The internet, and especially the social media part of it, has become such a mainstay of modern life that very few types of businesses can survive without an online presence. Since the global reach of the internet, companies are increasingly launching, building and promoting their brand online. Whether your company is an established company or just a startup, increasing your brand online has several benefits.
1. Increases your exposure
Social media sites like Facebook, Google+ and Twitter can enhance your online presence and give you much more exposure than you can expect to get in other ways. Due to their worldwide access, everything you share on social media has the potential to be viewed, ‘liked’ and ‘followed’ by millions of people around the world. By enabling you to deliver information about your products and services instantly, they give you the ability to go beyond geographical distances.
2. Helps build a loyal customer base:
Customer loyalty is very important for the success of any business. Loyal customers form the core of a company’s customer base. Some customers are so loyal that they never switch to another company’s product even when they are offered lower prices. An example is Apple’s products. iPhones are more expensive than other smart phones, but many people still buy only iPhones. Increasing your brand online familiarizes your brand with your target customers and helps build a loyal customer base.
3. Helps build emotional connection with customers:
Studies have shown that customers would rather purchase from a business with an active social media presence than from a business without one. This could be because Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites connect you directly to your customers and enable you to build an emotional connection with them. Building an emotional connection is very important from a marketing point of view as it guarantees customer loyalty and a positive business reputation. When your customers begin to view you as a friend they can trust, they are more likely to buy from you.
4. Enhances your company’s image:
When it comes to marketing products, familiarly breeds trustworthiness. Studies after studies have shown that people would rather buy costly products with familiar brand names than cheaper products with brand names they have never heard of. Thus, the more your target customers see your brand online, the more they will come to trust your company and your products. At the same time, social media like Facebook allows you to interact directly with your customers and clear their misconceptions (if they have any) about your company and products.
5. Boosts direct and indirect sales:
Increasing your brand online can do wonders for your sales. It boosts both direct and indirect sales. Since customers can buy your products from the comfort of their home, you will see your sales increase dramatically. Also, affiliate sellers can sell your products for a predetermined commission. Importantly, social media helps you discover your target customers’ likes, dislikes and preferences so that you can tailor your products and services to make them more attractive to them.
How do you increase your brand online?
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