If You Are Not Online, You Do Not Exist
It sounds dramatic. But it is the reality of 2019.
When a potential customer searches for your type of product or service, what do they find? Your business or your competitors?
"The best place to hide a dead body is the second page of Google." — Anonymous internet saying
The Numbers Do Not Lie
- 97% of consumers search for local businesses online
- 70% visit a business after searching online
- 50% of local searches result in a same-day visit
Without a digital presence, you are invisible to half your potential customers.
What Does "Digital Presence" Mean?
Level 1: Exist
- Google Business profile
- Facebook page
- WhatsApp Business number
Level 2: Be Found
- Your own website
- Basic SEO
- Presence in relevant directories
Level 3: Connect
- Regular content on your blog and social media
- Email marketing
- Reviews and testimonials
Level 4: Convert
- E-commerce or online quotes
- Chatbot or 24/7 customer service
- Digital sales funnel
The Minimum Viable Presence for 2019
If you have nothing, start here:
- Google Business (free, 30 min)
- WhatsApp Business (free, 10 min)
- Facebook page (free, 1 hour)
That gives you a presence. It is not ideal, but it is a start.
The Real Investment
"Creating a digital presence is expensive" is a myth.
| Item | Approximate Cost | |------|------------------| | Google Business | Free | | Basic website | $300–800 one-time | | Social media | Time or $200–500/month | | Email marketing | $0–50/month |
Compare that with traditional advertising: a newspaper ad can cost more than an entire website.
The Cost of Inaction
Every day without a digital presence means:
- Customers who cannot find you
- Sales going to competitors
- Lost opportunities
While you wait, your competitors move forward.
Action Plan: 30 Days
Week 1: Google Business + WhatsApp Business
Week 2: Facebook + basic Instagram
Week 3: Define a website strategy
Week 4: Start development or hire a provider
It is not complicated. It requires a decision and action.
The time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is today. Let's talk.
