Happy Monday. I love Mondays as it is a fresh start. On Monday I work on my and my client’s social media accounts.
I use ChatGPT a lot. Usually I ask it what to do, today I asked it what not do to.
What is the worst things small business can do to ruin their online presence?
The worst thing a small business can do with their internet presence is to neglect it or make it inconsistent and unprofessional. Here are some key pitfalls to avoid:
Outdated or Broken Website: A slow, outdated, or non-functional website turns potential customers away. Broken links, poor navigation, and non-responsive design (not optimized for mobile) leave a bad impression.
Inconsistent Branding: Different logos, messaging, or color schemes across platforms confuse customers and reduce brand trust.
Neglecting Reviews: Ignoring online reviews or responding poorly (e.g., being rude or defensive) can harm your reputation. Engaging with both positive and negative reviews constructively shows professionalism.
Lack of Contact Information: Not providing clear, easy-to-find contact details (phone number, email, address) frustrates potential customers. Many will abandon a site if they can’t contact you easily.
Unsecure Website (No SSL): A website without an SSL certificate (showing “Not Secure” in the browser) makes users question the safety of doing business with you, especially if handling payments.
Spamming Customers: Sending irrelevant, excessive, or unsolicited emails without segmentation can drive customers away. It’s crucial to maintain a balance and avoid spammy content that may also affect deliverability.
Poor Social Media Presence: Having social media accounts that are inactive, post irrelevant content, or fail to engage with followers can harm your brand. It’s better not to have an account than to have a poorly managed one.
Ignoring Local SEO: Failing to optimize for local search results (like Google Business Profile) means missing out on potential customers searching for your services nearby.
A cohesive, up-to-date, and user-friendly online presence is key to gaining trust and growing a small business.
