Are UK Businesses Still Failing to Unlock their Online Potential?

A government report published last year estimated that a third of small companies are failing to create an online presence.

13:27 10 September 2015

A government report published last year estimated that a third of small companies are failing to create an online presence, while approximately half of UK consumers would struggle to support a local firm if it wasn’t online. The truth is that we don’t always trust a business if it has no online presence, while we may even struggle to hear about it if we’re relying on word of mouth or paper advertising alone. So, with a portion of over £160billion in website sales, the chance to engage with a wider pool of consumers from across the UK, and dozens of international trade opportunities up for grabs, why are so many UK business failing to harness their full online potential?

 

Well, for starters, many companies may be unaware of just how helpful a website, email address, or social media account can be. These days, people tend to be more trusting of a company with an online footprint, while more consumers than ever will shop online via a search engine. It is, therefore, essential for these companies to wake up and realise the potentials that going online can unlock. You’ll never be able to compete with other UK small businesses if you don’t optimise your chances to be seen via search engines. Another reason some businesses may fail to create or maintain an online presence is due to expense; whether it’s time or money, that perfect website usually won’t come cheap, but it is essential to recognise the investment while you can.

 

Make the most of your online presence

 

These days, it is so important to create and maintain a successful online presence. The way you conduct your business online really can be the difference between your business thriving or failing. First thing’s first; establish that website, set up a blog, and create social media accounts that will enable you to engage with your public – in order to be seen, you must first make something for consumers to look at, after all. Next, ensure that your website is easy to access and navigate, establish ways in which consumers can contact you quickly, think about your site’s branding and design, and get ready to write – a lot.

 

Simply having a website isn’t enough these days, and numerous small businesses are failing because they aren’t taking the time to consider their online presence and its impact upon sales and consumer communications. Aim for a site that reflects your brand and its mission, engages customers in a heartbeat, says everything that you want to say in a clear and concise manner, and knows who your potential clients are. Making it all look pretty is just as important, but consider first what your site says about your business. Aiming for the international market? Making the most of your online potential will also involve thinking about that global stage and taking care not to alienate potential customers with localised design choices and language. Phew!

 

If all of that seems far too complicated or just a little overwhelming, take comfort from the fact that there are numerous companies out there designed to help you maximise your website’s visibility, increase your search engine standing, and make the most of online communications, including the Matomy Media Group. Matomyseo.com, which is just one of the group’s sites, is dedicated to helping you find your online business feet, with services such as branding, content marketing solutions, search engine optimisation, and advertising strategies. If you’re a UK small business or a bigger business in need of an online lift, be sure to investigate the many ways a website will help you to gain the recognition, and hits, that you deserve.

 

 

Despite the prevalence of the internet in our society, there are still small businesses failing to make the most of their online potential. Whether you simply don’t have a website, seldom have the time to create updates, or are a little in the dark when it comes to the World Wide Web, maintaining that online presence really is one of the best and easiest ways to be seen.