Wed 16 / 10 / 24
Make your Online Presence more Professional
Is Your Online Presence Scaring Away Customers?
You’re great at what you do. You provide a valuable service, you’re passionate about your work, and you’re ready to take your small business to the next level. But there’s a problem: potential customers aren’t biting. They’re finding your competitors online, but not you.
Or worse, they are finding you, but something’s making them hesitate.
Your online presence is your storefront. It’s the first impression many clients will have of your business. A weak online presence can undermine your expertise and make potential clients question your credibility.
Here’s the truth: you could be losing customers without even realising it, and it might be due to these easily fixable online presence pitfalls. Here are some ways to make your online presence more professional:
That Email Address Needs an Upgrade
Let’s be honest, “businessname@gmail.com” doesn’t exactly scream “reliable professional.” A professional email address, like “jim@businessname.co.uk”, instantly boosts your credibility and shows you’re serious about your business. It separates your business communications from your personal life, making you look more organised and trustworthy.
Think about it: Ever see those vans covered in signage? What are they hiding behind those colours? Your email address is like your digital business card – make sure it represents the professional image you want to project.
Your Website: More Than Just a Pretty Face
In the age of smartphones, your website needs to be more than just a static online brochure. Over 55% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, and that number is only going up. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re excluding a huge chunk of potential customers.
Here’s the fix to Make your Online Presence more Professional:
- Ditch the Pop-Ups: Those annoying pop-ups that are hard to close on a small screen? They’re driving customers away.
- Embrace Thumb-Friendly Design: People use their thumbs to navigate on their phones. Make sure buttons and links are large enough and spaced out for easy clicking.
- Optimise for Mobile UX: Page load speed is crucial. No one wants to wait around for a slow website to load.
Branding: Consistency is Key
Imagine walking into a store where the decor is mismatched, the lighting is dim, and the staff are wearing different uniforms. You’d probably feel confused and unsure about the business. The same goes for your online presence.
Consistent branding across all platforms – your website, social media, email signatures – creates a unified and professional image. Use a professional headshot, high-quality images, and a consistent colour palette and font to reinforce your brand identity.
LinkedIn: Your Digital Resume
For service-based businesses, LinkedIn is a goldmine. It’s where potential clients go to find qualified professionals. A neglected LinkedIn profile is a missed opportunity to showcase your expertise and build trust.
Make your profile shine:
- Keep it updated: Ensure your experience, skills, and recommendations are current.
- Use a professional tone: Write in a clear and concise manner, avoiding jargon and slang.
- Network strategically: Connect with potential clients and other professionals in your industry.
Privacy Matters: Protect Your Rep
Think of your online presence as your digital storefront. You wouldn’t leave your physical store unlocked at night, would you? The same applies to your online accounts.
Review your privacy settings on all platforms and be mindful of what information you’re sharing publicly. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication to prevent hackers from compromising your accounts and damaging your online reputation.
Ready to Make your Online Presence more Professional?
Creating a professional online presence can feel overwhelming, especially if technology isn’t your strong suit. But it doesn’t have to be.
Pipeline Digital can help. We specialise in helping small businesses like yours build a strong and credible online presence. From website design and development to social media management and branding, we’ll take care of the technical details so you can focus on what you do best: serving your clients.
Check out some of our case studies
Check out our other tips and blogs
- Revenue Operations (RevOps) – Run your business like a finely tuned engine
- Increase Enquiries with a High-Converting Landing Page
- Are you using your CRM correctly?
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