You’ve probably heard it before: Even if you are only a small business, it pays to establish an online presence. Like what a Wordpress web design agency can recommend, building a website and extending your reach via well-managed digital marketing strategies are key to getting ahead of the competition and building your brand’s reputation.

But what if you are an amateur when it comes to digital-based business campaigns? Here are the most essential tips you need to know:

Know your goals. First and foremost, you have to define your brand and determine your goals as a business — which market segment are you aiming for? How do you plan to utilise your online platforms to achieve these objectives?

Create a roadmap. As what they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. Do your homework and research the basics of digital marketing (e.g. SEO, Facebook Advertising management). And based on that, create a roadmap attuned to your goals.

Choose a hosting plan. One of the first things you need to do if you want to establish your brand online is to have a website. Decide which platform will host your online content (WordPress is one of the most popular ones).

Know the importance of a domain name. Any WordPress web design agency would know why you have to be careful when it comes to your domain name (the one found between the www and .com in a URL). You should come up with a domain name that can be easily identified with your business.

Make sure your site has your business’ information. From having a tastefully done/incorporated logo and easy-to-read copies reflecting the gist of your brand to ensuring that all basic info like location, store hours, and contact details, your website should cover everything that your customer needs to know about your business.

Launch a portal that is easy to navigate. To make your website more attractive, you have to consider its design. It should be easy to navigate and be reflective of your branding (e.g. Font and colour choice). You should also use this platform to showcase your products and/or services.

Learn the basics of SEO and content management. For your website to be easily found by your target users, you should be able to incorporate SEO strategies into your website. This covers keyword research and effective content management.

Establish your presence on social networking sites. If you really establish a strong online presence, having a website is not enough. You have to extend your reach by creating and maintaining social media accounts (choose which platforms would suit your brand and goals best, e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest).

Cleverly advertise your brand. Once you have social media pages and you’ve got a comprehensive plan on how to constantly supply it with compelling content, you should also consider doing ads. Experts in Facebook advertising management recommend this technique as it is cost-effective and highly flexible.

Get help from professionals. As you are only a beginner, it wouldn’t hurt to enlist help from those who are experienced in this field. When choosing a digital marketing firm, look into their reputation, past clients’ testimonials, range of services, and pricing.