One of the setbacks of being an entrepreneur is having to bring in your own customers. For some, this can be challenging. Sometimes, fliers and word of mouth just isn’t enough to keep the customers and the profits flowing in. Every home business owner has to face this fact eventually, and luckily for them, there are tons of resources and ways to use the internet to expand your home business.
Your Internet Presence
The internet should be your best friend. When running a home business, your client reach is as big as you make it, and the internet allows you to expand your reach across borders and any amount of distance. Not only can you utilize the internet to market your business locally, but you can use it to expand your reach and gain clientèle from across the world. Whether you advertise your services and provide them remotely, or you ship out your inventory across the country, using the internet will open up endless possibilities to your home business. You can set up a website for your home business, and even include an online store that allows anyone to buy your products. When making your website, it is important to have detailed, Search Engine Optimized content. You can do this yourself by adding in the keywords, but you can always hire someone to create SEO content for you. When it comes to making a website, I highly recommend using WordPress, as it is user friendly, and has a free version. Many hosts use WordPress designer for their sites. For more information, or to start your site today, visit WordPress!
Advertising Online
As you know, the internet has become a main source of information for people across the world. Giving yourself a strong internet presence is key to bringing in more customers using the internet. The first thing you should do, which is simple and free, is to advertise on free sites, such as Craigslist or any local site your community may frequent. This takes a little time, but will be worth it in the end! The second thing you should do, is to make certain you have detailed information about your business on the web. You can make a website, as I said before, or, if you have a place of business, get it listed. Having a place page on Google Places, the Yellow Pages, Yelp, and other directories will definitely increase your clientèle. A quick and easy way to list your business on lots of directories at once is to use a company like Yext.com who will take your information and send it out to all the directories for a fee. This can save hours of filling out online forms and money as each individual directory may charge a fee.
Social Media
Utilizing social media outlets to advertise your business is the most effective way to connect with people and gain clientèle. Most people are on at least one social networking site, and by creating an account to represent your business, you have to opportunity to connect with all of these people. It is a wonderful way to network, as well as a wonderful way to keep your business in the forefront of potential customer’s minds. By frequently updating your Twitter or your Facebook or other account, your updates are being seen by all of the people you connect with. Also, you can sign up for Facebook Ads or Google AdWords, and pay a small fee to have your website or page advertised around the web.
Doing the simple things listed above can make a huge impact on your business. Not only will you reach more customers, but you will be able to provide more details to a potential customer and encourage them to come in. Your reach will expand beyond anything normal advertising could ever get you, and you will be able to increase your clientèle, your profits, and your popularity.
This article was written on behalf of Traveling Vineyard. Love wine and want to start a home business? Turn your passion for wine into a rewarding self employment career with the Traveling Vineyard home business program!