In the past year, people have found new ways to generate income since many have already lost their jobs. A lot of online businesses started and thrived in the pandemic.
One thing that is for certain is that these businesses may very well continue to thrive even after COVID-19. The virus still hasn’t shown any signs of slowing, so another year of closed stores is ahead of us. As an online business owner, you can use this time to expand and grow your business.
Create a website
If you have been relying on word of mouth and social media this entire time, then it’s time to take it a step further and build your own website. This allows you to become more accessible and establishes you as a credible business. In fact, 8 percent of customers would think you are more reliable if you have a website. You also have more control because you can put any new product you have without going through different approval processes. Customers can also easily get a hold of your contact information for orders and inquiries.
When creating a website, you can choose to make it by yourself using free hosting platforms or hire someone to do it. Each of them has its own pros and cons. A free platform will save you money, and it is easier to figure out if you have no knowledge of coding. There are also ready-made templates, so all you need to do is change the colors and images. However, it can sometimes look generic, and certain features are locked behind a paywall.
Hiring someone to make you a website is great if you want customization. Web design and development agencies will ask you what you want in your website, and they can tailor the look to match your preferences. Their job also includes making your website more responsive, meaning that it can adjust its appearance to different devices.
Start doing paid ads
Previously, you may be relying on organic ads to grow your popularity. While this is also a good strategy, it can lose its effect at some point. That’s why, when you can afford to, start accompanying it with paid ads. With these, you don’t just blindly post pictures or content and hope someone takes notice.
According to data by HubSpot, Facebook users only see two percent of organic pages, which means a vast majority of them do not even reach people’s newsfeed. Paid ads have a higher success rate, and social media websites make an active effort to promote them. What’s even better is that you can set who sees your ads. It has options that allow you to identify and categorize your target audience, so your ads are reaching people who will actually buy your product.
If you want to expand your online business, this is another way to do so. While it generally targets those in your immediate area, you can adjust it to allow for those in other cities to see your ads. Just make sure that your ad or caption states that it can serve those areas.
Use better digital tools
You might have already noticed, but managing an online business by yourself gets harder the more sales you get. There will be an abundance of orders and unless you hire someone, it will be difficult to manage. That means it is time to familiarize yourself with the latest digital tools.
Nowadays, there are tools for almost everything. You can find tools that help you manage emails, so taking orders will become a lot easier. If you are busy making your products, then check out the tools that are used for social media marketing. It allows you to schedule posts in advance, so you never have to miss a day of engagement and promotion. There is also software that helps manage invoices and orders.
These tools are great for any business because it automates simple tasks, so you can focus on products and other essential parts of your business. A lot of them are free, but you can unlock more functions by paying for them. It may be worth considering once you have grown your business.
Create a new product line
Since you already have a good following and some loyal customers, it would be a good time to explore other products. New items can keep your customers interested, and it is another opportunity to grow your business. It is a sign that you are constantly improving your business.
Usually, large companies do market research to find what new product they can make. You may not necessarily have these resources, but there are other ways to find out. Getting feedback from existing buyers is one thing. They may also be leaving reviews and suggestions in your posts and reviews. You can base your new item on that.