What should your online presence be?

While being online is vital, no two businesses need the same type of online presence. You may want a comprehensive site to display your business—or something simpler might resonate better. We have tips and partners to help set up or upgrade your online store.
52 percent of consumers search online.

of consumers surveyed say they would prefer to shop exclusively online.1

80 percent of consumers preferred to shop.

of consumers prefer to shop where digitally-related benefits (web site and loyalty programs) are available.1

1 Insights listed above are from Visa’s Digital Transformation Research, 2018 Maru/Matchbox survey.

Putting your best foot forward online

If you’re ready to take your small business online, here are some tips and best practices to guide you through the process.

Keep it simple: Customers stay longer on user-friendly sites. Most customers will decide whether they want to browse and purchase within minutes.

Embrace the digital storefront: Allowing people to buy directly from your website makes it easier for your customers to buy directly from you, perhaps even in the comfort of their own homes. A good website solution provider takes the hard work out of selling online, helping you to set up a digital storefront for your business.

Enable site search: Customers expect to be able to visit a store and search for specific things like “blue women’s shoes.” Showing the most relevant products will greatly increase the likelihood that they’ll make it to checkout.

Content is key: Plan out what people will see and do when they visit your website. Many site visitors will not want to buy right away so give them reasons to visit and stay other than to buy.

Include how-to guides: How-to guides and project templates help customers plan a project related to the product or service you sell. You may not get direct sales immediately but, keeping customers engaged and online means they will keep returning to your website.

Start small, then expand: Nail the basics first: products, services, hours, offerings, testimonials, and contact information. Features like subscriptions, bookings, and memberships may come later, unless they’re the focus of your business. 

Beyond your site—get social: Social media can extend your company’s reach by giving potential customers another channel to engage with you. See best practices for your online presence in the running and growing sections of the Small Business Hub.