Facebook is a Valuable Marketing Tool Small Business Owners Can't Risk Ignoring

As a web design company in Grande Prairie, a large percentage of our clientele is made up of small businesses. In an effort to provide our clients with the ultimate in web design, development and internet marketing services, we've learned a lot about their pain points, or rather those things they find puzzling, stressful, have never thought about before, or all of the above. This being the case, I thought I'd share some tips on a very powerful and yet often undervalued tool that's available to small business owners: Facebook.

Now before you say "but my clients don't use Facebook,'' hear me out. Every day, more than 800 million people around the world use Facebook in some capacity, whether it's to socialize or learn more about the businesses they will frequent. This means that whether you cater to 20-somethings, other businesses or even seniors, your business needs a Facebook presence. In fact, regularly interacting with current and prospective customers on Facebook can efficiently and effectively take care of several tasks that every business must do if they want to succeed.

The Facebook Advantage for Small Business Owners:

1. It's Free.
   Most small business owners know how difficult it can be to compete with companies whose budgets for offline and internet marketing are bigger. The great thing about Facebook is that, when it's used properly,  this free marketing platform can deliver significant results in the way of new traffic to your site, queries about your business and even new sales.
   
   
2. Brand Building.
   As web design and internet marketing providers, we find ourselves talking about brand building a lot. One of the main motivations for getting your business online is to build and popularize a brand. The goal is for people to see your logo and immediately know what it is that you offer and stand for, an example of which would be a trucking company whose logo brings to mind characteristics like dependability and safety. The best way to do just that is to be found in as many places online, as you can. Facebook is the perfect platform for interacting with potential customers and demonstrating what you know, do and stand for, all of which will help to build a rock-solid brand.
   
   
3. Establish Authority & Earn Trust.
   You can have the slickest web design or the coolest product but you will never convert site visitors into your customers unless people feel they can trust your brand and come to regard it as an authority in the industry. Doing business online is tricky; if people can't actually see you or your business' physical location, how do they know that you exist? Facebook is a great place to share the content, shining client testimonials and other 'proof' people need that your company is worthy of their business. 
   
   
4. Search Engines Like Facebook.
   In an effort to provide their customers (people who search) with the best possible user-experience, Google and other search engines also look for proof that you are who you say and that you have something of value to offer those who visit your site. This being the case, search engines favour those who demonstrate their authority and build trust with customers in Facebook, rewarding them with better rankings.

For any business owner looking to boost their internet marketing efforts and reach more customers online, Facebook is a great place to start. It's becoming more and more evident that online success requires a strong Facebook presence, so start building yours now.

For more information on this or other internet marketing topics and services, feel free to get in touch with us.