Building a successful business online is more than just creating an online presence with a Website. That is just the beginning. Here are steps to take to ensure that your business is successful and profitable.
Website Development
A Website is an essential tool to promote your business, list your products or services, and help customers find you. Building a successful business online starts with a Website. Here are the items you need for a professional, effective Website:
- Create a domain name
- Sign up for Web hosting
- Create a logo
- Create Sitemap
- Select a WordPress Theme
- Customize the following features within the theme:
- Layout (sidebars, homepage content, etc.)
- Colors (header, background, page, links, etc.)
- Images (header image, background image)
- Menus (primary, secondary, pull downs)
- Sidebar widgets (social media follow/feeds, sign ups, about, newsletter, blog posts, etc.)
- Homepage settings
- Customize Footer with copyright
- Make sure image sizes are not too large
- Create a Google account for analytics
- Set up your domain name email addresses
- Add video – it is the best way to capture your audience
- Create a MailChimp account to collect email addresses and send out newsletters
- Add the following Plugins:
- Site backup
- Child theme
- Blog post subscribe
- Email/Newsletter Mailchimp
- Social share
- Social autopost
- Social media feeds
- Google analytics
- Yoast SEO
- Install catpcha security on “contact” page
- Configuring JetPack plugin for the following features
- Check spelling, style, grammar
- Speed up image load times
- Automatically share your blog posts to your social media
- Add “like” buttons to your content
- Allow comments
- Allow users to subscribe to your posts via email
- Show related content after posts
- Generate XML sitemaps
- Monitor site’s downtime
- Prevent and block malicious login attempts
Search Engine Optimization
Building a successful business online must include SEO. It is the best way to reach your target audience and help them find you. Utilizing the following strategies, you can increase your ranking on Google.
- Add Yoast SEO plugin
- Optimize the site using SEO
- Identify keywords so your target audience will find you
- Create on-site blog
- List business on Yelp
- Create Google Business Page
- Guest blogs
- External links to your site
Social Media
Social media is a creative way to drive traffic to your Website, engage with your audience, and increase followers, but you have to post interesting content consistently.
- Create social media accounts
- Post content daily to social media channels
- Grow social following and fan base
- Increase engagement
- Use appropriate hashtags to drive traffic to your accounts
- Search for and connect with new users in your target audience
- Respond to comments and message as needed
- Use photos/video to tell your story
- Network with influencers that share your niche
- Drive traffic to your website or blog
- Monitor analytics
Blogging
Blogging is the best way to keep your site relevant, increase your Google ranking and provide content to your followers. A blog is a must for successful business owners.
- Add blog to website
- Post to blog at least once a week; 600+ words
- Identify relevant # and keywords
- Write for SEO
Marketing
Building a successful business online includes marketing your business offline. Here are some ways to market your business offline:\
- Press releases
- Flyers
- Email/Newsletter service
- Drip Email
- Press release writing and distribution
- Brochures
- Flyers
- Newsletters (print or online)
- Email marketing
- Print Ads
- Advertorial
- Direct-mail Postcard
- Bio Writing
- Class/Product Description
Advertising
Drive traffic to your site by paying for ads:
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- Instagram Ads
- Twitter Ads
Monetization
Sell the following products on your website to increase your income. It’s not just enough to list them on your site, you need to continually promote them through social media, email, etc.:
- eCommerce
- Online courses (Teachable)
- Webinars
- Books/eBooks
- Subscriptions
- Sponsorships
- Affiliate ads (cj.com): Host ads on your site
- Affiliate Program: Pay others to promote your site