How to optimize your online presence
One of the most important things you can do for your business is to invest in optimizing your online presence. Your website or social accounts are powerful tools for reaching out and finding customers online using new content, search techniques, and social media ads and posts.
Here are three tips to make the most of your online presence, to help attract new customers, and to stay connected with existing customers year-round.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
If you’re wondering how some websites show up first on Google search results while others get pushed further down, search engine optimization (SEO) is the answer. SEO is the practice of adding keywords and phrases to your website that relate to the content on your site. Many websites have their own SEO programs, Be sure to check which programs your website builder offers and invest some time into optimizing your website!
Here are great articles to break down the process and help you get your page to the top of search results:
- 12 Essential SEO Tips for Beginners
- 11 Tips to Improve Your Websites Performance
- Most Important SEO Tips for Higher Rankings
Don’t have a website for your business yet? Here are 12 reasons why you should!
- Building an email list:
An email list is invaluable for connecting and engaging with customers year-round, especially during the slower seasons. Tools such as MailChimp, and Constant Contact are inexpensive and easy ways to begin email marketing. Many email marketing platforms are free for up to 2,000 subscribers, making them especially cost-effective for small businesses.
You can add a sign-up form on your website or, for those who promote their businesses on social media, create a landing page to link to your accounts. Be sure to add a call to action such as ‘stay connected’ or ‘sign up for offers’ and offer subscriber-only deals to incentivize email sign-ups.
Not convinced? Here’s even more compelling information on why email lists are so important. FACT: for every $1 spent on email marketing, about $36 is made in return.
- Staying active on social:
Whether you have a website or not, social media provides an easy and important way to connect with current and potential customers and showcase your business. Content pillars are a great way to organize what you should post regularly. Try picking a few from the list below, and use them to create your social content on a weekly or monthly basis:
- Feature a product/service
- Talk about your business/brand
- Promote an offer or sale
- Share a client/customer testimonial
- ‘Meet our Team’ employee highlights
- Answer FAQs
- Show behind the scenes of your business (ex: share how something is made)
- Host a contest or conduct a survey
Stories of Ascension is back with 6 brand-new videos!
Click to watch, and learn more about a few of the incredible businesses that successfully navigated the pandemic with Ascendus.
Donut Villa Diner offers Donut French Toast, Boston Cream Pancakes, Vegan/Gluten-Free menus, and everything in between.
Vegallia began when Corina, Vegallia’s Founder/CEO, found herself with a health issue that required her to stop eating dairy and sugar. They offer gelato that’s as good for you as it is delicious.
Chic Treatz is a traditional bakery offering cakes, pies, and pastries at an affordable price.
Get Ready Business Line of Credit
No FICO minimum! This line of credit product is designed for African American NY small business owners ready to improve their credit and invest in their business. The Get Ready Line of Credit starts at $500 for the first 6 months and grows to $5,000 with good repayment and completion of a credit action plan. Offered at 13.99%.
Small Business Flex Fund
Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the SBFF helps small businesses and nonprofits access funds at a competitive interest rate.
CT Small Business Boost Fund
Supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, this fund links Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits to financial support.
SOAR
The Southern Opportunity And Resilience (SOAR) Fund provides 4% loans up to $100,000 to small businesses and nonprofits to navigate and rebuild from COVID-19.
Childcare Business Development
Ascendus is now offering loans up to $50,000 for licensed childcare businesses at a 9.99% interest rate. Qualified Businesses can be located nationwide, excluding Vermont. If you have been in business for more than three years, you can access up to $20,000 in fast-track financing at the same interest rate within 48 hours. No paperwork is required to apply.
Rideshare Business Term Loan and Line of Credit
Loans up to $15,000 in financing for rideshare businesses are offered at 9.99%. Qualified businesses will be in CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, or RI. Or access a line of credit up to $10,000 in fast-track financing at the same interest rate.
RFLF
0% loans up to $50,000 with only $25 monthly payments for the first 12 months for restaurants creating safe and equitable work environments for their employees.
TrustPlus
One-on-one Personal Finance Coaching where and when you need it, available through our partnership with TrustPlus, a national nonprofit with three decades of experience.
Looking for more business resources? Check out our curation of resources designed to help minority-owned businesses flourish.