This year’s Stories of Ascension video series is underway!
Get ready to be inspired by six additional client stories, spotlighting businesses across the East Coast that have transformed their Ascendus loans into remarkable success stories.
5 Steps to Improve Your Online Presence for Business Success
In today’s dynamic world of online commerce, cultivating your digital footprint is not just an option—it’s a must. Your online presence is a gateway to potential customers, shaping their perception of your business and influencing their choices. Here are a few key areas to focus on when building and improving your business’s presence and reputation online:
- Consistent and High-Quality Content
Provide valuable content that resonates with your audience. Regular blog posts, social media updates, and engaging visuals can establish your expertise and keep customers returning. - Engage with Your Audience
Interact with your customers on social media and respond promptly to their queries and feedback. Engaging conversations foster a loyal community and demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction. - Online Reviews and Testimonials
Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and testimonials. Authentic feedback builds credibility and trust among potential customers. Ensure you stay up-to-date with any reviews on Google, Yelp, Glassdoor, etc., and respond to reviews accordingly in a professional, timely manner. Thank people for taking the time to leave positive feedback! - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Optimize your website and content to rank higher in search engine results. Relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and quality backlinks can significantly boost your online visibility. Yoast is an excellent tool for SEO. If you manage your site, check your key pages to see if your data for search is correctly added, and re-index your site with search engines. Here’s how for Google and Bing/Yahoo. - Monitor and Manage Online Presence
Use reputation management tools to keep track of your online reputation. Address negative feedback constructively and learn from it to continually improve.
Why Your Online Reputation Matters
Your business’s digital reputation has a tangible impact on your success:
- 87% of consumers trust online reviews when making local business decisions. Positive reviews can differentiate between gaining a new customer and losing out. (Source: BrightLocal)
- Google considers your average rating from online reviews. More positive reviews mean a higher average rating, potentially improving your online visibility. (Source: BrightLocal)
- Review signals, like quantity and recency, affect your search engine ranking. Higher rankings lead to increased online visibility and organic traffic. (Source: Moz)
- 69% of consumers consider reviews older than three months irrelevant. Fresh reviews are crucial for ranking high in local searches and showing up on maps. (Source: Search Engine Land)
Embracing the ever-growing digital landscape is key to continuing growth and success in the business world. When it comes to cultivating an impactful and positive digital footprint, focus on one area at a time, and focus on progress over perfection.
Click to watch, and learn more about the incredible businesses that successfully navigated the pandemic with Ascendus.
The Luxe Travel Plug is a luxury travel agency that curates personalized and unforgettable travel experiences for black women. They offer customized itineraries, top-rated accommodations, and expert guides to ensure their clients have the ultimate travel experience, including hosting 7-12 yearly group trips for their Luxe Travel Club.
The Best Blue Velvet Cupcakes is a gourmet bakery in Lakeland, Florida. They specialize in moist, melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes in various flavors, including gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options. They also offer catering and custom orders for events of all sizes.
Stuart Cinema is an independent movie theater, community center, and monetizing warehouse for artists in Brooklyn, New York. They show current, independent, and classic films, serve food, provide free WiFi, and host private events.
Need a loan, line of credit, or just some personal finance coaching to help your business grow?
Check out these products and resources designed for your needs.
Business Term Loan
For small business owners who need money to grow their business, Ascendus offers loans from $500 – $50,000. Qualified businesses will be located nationwide, except Vermont.
Read More
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.
Read More
Childcare Business Development
Qualified Businesses can be found nationwide, excluding Vermont. If you have been in business for more than three years, you can access up to $25,000 in fast-track financing at the same interest rate within 48 hours. No paperwork is needed to apply.
Read More
Rideshare Business Term Loan
Loans up to $15,000 in financing for rideshare businesses are offered at 13.99%.
Read More
Business Line of Credit
Access a line of credit up to $25,000 in fast-track financing at a 13.99% interest rate.
Read More
New York Forward Loan Fund 2.0
Up to $150,000 with a fixed interest rate for the lifetime of the loan. Eligible to New York small businesses only.
Read More
Entrepreneurs of Color Fund
Loans up to $250,000 at 9.99%. Eligible to small business owners in any state, excluding Vermont. Must be 51% or more owned by an entrepreneur of color.
Read More
“Get Ready” Business Line of Credit
No FICO minimum! This line of credit product is designed for African American small business owners ready to improve their credit and invest in their business. $5,000 offered at 13.99%.
Read More
Ascendus Credit Coaching
Free tailored credit coaching for all current clients that are interested in our “Get Ready” Loan product. Training sessions will include credit building, debt management tailored to long- and short-term goals, prioritizing debt repayment, budget assessment, and assessment for current credit-building programs.
Read More
Microinsurance
$50,000 Term Life and $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance offered at no cost to you with your loan. Only available to new clients located in New York City.
Read More
Eastern Bank Equity Alliance
We are thrilled to be working with the Equity Alliance for Business, which is designed to advance growth opportunities for underserved business owners and entrepreneurs with specialized banking offerings specifically for underrepresented women, people of color and all of their intersectionality, including LGBTQIA+, veterans and disabled communities. At a recent fireside chat, business and community leaders shared unique perspectives about solutions aimed at shaping a path forward for diverse businesses across the Commonwealth.
Read More
Looking for more business resources? Check out our curation of resources designed to help minority-owned businesses flourish.