New year, new your, right?
Well, unless you are starting a new business or moving locations, you should still be the same consistent business as last year.
Of course, grow and expand, but your services/products, branding and contact details should be all matching up across all online platforms.
Tip: Have a document with your information all together in an easy to access and copy location for when you are updating and setting up your profiles. Be sure to include your mission statements, social media links, contact details etc
Use our simple Google Docs Template to get started.
Check your website information & details
Being the trunk of your business, your website should have 100% up to date and consistent of your services, products, branding and contact details.
- Check your phone number is correct on all your web pages (including your header and footer)
- Check your email address is also up to date. Also test your contact forms to make sure they are fully working for you and they get to your inbox.
- Check your service details are up to date and all information is correct.
- Confirm your products pricing, description, and stock are all updated and correct.
- Test your links to your social media accounts all work.
Confirm your online branding is consistent
Your logo, brand colours and font, and mission statement are what helps your stand out from the Joe down the road offering the same services/products.
Ask yourself, does your website have consistent branding, logo placement, colours, fonts?
But your website is not the start of most customers journey, social media can be. Does your social media profile images have your logo? Does the social image banners represent your business and has enough branding to stand out and be recognisable? Be sure to check your Facebook, Instagram, and even your Google My Business profile images.
Update your NAP details across all online accounts
NAP stands for Name, Address and Phone Number (Plus Website). Unless you are a multi location business, these should be 100% in the same format across your website, social media profiles, and online directories.
Tip: Your website URL should be HTTPS and be consistent with the www or non-www.
Be sure to check some of the following important online profiles & directories:
Respond to any/all reviews
If your business is getting online reviews, it is highly recommended to be responding to all reviews either as a Thank You or clearing the air from a “bad review”. It shows other visitors that are reading your reviews, that you are a pro-active business and are treating your customers well (regardless of the rating). This helps not only bring in new customers, but also helps increase your Local SEO rankings.
Signup to as many online profiles as possible
These are free to sign up to and can great help improve your online presence. Remember to be consistent with your branding, and your NAP when setting them up.
If you have not already done so, do sign up to the following:
- Google Business Profile
- Facebook Business Page
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps (Physical Locations only)
Optional:
- Yellow Pages
- Word of Mouth
- National Directory
- True Local
- Local Search
- Top 4
- Local Mint
- Show Me Local
Check your website traffic stats
Get a yearly overview of your traffic trends so you can prepare for the upcoming year. There are a few ways you can do this.
Google Analytics
Look into your Google Analytics account and set it for the last 12months (Get the analytics app for your phone). This should show the yearly trend, or growth depending on your industry, your business age, and the demand for your services/products.
Google Search Console
Also check your organic SEO rankings in Google Search Console. This can show you the last 16months of your Google search organic rankings, as well as what topics you are doing well for and potentially where you could improve your topic reach.
Google Trends
Picking a few main topics, you can check them in Google Trends. For example: Year on year for Web Design in Google Trends. These can help you identify your industry trends year on year, allowing you to prepare for the future.
Install important apps onto your phone
Some online platforms work better if you have the app installed – plus this allow you to communicate, update and run your business online on the fly.
Google Analytics
The official Google Analytics mobile app lets you monitor all of your Analytics properties so you can keep track of your business while you’re on the go.
It is easy to review and maintain from both on your computer (analytics.google.com) and through the apps (Google Play | iOS Store).
Google My Business
Once you Get Your Business On Google Maps, you can use this service in order to manage the physical location information regarding your business. Your business will appear listed in Places and under the organic listings when an internet user searches for something your business has to offer.
It is easy to review and maintain from both on your computer (business.google.com) and through the Google Map apps (Google Play | iOS Store).
Facebook Business Suite
With Facebook Business Suite (formerly Pages Manager App), you can access and manage the tools your business needs to thrive across Facebook and Instagram together, simplified and in one place.
It is easy to review and maintain from both on your computer (business.facebook.com) and through the apps (Google Play | iOS Store).
