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The internet brought about several changes to our world as we use to know it. It has successfully connected every nook and crannies of the world and has also gone the extra mile to makes man’s existence worthwhile. The benefits of the internet have been incorporated into every sphere of man's life ranging from sharing of information, connecting people, and even the way and manner we engage in businesses. Virtually more than half of the world population is on the internet, and this is a large market for every business to thrive. Out of this vast number of people on the internet, a right amount of these individuals are in search of information or product to buy.
The rate at which people need information so severely is evident in the way Google (the world’s number search engine) receives about 40, 000 search queries per second. In the search results, Google only takes note of businesses that have an online presence to present to the potential customers as an answer to their query. Ranking high on Google search for related keywords is equivalent to pitching your business on the busiest road in the world.
Having an online presence for a modern business is not only essential but also a necessity in this digital era. The world and its market have moved from the traditional shops we see in strategic locations for a nicely designed website which can be accessed from anywhere in the world. No matter how large or small your business is, you need the impact and benefits of an online presence to conquer the market.
It has been observed that the more we get technologically savvy, the more we depend on the benefits of the internet to assist us in making our lives easier. With smart devices, we can now do virtually everything within the comfort of our homes, and this has increased the need for businesses with an online presence. A business with an online presence is bound to create an unexplainable trust factor among customers thus making the company more viable and genuine to them.
There are quite a handful of reasons why your business needs an online presence, but for this article, we shall limit it to the following;
Increased access to Customers
No business can survive without a customer’s patronage. At the moment, almost everyone is equipped with a smart device (phones, iPads, Tablets and even PCs) which means they have direct access to information available on the web. By having an online presence in the form of websites, social media accounts or even channels helps increase your visibility to customers thus increasing the rate at which they pay attention to your business. Your site is your gateway to the digital world, and this can give your business the advantage of being able to access customers over a wide range of locations.
Improves your Brand
Going online while trying to build your brand name and image goes a long way in assisting you to make the right decisions. Your online presence will help your business have the opportunity to increase its reach and can easily showcase what you have to offer in the form of products and services. A good content combined with a beautiful online presence presents your brand as the best solution to your clients’ problems thus increasing your overall relevance in the market.
You have a Global Reach
Establishing an online presence assists your business in breaking the barriers placed by time and distance. Before the invention of the internet, one of the major challenges the traditional business has faced is the ability to have a global reach. With an online presence, customers all over the world can comfortably access your business from the comfort of their homes, and with an all round the clock availability, you stand a chance of reaching out to customers from every city in the world.
Click here to know Building online presence for a small business: Tips and Tricks.
Potential to grow
Business growth is one of the most essential and valued possession of any business. An online presence allows you to interact with your customers to know exactly how they feel about the services you render. These positive criticisms will open your eyes to see what you need to do differently to win over the customer’s loyalty and confidence. Your online presence gives you the chance to engage your customers' valuable discussions to know what they want and how to satisfy their needs best.
Conclusion
Having an online presence is a necessity in this digital era. Any business that is profit and growth-oriented ought to have an online presence where it can easily interact with customers, serve their needs and also inform them about the latest happenings that relate to the services you offer.