Telstra has just published their Business Intelligence 2020 insights report on Digital Marketing.
As a business owner, you know it can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task to build and maintain a healthy client list. But a stable client base is crucial to long term business success. So, how do you start building this base?
Well, here’s some good news: Telstra has just published its Business Intelligence 2020 insights report on Digital Marketing. It’s filled with extensive research, as well as useful knowledge and resources on customer behavior that will keep you in touch with trends, client expectations and what other businesses are doing online.
In this article, we look at the many ways a website can benefit your business. Check-in regularly with our blog as we unpack how to use the different digital marketing channels to grow your business.
Meeting customer expectations
Consumers use a wide range of digital tools and platforms when they’re looking for products and services. However, looking at the top three options below, convenience is key to consumers. They want something that is both easy to find and straight to the point without having to look around for anything other than the information they need.
Top digital platforms consumers use to find and choose a businesses:
- Search engines (e.g. Google, Bing)
- Online reviews (e.g. Google & Facebook reviews)
- The business’s website
- Recommendations via social media or online forums
- The business’s Facebook page
- Online marketplaces (e.g. eBay, Catch.com.au, Amazon, Alibaba)
- Online forums (including Facebook groups)
- The business’s Instagram page
Website benefits
Your website is key to customers finding you and to creating your online presence, no matter the size of your business. In fact, a website is the digital standard that consumers use to find and decide on a business.
- One out of five consumers, when surveyed, said they wouldn’t consider a business if they couldn’t find a website for it.
- For consumers under 40, this number is even higher. Around a quarter of consumers will turn around and walk away if the business doesn’t have a website. Even if your products and services are mainly offline, managing a website is a powerful tool for communicating what you can offer to your clients and building your credibility.
A website plays a crucial part in attracting potential customers. However, a significant 41% of surveyed Australian small to medium-sized businesses don’t have one. Having a website is a fundamental way to control your online presence and exhibit your business information and offerings for your consumers, whether the aim is business growth or not.
Managing your website
It’s essential to make sure your website is exactly what your customers want. Sometimes, what they expect from you is a little different from what you would imagine as a business owner.
The majority of consumers consider these features essential when visiting a website:
- A quick response to their queries.
- Easy website navigation.
- A returns policy.
- A trustworthy site (with an SSL certificate).
- Regular website updates
Businesses have a much lower perception of how valuable these features are to clients. Clients notice and appreciate the little things, such as how much effort you put into responding, or how mindful you are when designing a website that is visually pleasing and user-friendly.
Your website checklist
Concentrating on these three main areas will go a long way to making sure your website is effective:
- Provide relevant content.
Customers turn to your website because they are interested in you, your business and your products and services. Make sure you provide it!. Ensure your website is informative by providing all the information needed, including the products or services and their pricing (if possible), business hours and contact details. - Ensure a professional experience
Check site performance to ensure your pages load quickly and correctly across a variety of browsers and devices. Keep it secure with up-to-date tech for customers, – this not only keeps your visitor’s data secure but helps with SEO too. - Make it engaging
Tell your own story and get creative with it, but keep in mind that you must make it clear, concise and straightforward. Give visitors a clear idea of the points of difference that make your business stand out, and make sure that you let customers know you’re there to support them through their website experience, such as offering a live chat or a list of FAQs.
Stay tuned on our blog to read part two of our digital attraction articles!
