Marketing Basics to Set Up When Starting a Business
Ready to kick-start your marketing efforts for your new business? In this blog post, we'll cover the essentials you need to know. From building a solid website to maximizing your presence on Google, Apple, Yelp, social media, local publications, and online directories, we've got you covered. Let's lay the groundwork for effective marketing and put your business on the map!
Website
You need a website, even if it’s very basic to begin with. A clean website with basic information that is easy to find helps your potential patients/clients to see your business as credible. I recommend Squarespace as a user-friendly platform to get started.
Make sure to connect it to Google Search Console and Google Analytics to help with website performance tracking, search visibility, and data analysis.
Google Business Profile
Set up a Google Business Profile to get listed on Google Maps and enable your customers to write Google Reviews about your business. Complete your listing with your logo, photos, contact info, and any other relevant details. After this is set up, don’t forget to ask your customers/clients to write a review.
After your Google Business Profile is set up, I suggest also claiming/creating your listing in Bing Places for Business. It’s easy to set up and allows you to pull the content from your Google Business Profile.
Apple Business Connect
In the past, when you asked Siri for information about a business, it pulled data from Yelp listings. However, Apple now offers Apple Business Connect, their own business listings (that do still also pull info & reviews from your Yelp listing). To make sure your business is accurately represented on Siri and Apple Maps, it’s important to set up an Apple Business Connect listing. Like with your Google Business Profile, make sure to fully complete your profile with your location, contact info, hours, logo, photos, and other relevant details.
Yelp
Even though your Yelp listing is no longer the primary content Apple shows for Siri searches or in Apple Maps, it’s still a component and you’ll want to claim/create your business listing on Yelp.
Unlike with Google Reviews, you can’t directly ask for Yelp reviews, but you can inform customers that you are on Yelp. Also unlike Google Reviews, you can actually use your Yelp reviews for other purposes as long as you credit it appropriately.
Social Media
You don't need to be on every social media platform. Which ones make the most sense for your to connect with your ideal clients? Where do they already spend time? Which ones are more manageable for you to post there consistently? After considering the answers to those questions, decide which social media platforms make the most sense for you and your business and create accounts there.
Local Publications
For newly opened brick-and-mortar businesses, check local publications to see if any of them include lists of new businesses. Many include these listings for free, giving you additional visibility.
Online Directories
Are there any online directories that make sense for you to be included in? Any associations you are a member of? The local chamber of commerce? Medical provider listings? We aren’t necessarily expecting anyone to find you through a directory, but it can help with SEO.
Some online directories require you to pay to be listed (don't do that unless there's a really good reason to do so), but many of them are free—you just have to submit your information. And make sure you link to your website wherever possible.
Does all of this seem overwhelming and you’d rather have someone guide you through the process of getting your business online or handling it for you? Contact me to help you take the next steps in getting your business seen.
