As we step into a fresh new year, now is the perfect time to give your business the attention it deserves. Whether you’re gearing up for new opportunities or refining your existing operations, a thorough refresh across your online presence and planning strategies can set the stage for success. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
1. Update Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business profile is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Google has approximately 85.2 billion monthly visits – which means you need to put your best foot forward. Take a moment to:
Update your hours of operation, including any scheduled closures for the year.
Add fresh photos to showcase your products, services, or team.
Ensure your contact details are accurate and up to date.
2. Review and Refresh Social Media Profiles
Social Media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are great places to showcase your product or work. While you are planning out your content strategy for the first quarter don’t forget to:
Check contact details, services, and operating hours to ensure they are up to date.
Look through your photos to see what might be missing.
Refresh your cover photo for a fresh start to the season.
3. Ensure Your Website is Current
Each website platform comes with different needs and yours might require regular updates. Make sure your site and all external apps are updated to the latest version. You also need to look over and check the basics like:
Staff profiles, hours of operation, and contact details.
Make sure all pages and links are functioning properly.
If you have any forms, send a test to ensure they are working properly.
4. Start Planning Promotions, Events, and Campaigns
It’s never too early to start planning your next event, sale, or campaign. Whether you prefer to tackle this monthly, or quarterly, here are a few was to ensure your next event will be a success:
Highlight seasonal or annual events on your website and social media.
Create an email campaign to send to your best customers or clients.
Make sure you are taking advantage of all avenues of marketing.
5. Schedule a Photoshoot
Visual content plays a vital role in your branding and is a great way to refresh your website and social media throughout the year. Here are some ideas for photos that you might need to refresh in the coming year:
New headshots for your team. Put a face to their name and let people see them!
Lifestyle photos that tell your brand story and showcase your product.
Drone, interior, and exterior location photos to showcase your workspace or services.
6. Begin Email Marketing Preparations
Email marketing remains a powerful tool for engaging your audience. There are so many great ways you can use email marketing to connect with people. Here are a few ideas of emails people will want in their inbox:
Monthly or quarterly newsletters to offer additional content to your loyal audience.
Targeted email campaigns to nurture leads or announce events.
Offers for upcoming sales or loyalty discounts.
7. Review Website Analytics
Delving into your website analytics might feel overwhelming initially, but it’s an invaluable step for optimizing your online presence. Taking the time to analyze this data can significantly impact the effectiveness of your website and marketing strategy. Here are a few key-ways it can help:
Understand user behavior to identify areas for improvement.
Make data-driven decisions about site revisions or updates.
Identify high-preforming content to better understand your audience.
8. Plan Your Advertising and Marketing Budget
Set yourself up for success by outlining where your marketing dollars will go. Often small businesses don’t set aside a budget for marketing which usually results in them not putting any money into it. Here are a few tips to help you outline your budget this year:
Determine which channels will offer the best return on investment.
Allocate resources for paid ads, sponsored posts, or influencer collaborations.
Start a quarterly plan for when and how you will start advertising.
9. Collect Client Reviews and Testimonials
Client reviews and testimonials not only strength your public perception, they also help you rank higher in search results. Make sure your reviews reflect who you are and what you offer. Reach out to your 2024 clients to:
Request testimonials that highlight their experience.
Use positive reviews in your marketing materials and on your website.
Taking the time to implement these steps now will help streamline your operations and ensure you’re ready for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Here’s to a successful and prosperous year for your business!
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