2 great articles regarding the importance of Websites and Social Media:
5 Benefits of Having a Website http://goo.gl/JE8wQ
47% of Small Businesses Still Not Using Social Media http://goo.gl/cu2EW