If you’re looking to get your business online, you’re in the right place. Today, more and more people are turning to the web to find information, products, and services. According to HubSpot Blogs research, 66% of consumers researched products or services online before buying them in-store. Similarly, 57% of consumers researched online before visiting a business or brand. Additionally, 49% of consumers reported that they’d rather research products or services online than deal with salespeople cold-calling them on the telephone. It seems that consumers are finding the information they need online and aren’t particularly interested in being sold to.

1. Build a community.

With so much competition, it’s vital that you establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field. Building a community of customers who value your opinion and have questions about the industry is the ultimate way to earn credibility and grow your business. By regularly contributing to blogs and forums that cover your topic, you can show that you’re a thought leader in your industry. Additionally, when others value your opinion as an expert, it gives you credibility. You can show that you’re open to engaging with new ideas and contributors to establish thought leadership.

2. Use social media.

If you don’t have the time to contribute to blogs and forums, you can still build a community of followers by using social media. It can be a bit daunting to get started, but creating a Twitter account or a blog for your business is very cheap (you can even do it for free) and can be a quick and easy way to get your name out there. Your Twitter account can be used to disseminate important news and announcements about your business, as well as engage with other Twitter users who also happen to be followers of yours. Your business’ blog can be used to build an audience, provide interesting content, and establish your expertise in your industry. Every business is a potential contributor to digital magazines, like Buzzfeed, Inc.com, and Think with Google. These publications can be used to reach a large audience and potentially attract customers to your business.

3. Build your web presence.

If you’ve decided to put your business online, your next step is to build your web presence. A business website is an important part of any marketing plan, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a blog on your site either. Having a regular blog post series can be a great way to establish your expertise and to show that you’re a good writer. You could do this by interviewing prominent people in your industry or by contributing to existing blogs on the topic. Alternatively, you could write up some quick tips or offer your own analysis of recent trends in your industry. Building a strong web presence and engaging with potential customers via social media is a great way to grow your business. A business’ website isn’t just a place for customers to find information online, it’s also a digital storefront. Having a look at what others in your industry are doing can help you decide what products and services you should offer.

If you own and operate a small business, it’s important to develop a marketing strategy. Without a solid marketing strategy, it’s very difficult to grow and sustain your business. As the old saying goes, if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Developing a marketing strategy for your small business can help you figure out what direction to take. From there, you can choose one of the three strategies mentioned above and begin implementing the plan. Marketing on the internet can be an effective way to reach a large audience and build your business quickly and easily. With the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can put yourself in the right place at the right time and make the right connection. Good luck out there.