It’s estimated that 82% of the British population bought at least one product online in 2021. In 2022, online retail sales in the UK totalled £106.1 billion. These projections are only going to get bigger, and that’s why successful businesses take full advantage of digital technologies.
If your business hasn’t yet made the jump to digital, it can be an overwhelming change. After all, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. But, if your physical business is already successful, embracing digitisation can double or triple that success.
Whether you’re a sceptic or you’re ready to embrace the digital age, it’s worth knowing why your business should go digital and exactly how you can make the change. This guide will give you all the background you need for online success.
Why Is Adapting to the Digital Age Important for Businesses?
It’s no surprise that in the digital age, countless people are turning to the internet and their devices for products, services and information. Going digital opens a range of doors for your business, including:
Accessibility – With more and more people online, you can share a whole host of information about your business in nothing more than a few clicks.
Reach – The internet is global, and though you probably won’t be offering your roofing services in Singapore, it can help you broaden your customer base and expand your business globally.
Engagement – Communicating with your customers on social media or through email marketing can strengthen your relationship and turn them into repeat buyers.
Insights – Your website or social media page will give you a ton of statistics and customer insights. Plus, it makes it much easier for customers to leave you helpful feedback.
Competitive Advantage – Going digital now gives you an edge over your competitors who may be slower to adapt. You can reach out to potential customers that your competitors will miss out on.
Adaptability – Making the effort to digitise your business means you’ll be better equipped to deal with new technologies and changing market conditions.
Going digital doesn’t mean you have to abandon your physical premises or marketing efforts. But, refusing to go digital can leave you trailing behind your competition. If you’re committed to your business’s success, digitisation is an all-important step.
What Do Customers Expect in the Digital Age?
So, if you’ve decided to make the jump to digital, you need to know what exactly your digital customers will be looking for. Thankfully, putting smiles on customers faces online is much the same as doing it in person.
However, with 65.32 million people in the UK now making the most of the internet, customer expectations have evolved quickly over the last three decades. Customers in the information age have almost come to expect that businesses have a website and some social media.
Digital customers also look out for:
- Fast loading times
- Quick responses to questions
- Reviews and testimonials
- Mobile accessibility
- Security and privacy
- Quick transactions
- Continuous improvement
Thankfully, a well-honed digital presence can check all of the above boxes. Let’s take a look at exactly what you need to give customers everything they want from your digital business.
How to Get Ahead in the Digital Sphere
It’s true that taking your business digital will give you a competitive advantage over other businesses that are slow to adapt. However, you’ll have a lot of competition once you get online.
Making sure your business stands out on the internet and provides customers with all they desire, is key to digital success. Some key aspects of successful digital businesses are:
A Top-Notch Site
Contrary to popular belief, building a great website doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Many free website hosts, such as Wix and WordPress, offer templates for businesses.
You’ll also need to make sure your site has an eye-catching home page, an about page which introduces customers to your business’s story and your employees, product pages or services pages, and a contact page with up-to-date information.
SEO
SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, is a beast with a billion backs. At its most simple, SEO simply means that you make your website easy to find through search engines like Google. To do this, it’s best to have a blog related to your business and regularly post everything from helpful how-tos to lists of your products and even tours of your business.
You’ll need to choose a few keywords and phrases that relate to your business. For example, if you offer pet grooming services, ‘best pet groomers’ might be one of your SEO key phrases. This key phrase needs to appear across your website and in your content.
Location-Based Content
While the internet does allow people from all over the globe to find out about your business, location-based content is great if you offer local services. SEO keywords such as ‘pet groomers in Salford’ can generate lots of clicks from local clientele, and help you get a step up over your competition.
Many digital customers also seek out social responsibility from their favourite businesses, so don’t be afraid to show them that you’re contributing to your local community.
Targeted Advertising
If you have a budget for your online presence, it’s definitely worth investing in targeted advertising. These kinds of ads are so-called because they are targeted at people whose online habits show that they would probably benefit from your products or services.
The principles of great advertising and marketing remain the same as they were before businesses took the digital plunge. You’ll need catchy slogans, eye-catching design, and it wouldn’t hurt to throw in a few offers or sales here and there.
Social Media Presence
Did you know that 53 million Brits use social media regularly? Take advantage of the most popular social media sites and set your business up with a page on Facebook and Instagram. Here you can communicate easily with your customers, showcase your products and services, and find potential customers through hashtags and location tags.
Growing your social media, getting more likes, follows and engagement, takes a while. But, it’s more than possible to do it in your spare time. Encourage customers to follow you for updates and offers they won’t get anywhere else.
Though there is a lot more you can take on, these are the things every digital business needs. Take advantage of each of these aspects and you’ll be well on your way to digital success.
In Conclusion…
The digital advantage is undeniable. Taking your business online can hone what you’ve already built, and draw in thousands of new customers. Digitisation will set you apart, allowing you to curate and personalise customer experiences that will keep them coming back for more.
A great digital presence has a lot of facets and takes a lot of work, but the rewards you can reap are definitely worth it. A strong site that is easy to find through SEO, location-based content and active social media are the essentials. So, take advantage of the digital realm and give your business the success it deserves.
