A business’s customer base is the group of people who buy its products or services. Having a customer base helps businesses make money, grow, and reach new customers. Learning how to find customers for your business online can improve your sales and profits in less time.
But this has never been an easy task. In the past, most clients were waiting for businesses to find them, but recently, the game has shifted from you, the business owner, to the client’s search.
What do I mean? I mean, you also need to shift your mindset to how clients can find you.
So ask yourself: How do clients find me?
Nowadays, many business owners make it difficult for clients to find them.
Stop making it difficult for clients to find you. Now, take this little exercise. Think about your product or service. Think of how clients can find you on Google or social media. I guess the answer is that it is difficult for your product or service to be seen.
How, then, can you be found in the 21st century? Let’s find out below.
1. Search Engines
According to recent statistics, a search engine like google gets over 100billion searches per month, runs around 99,000 search queries per second which adds up to a whopping 8.5 billion searches per day on Google, source fitsmallbusiness.com . Moreover, the average person searches Google three or four times per day. A search engine like google thus shows that it is a fertile ground for clients to find your business online.
More so, these Google search statistics show small businesses how much web traffic potential there is in this space. When customers search for products or services online, your business website should appear in the search results. This is why it’s important to optimize your website for search engines (SEO).
2. Social Media
There is no getting around the fact that social media has taken over our lives. Many of us use social media every day in some way, whether for work or for fun. But it can be challenging to keep up with the social media sector and the many trends with the growth of so many social platforms and the steady inflow of new features.
According Search Engine Journal, 26.8% of internet users aged 16 to 64 discover brands, products, and services via ads on social media. 12. 44% of internet users aged 16 to 64 use social media as a primary source of information when they’re researching brands.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are a great way to connect with potential customers and promote your business. When you post interesting and engaging content on social media, it can help to drive traffic to your website.
3. Online Directories
Online directories allow businesses to expose their business to more traffic, increasing awareness and connects potential customers to your business. But you have to know that not all directories are made equal. It is important to make sure you know which directory is reputable for your business and top directories will help boost your SEO as you associate yourself with trusted brands.
Online directories like Yelp, Google My Business, and YellowPages can help customers find your businesses in their area. Make sure to claim and optimize your listing on these directories so that your business shows up when customers search for it.
4. Referrals
A business referral is when a potential customer is referred to your company by a member of your network. This could occur purely by chance during natural conversation or as the consequence of deliberate referral marketing efforts.
Word-of-mouth referrals are still one of the most effective ways to generate new customers. Encourage your existing customers to refer your business to their friends and family.
5. Paid Advertising
Paid advertising is a marketing strategy in which businesses pay to display their ads to a targeted audience. Paid ad platforms almost always work on an auction system. This means the advertiser sets the budget they’d like to spend and sets a target amount they’d like to bid per action to achieve a specific action.
Paid advertising can be a great way to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website and social media pages. There are many different platforms available, so you can choose the one that’s right for your budget and goals.
There are now more ways than ever to win customers. However, it is important to remember that having too many options can be overwhelming. You do not need to use all of the marketing channels available to you in order to be successful. Sometimes, all it takes is one great marketing idea to attract new customers and generate new ideas. I hope this information inspires you to come up with your own marketing strategies and grow your business.