Having a great brand is critical to business success in today’s markets. With so much competition, you need a way to stand out and show customers that you’re better than other companies.
And when 46% of consumers say that they will pay more for brands they trust, it makes sense to build your brand. But it’s easier said than done to earn that loyalty.
If you’re interested in small business branding advice that will help your company stand out, this guide will help. Follow the advice below to boost brand awareness and grow your sales.
Invest in SEO
Much of the internet traffic websites get today comes from Google. It commands the largest search market share, and people trust it to provide good information.
This means you’re missing out on brand authority when you don’t use SEO on your website. People see the top-ranking websites as the leaders, so you can boost brand awareness by ranking at the top.
Learn about keyword research, content creation, topical authority, and other SEO topics. Use what you learned to optimize your website for organic search traffic.
Build a Social Presence
People today like feeling connected to the companies they buy from. They pridefully show their products and let people know why the company they like is the best.
One of the places this happens is on social people. Customers talk in the open about the products they love and yell about the products they hate.
You can use this to your advantage by building a social media following. Create social media pages and invite your fans to follow your pages. Create informative content for people to share, and you’ll expose your brand to new eyes.
Work With Influencers
It also pays to get recommendations from credible people on the internet. Since you’re already using social media to establish your company, you can also use that chance to work with influencers on the platform.
Many people get product recommendations from the people they follow. They look to see what they wear, eat, and enjoy.
Influencers know this and will take brand deals for products that their audiences will enjoy. Look for individuals with followings similar to your audience and work out a deal for them to promote your products.
Do this enough times, and you can reach a huge number of people.
Launch a Referral Program
Referrals from friends and family are one of your best marketing avenues. Those are the people trusted the most for recommendations.
One of the best ways to encourage this behavior is through referral programs. There are tools available that allow you to set up point systems, affiliate commissions, and other forms of referral programs.
Once you set this program up, let your customers know what’s available. Each person will get a unique link to send to other people that track the people they send. If a person that clicks on a link makes a purchase, the person sending the customer will get credited.
You can offer free stuff, discounts, money, and other rewards.
Partner With Other Companies
Although there are many companies you directly compete with, the chances are good that there are also many you don’t. They are adjacent to your industry, and while they don’t directly compete with your product, they share a similar customer base.
You can use this to your advantage if you make the right connections. Companies regularly work together to promote each other. Since you share similar customers, you can promote each other’s products to the others and each experience growth.
Head to networking events or join groups online to find these people. Look for situations where you can create win-win situations for everyone involved.
Improve Your Website
Most people visit a company’s website before they buy products. They want to learn about a company, check its history, and see everything they have to offer.
It’s also a way for potential customers to gauge a brand’s credibility. If a company doesn’t invest in web design, it hurts its brand reputation and turns people away.
Create a web design yourself or hire a web design services company. Look for a website design that helps your company stand out and helps people find what they need.
Create Video
Videos are one of the most popular forms of consumption on the internet. You don’t deal with slow internet connections nearly as much anymore. Your target audience likely has the speed to watch HD videos wherever they want.
You can use that to your advantage by creating informational content for your brand. If you have a trendy product, consider starting on TikTok and other short-form video platforms. Videos can go viral there and lead to a ton of sales.
If you have a product that solves a more severe problem, think of starting on YouTube. You can create video channels and in-depth guides for people with problems and demonstrate how your products solve them. If people see you as an expert, it makes it easier to trust your brand.
Run Paid Ads
You may not get attention immediately if you only use organic marketing methods. Your business isn’t in the face of people yet, so it will take time to happen.
But you can speed up the process by using paid ads. Doing this allows you to get immediate traffic to your business.
Use your ads to build your brand. Send visitors to pages that talk about your product benefits, your company’s mission, and anything relevant to visitors.
Invest in Small Business Branding Now
Growing a company isn’t easy when you don’t have a brand. People don’t know how to search for your products, so finding and acquiring new customers is a constant struggle.
But things change when you build a brand. Customers will seek your company out instead of buying from your competition. Use the small business branding tips above to make your company stand out and increase your loyal customer base.
Are you interested in learning more about small business growth tips? Learn more about growing your brand on the blog.
