5 Reasons Why Every Business Needs an Online Presence

Can I find your business online? No? You must be kidding!

In recent years, businesses have shifted online for a number of reasons. The internet has become a magic wand of sorts and those businesses that have fully and professionally utilized it are reaping the fruits of their labor. It is unforgivable for any business in our today’s tech savvy world to lack an internet presence.

Here are five reasons why your business needs to be online, like yesterday!

1.  More business opportunities: More and more people are turning to the internet to find local businesses in their areas or places where they can shop online. According to some studies, about 3 out of every 4 people do this in some countries. While we have not done such a study in Kenya, there is little doubt that Kenyans are taking to this trend in their numbers. Therefore, those businesses with an online presence definitely benefit from this by getting customers without spending a cent - almost!
2. Marketing: Old school marketing is not yet gone, if there is such a thing. Today, businesses are turning to the internet and especially to the social media and popular blogs (Business Tips Kenya is heading there!) to advertise their products and services. You must have seen lots of adverts on websites, blogs and social media sites like Facebook. Since most Kenyans are spending their lives online, businesses also have to market themselves there to remain relevant - or in business if you prefer.
3. Branding: Many small and medium sized businesses are finding it hard to become good brands. Many of them keep saying that their services and/ or products are the best. Well, many people don't buy that. How about making people experience that you are the best? How about a good website that says you are serious about whatever you do? How about a short turn around time? How about...you get the idea, right? And all these things can and should be done online!
4. Interacting with customers: While a business website is one platform on which a business can interact with customers, the best platform is the social media. The last census did not include how many people are on Facebook or on Twitter (or did it?), but I will tell you this: almost everybody with a wap or internet enabled phone! Now do your math! What is your "rough estimate"? That's why you need to be on the social media sites and chat with your (potential) customers - or someone else will!
5. Everybody expects businesses to be online: If you asked your customers, they would tell you that they expect you to be online. Reason? They'll probably tell you everybody else is! Or, they may want to contact you or learn more from you and doing it online is the cheapest way to do it. 

Now you have all the motivation to be online. What are you waiting for? 

sirkarani@gmail.com