Clients often ask me ...
- What is a web presence?
- Why is it important?
- Do I already have one?
- Do I really need one?
- How is this different from my web site?
This is a complex question but I will attempt to offer an explanation that will help give an overview and explain why it is not only important - but critical to your business in today’s technologically-driven society.
The easiest and simplest way to think of a web presence is to imagine that it is your identity on the Internet. It is like your personality and the perception your customers have of your business or organization. The better you are perceived and the more you are liked the greater chance you will have to earn the customer’s business.
Every aspect of your online presence combines, in the customer’s mind, to form an opinion of your company. By controlling the input the customers receive you are actually controlling the conclusion or perception they develop about your company. Control of information is crucial and must be continually managed and updated.
Customers gather information from various sources: your website, your graphics, facebook, youtube, twitter, forums, blogs, chat rooms, review sites, and so on. Some of these outlets can be controlled entirely and some cannot. To maintain a positive web presence it is very important to make certain you are in control of as many aspects as possible while monitoring the aspects you cannot directly control.
It is key to project and active and positive image online. This is what your customers see and this is how they judge your company. Every aspect, down to the smallest detail, is important. When you are deciding on what type of web presence you want to portray - you must consider every single aspect. Every single aspect. No exceptions.
Ask yourself these questions ...
What does your website look like? Is it appealing? Are the graphics and images current? Do the images offer an accurate description of your business? Do customers feel secure when visiting your site? Do you actively engage your customers with social media like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Yelp, and other outlets? Do you have a high page rank with Google? Can customers even find your website if they are searching for it? Do you advertise locally or online, where up to 92% of your customers are shopping?
Your web presence should take all of these questions into account. Web Presence is a complete, total, and all-encompassing entity. It is everything about you and your company - online. In todays Internet-based culture it is something that cannot be ignored and should be expanded to its full potential.