So, you’ve set-up shop, opened your doors, and even welcomed your first customer. Now what? How do you make sure that you have a steady flow of customers coming in and knowing about your products? One of the most important things you can do when starting your business is getting your name out there, and advertising can help you do just that.
Investing a fortune on advertising in every direction can be a waste of time and money if it’s not focused on your target market. Here are some ways to advertise your business on a budget that makes sense for you.
Get Tech Savvy or Hire Somebody Who Is
The first thing people do when looking for a business or product, is look it up online. And, if you’re not online, you’re missing out on reaching those customers. 50 percent of consumers say they are influenced by online content – so what are you waiting for?
Keep Your Website Up-to-Date
This is the best way to showcase what you do and why you do it. Not only will you have the chance to tell your customers about your business, but you can demonstrate your products and tell people about what makes you unique. If you have the time and tech savvy skills you can try do this yourself, but consider commissioning the help of a website designer. With close to 97 percent of consumers searching for businesses online, getting a website is crucial to the success of your business in the digital world. If you already have a website set up, it’s important to keep it up-to-date. Nothing is more of a turn off for a potential customer than an outdated and cluttered website.
Take Advantage of Business Listings
Sign-up for online directories like YP.ca, Weblocal.ca and Canadian Company Capabilities. You can start off with just the basics, such as an online business listing. Or,
SEO
Promote your website and use search engine optimization to make sure you rank higher in the search results.
Google AD Words
Hire an Adwords expert to setup your account and campaigns to target your spend to your target market. This is a wonderful cost effective way to drive traffic to your website.
