What’s the first thing you do when you need a product or service? If you’re like the 85% of consumers who conduct research online before they make a purchase (Forbes), you probably head to the web. This is why a strong online presence is important for every type of business. 

Your online presence encompasses your website, social media platforms, digital marketing and advertising, your visibility in the SERP (Search Engine Results Page), and the conversations customers have about your business online. Here’s what a good online presence can do for you: 

• Leads potential customers to your business — 74% of consumers do research on websites and 38% on social media (Forbes). 
• Makes it easy to communicate and engage with customers. 
• Helps your business stay relevant.
• Allows you to communicate who you are as a brand and set yourself apart from competitors.
• Allows you to expand your reach all over the world.

Improving and maintaining your online presence is an ongoing process. Keep this checklist handy to ensure you’re doing everything you can to reach customers wherever they are. 

Your online presence is like Rome — it can’t be built in one day. It takes time to build up authority in the SERP and grow your organic traffic to your website and social media. If this list feels a little overwhelming, take it one element at a time. Start with mobile-friendly design for your website, for example, or if you’ve already done that, plan out a few blog topics based on the keywords your target audience is searching for.

Once you start this checklist you can easily come back to it and get to work where you left off by visiting your Compass Profile page and viewing your “In-Progress Checklists”.