As more and more people are using the Internet to find and research businesses and their services, an effective online presence is essential to connecting with new customers. Here are some different ways to go about improving yours:

1.       Get a new website or improve your existing one

A website acts as a sort of “home base” for all new client acquisitions. When potential customers learn about you through an advertisement, social media, or other marketing source, often times they will still search for your firm or business online in order to visit your website and learn more about you. It’s important to make a positive impression on potential customers with your website, and contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be overly expensive. For the vast majority of smaller firms and businesses, paying anything more than about $2,000 for a website is probably too much. Though you may be led to believe that the more expensive the site is, the better it is, that is not the case. A simple, clean site often does a better job of getting your phone to ring than an expensive, flashy or content-heavy one. To get an idea of what kind of website may work best for you, feel free to contact us.

2.       Get on key web directories or improve existing ones

Google Places, Yahoo! Maps, and other “local listings” can be extremely beneficial in getting found by customers who are searching online. You may notice that a significant portion of top Google search results is now comprised of such “Places” listings, so having profiles on these sites could potentially put you at the top of all search results. There are other sites and directories such as Avvo  that can be helpful for lawyers and other professionals in getting found online. A basic Avvo profile is free to set up, and there are additional advertising opportunities as well. Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding how to get started with these or similar sites.

3.       Get live on social networks and spend time setting up content and routines

Being active on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook is another important aspect of establishing a strong online presence. Start by connecting with (or “following,” etc.) the right people, whether those are potential customers or fellow professionals who may serve as referral sources. Then begin sharing useful content. Even spending as little as 5-10 minutes per day connecting, posting or “re-tweeting” key news items or helpful articles can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to utilize the “direct message” features on social media sites when you encounter someone who may be a good business contact for you or who may be seeking your services. There is further opportunity in paid advertising through these sites, as well, such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Let us know if you’d like to learn more.

RealPractice and our ReplyWise online application can help firms and businesses of any size to “advertise wisely and close more business” in 2012. For more than 12 years, we have been trusted by thousands of firms and our technology and programs have been designed and built by teams from companies like Apple, Yahoo! and AOL. Our teams have also managed thousands of online marketing campaigns and website projects and we are not afraid to be measured to make sure we are delivering value. We have low cost and easy ways to get started without long-term commitments. We’ll even be happy to give you a FREE consultation to review your 2012 goals and suggest a custom plan to achieve them!  Just email us at learnmore@realpractice.com.