Power of Online Presence
Having an online presence for your optical practice is vital in building your brand, increasing your credibility and managing your reputation. When was the last time you used print media to research or locate a company or a store? How many times have you taken a purchase decision based on a Google search? Or choose a restaurant based on online reviews? That is how powerful an online presence is to a business. What would become of your practice if it does not have an online presence?
“If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business.” – Bill Gates
What is an Online Presence?
Online presence is all the activity and content that your optical practice or business has under its name on the internet. This includes your accounts, assets, interactions, and any other pieces of information created about your business. Therefore, all the content you put on the web under your company’s name.
Furthermore, online presence over the years used to be an option for companies, but now, it is a requisite for every business, big or small, to flourish and thrive in this digital world.
Virtual connection
Having an online presence is key to promoting your optical practice and connecting with your customers. However, for many businesses that is no longer it. Businesses have advanced into creating digital spaces and virtual connections that work alongside the physical world. Online presence is vital in building your brand, increasing your credibility and managing your reputation.
The Next Normal
In this age of the Next Normal as McKinsey refers to, the digital world will exist alongside the physical world, with people seamlessly switching from one to the other. By taking advantage of the opportunities made available in the digital world, your practice will not only survive but thrive.
This is a time of tight finances. UK SMEs have seen a 28% decline in revenue during the lockdown. Accordingly, digital marketing offers a cost-efficient way to promote your products and services and talk to your customers.
What is Online Presence for Your Optical Practice?
An online presence for your optical practice is more than setting up a website that contains the name of your practice and contact details. It entails creating a virtual point of business where your target audience can find useful information on. They should be able to interact with you through social media channels.
Research suggests that 27.5% of total retail sales this year will be made online, with that figure reaching a third of sales by 2024. Are you still wondering why you should have an online presence? What’s in it for you?
6 Benefits of Having an Online Presence for Your Optical Practice
There is a lot you can achieve with an online presence besides being there for your audience. Stated below are some of the benefits you can attain with an online presence;
Accessibility
An optical practice or any business that does not have an online presence is non-existent in today’s world. A world of a digital and competitive business environment. How many times have you googled a store or restaurant because someone mentioned it to you? Am guessing a couple of times right! That goes for your optical practice too.
Your customer will refer a potential customer to you, and they would go straight to google to check you out. Dynamic search algorithms and social networks are substantial in making it easier for customers to locate businesses online. So then, if you are absent online, how would you be found?
Marketing & Branding
A sturdy online presence allows you to build your brand and gain the credibility that you need to intrigue prospective customers. Customer engagement and reviews on social media can enable sales. Besides making your practice readily accessible, online presence also allows your customers to find out more about what you have to offer with less difficulty.
Additionally, a social and website profile helps establish a visual identity that your target audience can acknowledge and trust.
Larger Audience
With an online presence, you can access a larger audience that covers people within and beyond your location, thereby exposing your Optical practice to even more openings and allowing you to operate on an international level.
Credibility
Online presence is essential to establishing your optical practice as an authorised business. Owning a sturdy online presence is the first step to ensure people take you seriously.
Availability
It’s all online – This has become the norm. Why is that one would ask? The internet is always available and can showcase your practice 24 hours. As a result, enable your potential customers to find you any time any day from anywhere in the world. Also, your optical practice becomes accessible 24-hours allowing customers to make their purchases whenever they would like. Unlike offline purchase where you have to wait until business hours.
A better understanding of your audience
With an online presence, you interact with your customers more. Meaning having a two-way channel of communication with your audience to collect insightful information. Consequently, giving you a better understanding of your audience and prospective customers needs.
No doubt the online world has changed! Having a website and a social presence comes with endless opportunities. So, it is up to you whether your optical practice reaps these opportunities or not.
Sources:
- https://www.emarketer.com/content/uk-ecommerce-2020
- https://econsultancy.com/stats-roundup-coronavirus-impact-on-marketing-ecommerce-advertising/
- https://blog.flock.com/online-presence-for-your-business
- https://www.experian.co.uk/blogs/latest-thinking/small-business/6-benefits-to-an-online-presence/
