Professional service providers like lawyers, doctors, CAs etc need to seriously consider going online to grow their businesses. Users are increasingly turning to the internet to find the services they are looking for. This includes local services. Google has responded to this trend by the launching Google Places. However, Places is just one piece of the puzzle. There is a lot more you can do online to generate more business.
Create a Free Website
Creating a website is like owing an office location where internet users can reach your business. You can read about the importance of a website on thousands of articles on the internet; however, here is what you will not find there – the option of free website makers. Free website makers allow you to create a basic website where you can easily upload information in the form of text, images and videos at no price. Some of the most popular free website makers are Wix, Weebly and Jimdo.
Keywords: The Secret to Online Traffic
Keywords refer to the search query that internet users type to search for specific information via search engines. Optimize the website content for keywords that are relevant for your business. For example, legal services in India, Indian legal services, lawyer in India can be good keywords for a legal business. To find good quality keywords, use the Google Adwords tool, which is available online for free. Use keywords in the title tag, Meta tags, headlines and intro paragraphs. Avoid the excessive usage of keywords, as this makes your content look unattractive.
Start Selling with Ecommerce
If you are serious about selling products online, opt for a paid website that allows online transactions. Such websites enable you to create an online shopping store where users can buy products or services by making payments through their credit cards, debit cards or PayPal accounts.
People Love Freebies
Add freebies on your website for users to download. For example, you can add an industry report or a case study imparting information. Internet researches show that a majority of the users participate in a meaningful quiz to test their knowledge. Add an interesting quiz to make people stay longer on your website.
A Blog a Day
A blog a day will establish your presence as an online expert in your field. While a website is dedicated to your business, a blog is more personalized approach to online marketing. Start writing blogs about the latest in your field, personal experiences, tips, and how-to topics.
Establish Identity on Forums
Forums are websites that allow users to discuss a topic. Look for popular forums that are dedicated to your industry or specialization. Answer queries posted by users and ask them to contact you for further information.
Optimize Social Media Presence
Social networking is the buzzword of this era. Take social networking profiles seriously. Facebook allows you to create a company profile page for your business. Use this page to enable existing and prospective clients stay connected to your business. Updates from the company profile page will work as a remainder to your clients. Also, use LinkedIn to connect with other professionals from the industry. This will help you to understand what they are doing differently.
Apart from these free promotional activities, you can opt for paid internet marketing through the Google advertising program. Enroll into this program and your business will get listed in the paid search results based on the keywords that you have chosen. Similarly, Facebook also allows paid advertising. While paid advertising is an easy way of generating sales, do not underestimate the importance of optimizing your online presence through free marketing strategies.
While the to do list above might seem intimidating, it is essential if you want your business to grow. Of course any half decent online marketing company can create your presence in a week or less at a cost of anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000....depending on the package you opt for. Take a look at the list of companies here, or simply google for one. Remember to check the credentials of the company you sign up with, as there are as many snake oil sellers as genuine companies out there.
While the to do list above might seem intimidating, it is essential if you want your business to grow. Of course any half decent online marketing company can create your presence in a week or less at a cost of anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000....depending on the package you opt for. Take a look at the list of companies here, or simply google for one. Remember to check the credentials of the company you sign up with, as there are as many snake oil sellers as genuine companies out there.
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