10 Tips to Increase Online Customers for Your Small Business

There are several great ways to make yourself more visible online. From getting onto Google Maps to keeping your photos absolutely professional, here are several tips that will help you fantastically.

Karen, Founder of Blue Rusk

10/24/20254 min read

Using Social Media Platforms

Today, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are very important for small businesses. They help businesses reach more people and get more customers online. To use these platforms well, businesses need to make interesting content that people like. Sharing stories, showing behind-the-scenes moments, and making fun posts can help keep people engaged and create a community around the business.

It's also really important to know who you want to reach. Companies should use the tools on these platforms to learn about what their audience likes and how they behave. This information helps them make better content and create ads that reach the right people, making it easier to get new customers. Keeping a consistent way of talking and sharing things on all social media helps build a strong brand.

Paid ads on social media can help businesses be seen by more people. With ads on Facebook or Instagram, businesses can create specific campaigns to guide people to their websites. Research shows that ads aimed at specific interests often work better. This means that focusing on the right audience can help get more loyal customers.

Small businesses also need to stay active online. Posting new content regularly helps keep the business in people's minds. Quickly answering customer questions builds trust and makes the business look good. When people feel connected, they are more likely to share the content, helping the business reach more people.

By using social media wisely, small businesses can grow their customer base and create real connections with people.

Improving Your Google Business Profile

To make sure people can find your small business when they search online, it’s important to improve your Google Business Profile (GBP). Having a complete and well-kept profile helps you attract new customers. Start by making sure all your information, like your business name, address, phone number, and website link, is correct and up to date. Keeping this information consistent helps people recognize your business and also helps with local search optimization, so it’s easier for customers to find you.

In addition to basic info, having good pictures of your business, products, or services can create a strong first impression. Studies show that listings with photos get about 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their websites. So, taking time to choose nice pictures can really help customers decide to reach out to you.

Customer reviews are also very important for your GBP. Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews because these ratings can help your business rank higher in searches and look more trustworthy. Responding to reviews, whether they are good or bad, shows that you care about your customers and helps build a community around your business.

Plus, local search optimization is really important for bringing in new customers. A good GBP helps your business show up in Google’s local listings, which makes it easier for people nearby to find you. Studies suggest that businesses with a well-optimized profile get more interactions, proving how important it is to keep it updated.

Using Google Maps well can help people find your business. Customers often look for nearby options. Regularly updating your profile with current info, deals, and events keeps people interested. By focusing on these things, you can increase your visibility and attract more online customers.

Joining Business Forums and Communities

Joining business forums and online communities is a smart way for small businesses to get more customers. These places provide useful things to learn and allow businesses to build relationships with potential customers, other businesses, and industry leaders. By taking part in discussions, small business owners can strengthen their online presence and become known in their field.

One important part is sharing useful content. By answering questions, giving advice, and solving problems, businesses can show they are knowledgeable. This helps build credibility and attracts attention from users who may need what they offer. It’s important not to promote too much; instead, focus on being helpful and contributing to the community.

Networking on these platforms can really help brands get noticed. Being active helps connect with other people, leading to referrals and partnerships. Also, businesses that help out regularly are likely to be remembered when someone is looking for similar services. Websites like Reddit, Quora, and special groups on Facebook and LinkedIn can help small businesses reach a larger audience. It’s a good idea to join forums that relate to the business’s industry for more relevant interactions.

In summary, being part of online communities can help small businesses gain visibility and trust. By offering helpful information and interacting actively, small business owners can attract customers and create a supportive network that helps them grow.

Making Cool Visuals with AI Tools

In today’s online world, the pictures and visuals of a business are very important for attracting and keeping customers. Using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create great images can really improve a small business’s presence on social media and other online platforms. AI tools are easy to use and allow even those without professional skills to create eye-catching graphics, helping the brand stand out.

Canva is a popular AI tool that provides many templates for social media posts, flyers, and logos. Users can easily customize designs using its drag-and-drop feature to match their brand. Adobe Spark also uses AI to create beautiful collages and videos quickly, making it perfect for small businesses that want to maintain an interesting online presence without needing to know a lot about graphic design.

When making visuals, it’s important to stay true to your brand. Keeping colors, fonts, and styles consistent helps strengthen what your brand stands for and makes it easier for people to recognize it. AI tools can help by suggesting color combinations and designs that match your brand. For example, tools like Looka can create unique logos based on what you want, using elements that attract your target audience.

Also, using visuals well can grab customers’ attention. Research shows that content with relevant images gets about 94% more views compared to content with just text. So, by utilizing AI tools to improve the quality and effect of your visuals, you can bring in more online customers. In the end, investing in amazing visuals with these tools can really benefit your small business by increasing its online presence and solidifying its brand identity.