The current coronavirus pandemic has severely affected the world, with thousands of businesses across all sectors still feeling the repercussions. Many of these businesses had to shut down completely, others temporarily, and just a few managed to thrive using digital platforms. So at this point you might be asking, how did these brands launch a business online?
The new normal relies on remote operations due to safety guidelines required to combat the spread of the pandemic.
As such, companies who wished to survive had no choice but to take their business onto the digital world, banking on solid online strategies.
If you’re thinking about how to launch a business online, then here are a few tips and strategies to follow!
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Choose The Platform That Best Suits Your Business
Are you looking for an online platform to launch a business online? There are many. Be patient in evaluating which online platform can best help your business reach its goals.
First, it’s essential to determine which platform works best for your business to not waste effort and resources on non-compatible platforms.
If you want to engage an audience with an easy-to-use and accessible platform, you can try WordPress to build your webpage. WordPress is the most-used online platform by businesses because it’s easy to use and is customized.
Many online businesses also use the software as a service platform to deliver applications over the internet, such as Netflix, Salesforce, and Google Apps.
The SaaS platform is a good fit for companies looking for a low-cost yet effective entry into the online marketplace.
Learn How To Use And Optimize SEO Techniques
If you want your online business to succeed, your online web page needs to generate a significant amount of web traffic.
The more web traffic your site gets, the higher the chances of a customer making a purchase. And one of the best ways to improve web traffic is by using SEO strategies.
A good SEO practice means building up your company website with high-quality content that utilizes the right keywords.
These keywords are crucial in improving how your website ranks in search engine results. A higher ranking means better visibility and brand awareness for your business.
Read about SEO with “Grow Your Galactic Empire with SEO”, our comprehensive guide for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs.
Before Launching Your Business Online, Check Your Website Works On Mobile Devices
A study involving more than 3,400 customers shows a 30% increase in the chances of buying online in 2020 than in 2019.
The pandemic is part in this statistic as people don’t want to risk their safety by buying things personally. Buying things online isn’t only the most convenient choice right now. It’s also the safest.
The same study notes that of these online buyers, a whopping 72% used mobile devices to complete their purchases. Needless to say, if you want people to buy from your website, it should look just as good on mobile as it does on a computer.
In fact, given how dominant mobile is, it would be better to optimize your website for mobile devices over computers.
Learn more about web design with “Well-Designed Websites Are Mission Critical”, our guide for business owners, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs.
Always Keep Up With the Trends On Social Media
According to David Sack, the founder of Yammer, “there is something artificial when everyone is agreeing with each other. It’s useful to indulge people who don’t agree, and see their viewpoint or force yourself to explain things better.”
Social media is one of the most influential platforms in the digital world. By maintaining ties to social media and its trends, you can engage with more customers and further build your brand.
However, it’s still recommended to create a separate website for your business instead of launching it primarily on social media. It’s better to use social media as a support system to promote your business and increase awareness.
Focus on your website first, but always keep an eye open for what people are talking about on social media. This way you can keep your online content relevant and up-to-date.
In fact, Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, once famously said, “one of the things I tend to do is open myself up to a variety of voices. I try to expose myself to the kind of culture shock that occurs when you talk to people who speak a different language.”
Create a Unique Branding Style for Better Identification
Joanna McFarland, the co-founder of HopSkipDrive, once said, “it’s important to realize that brand is much more than a logo and slogan. A brand is who your company is: how you function and make decisions.”
When many businesses bring their products and services online, having a unique branding style that customers can remember is as crucial as ever.
Make sure to put on your creative hat in customizing your website so it appears uniquely attractive while also user-friendly.
Your logo should also be well-designed to reflect your business and be memorable enough for your page’s visitors.
While website design is essential in branding, make sure that your content is just as good, if not better. Your website should attract customers to visit it, but your content should be exceptional to make them stay and complete a purchase.
Want to learn more about brand management? Go to “Branding: Set Phasers To Stunning”, our helpful guide to brand development.
Monitor Your Site Statistics and Adjust Strategies Accordingly
Steve Ells, founder and co-CEO of Chipotle, once said, “I’m always tweaking, always trying to make it better, constantly moving the levers and dials.”
Since your website will be your top source of customers once you go online, it only makes sense that you monitor its progress from time to time.
You can use several tools to check the metrics of your website, such as SEMrush, Google Analytics, and AHREFs. Be sure to maximize your online resources to find out ways to improve your website.
Note that your adjustments and course corrections should not be limited to just your website or your overall marketing strategy. You may also want to fine-tune your business model, get tactical with your campaigns or realign your brand according to the changing times.
“Five days a week, I read my goals before I go to sleep and when I wake up,” shares Shark Tank shark Daymond John, founder, president, and CEO of FUBU. “There are ten goals around health, family, and business with expiration dates, and I update them every six months.”
A Final Word About How To Launch A Business Online
Transferring your business into the digital market is not an easy task. The online marketplace is a significantly different field. In fact, you need to practice patience as you continuously improve your website and increase your brand awareness.
Online businesses have risen in demand as customers are trying their best to adapt to these uncertain times. To succeed in your online endeavor, you need to support your client’s needs by adjusting to their priorities.
For example, restaurants have started frozen goods since they won’t cook for a physically present customer base at this time. Some food businesses have shifted to takeaway options so that their customers can continue enjoying their food at home.
The one thing that online businesses have in common with physical retail is that the customer’s needs always come first. If you want your business to succeed, serve your customers as best as possible while adhering to their new standards.
