The real challenge isn’t starting your business; it\’s about thriving in the industry. The competition is endless, so you need to have what it takes to outdo your competitors. In some ways, it’s even more challenging since the Internet and the world of social media came along. How do you rise to the top? Or to make it simple, how can you gain the attention of your customers? Here are several ways to make your business stand out online.
Define Your Brand
It’s important to understand how proper branding can help your company stand out. And for that, you’ll first need to answer the question, \”Who are we serving?\” This is how you identify your ideal audience or target market. If you have no idea how to determine this, make a buyer persona.
A buyer persona is a character that represents your ideal customer. For example, if you\’re producing and distributing apparel, you might visualize a teen boy, who likes to wear dark clothes with his favorite fantasy characters. Or, maybe a twenty-something IT consultant who owns every wireless device possible, if you\’re selling tech gadgets. You get the idea.
Creating a buyer persona works because it helps you narrow down your niche, and it’s easier to refine your marketing efforts. After all, you can\’t serve everyone who stumbles across your site, so it helps to be specific with what you’re offering.
Boost Visibility
If you want to stand out, improve your visibility. For starters, think of a name and logo that separates you from the rest. It\’s all about recognition. The more people recognize you, the wider your reach. This is how to gain the visibility that can eventually help you become more prominent than your competitors.
So, think of a catchy name. It should be descriptive and unique. Aside from that, create a clean, appealing logo. Consumers will more likely remember you through visuals than text.
Related Content: Get Branded! 10 Tips to Make Your Logo T-Shirts Stand Out
Build a Website
Your online strategy will remain incomplete without a website. No idea where to begin? For inspiration, you can browse WordPress, Wix, and Weebly, as well as other top hosting sites.
If you don\’t know anything about building a website, reach out to a web developer and designer. A pro can create a simple, professional website for you in no time.
Improve SEO
Now that you have your website set up, it\’s time to work on SEO. SEO, also known as \”Search Engine Optimization,\” can be used to improve your site\’s ranking and boost visibility in search engines. Simply put, this will help you connect with your target audience more quickly, which can eventually turn into conversions.
Improving SEO might be tricky. The trends and algorithm updates never end, so you really need to strategize. You can use online tools that help with keyword research in order to optimize your entire website, including your business listings. But if you find it too overwhelming, you can always work with an SEO consultant.
Create Compelling Content
These days, creating content is no longer enough. If you want to make your business stand out, ensure your content is informative, compelling, or entertaining. It needs to be something that adds value, or people won’t be interested in it.
So, how does that work? One option is to be a leader in your niche by becoming a source of how-to content. If you\’re in the fashion industry, create a blog on apparel tips. Or, if you have a food business, you can post recipes on your site.
Related Content: Custom Apparel Trends of 2020
Your content doesn\’t have to be limited to text, though. Add visuals like images, infographics, and video, too. Don’t forget to include your brand logo on the list! It can draw more traffic to your site, affecting your visibility and ranking.
Use Social Media
People won\’t always look for you online. Mostly, you have to meet them in their virtual communities and let them know your company exists. These days, you have to enter the world of social media.
In 2019, there were more than 246 million Americans with social media accounts, and that figure has only grown. You can definitely find your customers on those platforms.
So, get started with your social media campaign. Browse some sites and channels you want to use for your company, and take note of them. Once you have a few, try running smaller campaigns, and test what works and what doesn\’t. Keep in mind that it’s not necessary to use every social media platform you come across on the Web.
Ultimately, don\’t spam with ads or salesy offers. Engage with your audience. It\’s one of the most effective ways to make your business stand out from others.
Become Mobile-Friendly
Of course, the term \”online\” is not limited to computers, laptops, or other devices with large screens. You shouldn\’t overlook the power and popularity of smartphones.
Recently, search engines have stressed the importance of \”mobile-friendliness\” among websites. This is beneficial for consumers who tend to search while they’re on the go. So, if your website is not mobile-friendly, you\’ll lose out.
Feature Your Customer Reviews
If you want to stand out from the rest, let everyone know how much people love your products and services. Featuring customer reviews is one of the best ways to do that. It doesn\’t even matter whether you only have a website, a social media campaign, or an e-commerce profile. You can post reviews to gain trust and increase your sales.
Just make sure that you\’re highlighting authentic reviews from real consumers. It\’s a lot easier to spot fake reviews now.
Customized Products for Your Brand
There are a lot of ways to make your business stand out. And, these factors are great pointers to start. If you need help, reach out to us. At BYOG, we can help you build your brand and improve your visibility. We offer high-quality, affordable products that can be customized with your brand logo. For more information, give us a ring at (925) 829-3950.
