Why is it important to have an online presence?

Back in the day, before Facebook and Google, a website was no more than a catalogue.  Generally it generated little business, but made the company appear professional and was usually no more than a supporting sales tool.  Now a corporate website is the cornerstone of any company’s marketing and sales. It is often the first place a potential customer will go once your sales people have made an initial appointment.  Most websites now generate a fair few leads for companies.

In the past couple of years it has no longer become enough for a company just to have a website.  People no longer access the internet through search engines alone, they use social networks, instant messenger, forums and blogs.  Some people now access the internet via their games console and mobile phone.  For businesses this increases the opportunities to communicate with potential and existing customers.

It is, therefore, key for companies to have a presence where their customers are ‘hanging out’ online.  Find out where your customers are and create a presence in that place, whether it be a fashion forum if you’re selling jewellery, or a business forum if you’re selling corporate gifts.  And you don’t need to sell yourself too hard, just join in the discussion and the leads will come.

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