The Most Important Recognition for Your Business in 2021

This should be so self-evident that it's hard to believe we're having to say it .. .. .. If you want your business to be successful in 2021 and beyond, you absolutely must have an "online presence". 

But what does "online presence" really mean?

If you think it's the occasional Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram post (even complete with the requisite hashtags), well - good luck!

In an ideal world, here's what you really need:

• A Facebook Page (possibly with an associated Facebook Group)
• A Google Business Listing. This is absolutely essential as it relates to being found when potential customers search online!
• A website - something that both "proves" you're a "real" business and perhaps conducts transactions of some sort.
• Other social media presence depending on your business, how it functions, and the demographics of your target audience. 
• Optionally, a blog - depending on your particular business and the opportunities that result from both a demand and your ability to fill the need for information. If you have expertise that your target audience would value, then a blog is a natural! But, if you're just trying to force-feed info to an general population that may or may not be interested, don't expend the effort.

Let's confront a bit of reality here . . . . developing a good, impactful "online presence" is a LOT of work! Here's why:

• Social media accounts like a Facebook page, Instagram account, Twitter account, etc. require feeding and nurturing. There is nothing WORSE for your online presence than a social media account that isn't updated frequently. If so, it says, that you don't care. That your content and information is "stale". And if YOU don't care, why should your potential customers?
• If you don't have a complete, consistent, up-to-date, Google Business Listing, be prepared to really suffer with where you end up in Google search results. The fact is that your Google Business Listing is the singular most important factor in where your business ranks in Google search results.
• If you don't have a consistent, reliable process to get Online Customer Reviews, you will fall behind your competition that does. Online reviews are the 2nd most important factor in Google search results.

Here's the bottom line:

• Your business absolutely NEEDS a superior online presence - unless, of course, you already have more business (profitable business, that is) than you can handle.
• A superior online presence is a lot of work.
• You can either do it yourself/learn to do it yourself, or seek the assistance of someone who can help. 
• Doggone Good Technology can either teach you or help you - or you can go it on your own.

We want you to succeed!