Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/strategicdigitalmediastocktonca/49671238066
The internet has made it possible for almost anyone, anywhere, to buy anything. This has been great, but it has not come without its downsides. In the past, snake oil salesmen and fraudsters had to drag their products and themselves to a physical location. Today, they can reach a far wider audience while sitting at home.
This makes consumers wary, so it is essential for online businesses to create a strong brand identity that people can trust. There is no one-size-fits-all guide that every business can follow to achieve it. However, there are some tips which should help, and they will be the focus of this short guide.
- Have a brand definition: Before you get started online, and before you even consult with any experts, such as King Kong Agency, it helps to define what you want your brand to be. This does not necessarily mean having a name, logo, or slogan. You can work on those later. But you should know who you want your brand to appeal to, what its values are, and how you expect to compete. Have a mission statement and unique selling proposition that you can explain clearly.
- Invest in a great website: Think of your website as being like a digital business card. Not only should it put across important information about your brand, but it should look pleasing and leave a great impression too. Whether your business is primarily online or offline, your website will be many people’s first encounter with your brand, so make sure it’s a good one.
- Use social media effectively: This does not mean copying content across every different platform. Each has its own quirks and they probably won’t all be effective for you, so it is better to understand these well rather than worry about maintaining accounts with them all.
- Engage with your audience: One of the main benefits of digital marketing over traditional marketing methods is that it facilitates two-way communication between companies and their customers. One great way to make use of this is known as ‘social selling.’ This means finding conversations about your brand online and joining in to offer solutions or advice.
- Remember to EAT: EAT stands for expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. The acronym explains the qualities of content creators and website developers that Google search results try to promote, and it is definitely worth bearing these in mind during any digital activities.
Today, a trusted online brand identity can be a serious competitive advantage. There are many tactics you can use, but shaping your approach with these tips will ensure that you are on the right track.