When business is quiet – get busy
WITH the drop in retail trading that invariably follows Christmas and the new year sales, it’s an opportune time to get your small business digitally sorted.
Our latest research on small and medium-sized enterprises shows that those who use digital tools report higher levels of business confidence.
If you’re unsure where to start, add the following to your to-do list:
■ Tidy your website. Complete a quick information audit to ensure your site is up-to-date and amend the outdated sections.
Quick ways to refresh your site include uploading some new photos and rewriting your company blurb.
If you have a little more time, refresh the home page to give it a new look.
Also, research latest trends for inspiration and to understand what consumers look for.
■ Boost your social media presence. Our research shows social media is the most popular digital method SMEs use to reach new customers, followed by email marketing and search engine optimisation.
Use the slower trading period to bolster your social media activity and develop a content plan for the next three months.
■ Build your digital network. While you’re planning your content, reach out to your business partners and biggest supporters and ask them to share your social activity.
See if you can contribute a guest post on another site to help build your customer base.
■ Get SEO savvy. Help your customers find you by thinking of what keywords they would use in a search, and check that those phrases are prominent on your site. Update your website regularly and remove anything that slows down your site.
■ Upgrade your data solutions. Use cloud-based solutions to run your business from anywhere, anytime. You can access your information from any device and be confident your data is protected from computer theft or natural disaster.
Making these few quick fixes can make a big difference to your business performance.
Our latest research on small and medium-sized enterprises shows that those who use digital tools report higher levels of business confidence.
For all your banking needs, visit your nearest Suncorp Bank branch or phone 131 175.