Over the years, small businesses have relied on many different ways to get clients to their websites. Search engine traffic has been one of the main ways to do this and although it is still important, other methods are very helpful, too. One of the most popular ways that small businesses are expanding on their web presence is through social media networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Other social networking sites are valuable too and many business owners are using LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, and others.
Why should your small business use social media sites? Aren’t they just for playing? Aren’t they just a waste of time? No! Here’s why your small business should use social media networking to promote your company:
Search Engine Optimization
Search engines have changed significantly over the past year. They are no longer looking at things like backlinks and keywords to determine the importance of a website. One of the things they are giving more weight is interaction within social media sites.
When search engines see that people are sharing your site on networks like Facebook, Google+, Twitter and other sites, they are getting signals that people (search engine users) think that your site is relevant and important. The more social signals they receive, the better your chance are of getting ranked higher in the search engines. SEO is still important for businesses!
Connection
Social networks place your business where people are already present online. When you create a Facebook page, a Twitter account or a Google+ page, you get to interact with your customers and your future customers in a way that businesses have not been able to do in the past. You can represent your business and show them that your customers are important to you. Take a look at Timbuk2’s Facebook Page and you’ll see a great example of social media marketing done right. They share pictures that their users love. They share specials that are just for Facebook users. They answer questions and joke with the people that like their page. And the followers of this page share, too – pictures, thoughts, articles, etc. – which in essence does some of the promoting for the brand. The same thing can be done on other social networking sites.
Build Your Brand
When someone hears your business name do they know who you are? Do they know what your business does, what it sells, or what services you offer? Do they know what causes your business supports? These things are all part of your brand and by creating a brand for your business you create an image in people’s minds that they can relate to. Coke, Pepsi, Ford, Budweiser – all of these companies have created brands that appeal to their target market. People remember certain things about them that make the company feel more relatable. When people feel relatable to a brand, they are more likely to buy from them. On social networking sites, you can create a brand that people will remember!
Rick Magennis is the President and CEO of Bearcat Media, an online marketing company that specializes in SEO, Social Media Marketing, Website Development, Re targeting and Re Marketing services. Bearcat Media is one of the top social media companies in the state of New Jersey. He likes to take time out of his busy schedule to inform small businesses regarding the latest news on SEO.
