Building an online presence can be one of the most difficult and daunting tasks for many entrepreneurs trying to grow their businesses. Where do you start? What applications do you need? How do you even know what to put in it? Joanne Tapodi, Branding and Squarespace expert share her top tips for levelling up your online presence.

It’s easy to get lost in the crowd in today’s digital world, with so many brands competing for attention. Connecting with your audience in your own unique and authentic way will be what sets you apart from your competitors.

With over 17 years of experience in graphic design, and running my own business for over nine of those years, I know a thing or two about creating a powerful presence online.

My top 4 tips for standing out in the digital space

1. Speak the language of your audience

Have a think about who your ideal customer is. What do they like to do? What do they read? What do they value? What life stage or job would they be in? Translate these thoughts and feelings into images and words that will resonate with them.

First time website visitors will spend an average of 5.59 seconds reading a website’s introductory copy before they decide that they are interested and want to keep reading, or they are ready to move on and leave your website. Having written content that is simple, clear and to the point, whilst also injecting your brand’s personality is key to keeping users on your site for longer.

Other touchpoints you can use to further nurture the connection with your audience and keep them coming back for more are:

• Sharing informative content through different channels, such as blogging
• Setting up a mailing list and sending e-newsletters. For example Squarespace has email campaigns built straight into the platform, which is one of my favourite features
• Connecting your social media accounts to your website so that you can grow your following

Small business owners often have to wear multiple hats, so if writing isn’t your thing, I totally get it! There are incredible copywriters available across Australia for hire who are experts at getting familiar with your overall brand voice.

 2. Use aligned and engaging website imagery

Did you know that 90 per cent of information transmitted to the brain is visual? Images are the first thing visitors notice when they land on your website.

I would highly recommend employing a photographer to take some professional images of you and/ or your products. Including a profile image of yourself on your website helps visitors form a personal connection to you, your brand, and what they can expect from working with you. Using personalised imagery will tell a brand-specific story that is engaging for your audience.

3. Ensure your website reflects your product or service effectively

Establishing a seamless experience for your audience on your website is the key to turning a simple website browser into a dedicated customer. Create an engaging ‘buying journey’ that includes multiple calls to action to point them in the right direction.

Choosing platforms and providers that help you sell your product or service in a way that is easy and aligns with your brand is imperative. For ease, look for an  all-in-one solution, not only is this great for you – you’ll have everything in one place, but also for creating a smooth and consistent brand experience for your audience.

Whether you are accepting online bookings, selling products, selling event tickets, or even hosting memberships or courses online; all of these functionalities can be found within Squarespace.

4. Cross-promote your brand on social media

In today’s world, it isn’t enough to be a brand, you need to be a storyteller, and social media can be a great tool to do just that. Ultimately you want to drive your audience to your website where they can learn more about you and become your dream customers. Rather than just including a boring url link on your Insta profile, get on-brand with an impressive Bio Site to push your audience towards points of interest on your website. Plus, you can also include your Instagram feed on your website. This can provide website visitors insight into your daily business journey, creating a more personal experience, as well as providing them with up-to-date content.

To learn more and get practical advice on building your online presence, attend a free online masterclass on November 15, Level Up Your Online Presence hosted by The Finders Keepers and Squarespace  / branding expert, Joanne Tapodi, In one hour, you will learn actionable steps to improve your website’s visitor retention and turn your audience into loyal customers and brand advocates. To register, please visit here.

Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Kochie’s Business Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.