New Year’s resolutions are often confined to our personal lives. Some of us vow to live well, be healthy and strive for deeper, more meaningful connections, but it’s easy to forget that keeping your business in good shape is also important.
As 2018 swiftly approaches, let’s help you create impactful resolutions so you can make powerful changes in your small business. If you’re ready to get the ball running at the start of 2018, we’ve compiled a list of eight incredible resolutions you should make this year.
1. I will get more social.
If you’ve decided to steer clear of social media in earlier years, 2018 is the perfect year to go social. Social media help market your business to a wider audience and foster strong connections with your existing and potential clients. Plus, with over 2 billion monthly active users only on Facebook, it’s quite obvious that every small business owner should devote some time and effort in these platforms.
2. I will create a professionally designed website.
There are over 1 billion websites on the internet today, which makes it easy for your site to get lost in the mix. A professionally designed website is a clever way to establish your business and stand out from your competitors. Since your website is the heart of your online presence, you can extend the reach of your brand and attract all those potential customers.
3. I will go mobile-friendly.
With the constant hustle and bustle of today’s world, it’s important that people can view your beautiful website on the go. A mobile-friendly website provides a better user experience for your customers and helps improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) ranking, making it easier for your audience to find your business. A killer website that runs seamlessly on both mobile devices and desktops will work wonders for your brand.
4. I will create a blog.
Blogging as a marketing tactic can yield heaps of benefits for your business. For one, it helps drive traffic to your site by boosting your SEO efforts. Beyond that, every time you write a blog post, you are creating an opportunity for people to share your content on social media, which will expose your brand to a new audience that might have been unfamiliar with your business beforehand.
5. I will use and double-check my keywords.
Now that your stunning website is up and running, it’s time to reel in those customers who are growing tired from searching for your website and your offerings. Use focused keywords (two to five phrases long) that your potential clients would type in a search engine when looking for a similar business in your niche. Also, make sure to double-check your keywords to make sure your site has a high search engine ranking on Google and other major search engines.
6. I will keep up with the latest marketing trends.
Smart business owners know how important it is to stay on top of emerging trends in the marketing sphere. It’s important that you are aware of the marketing trends to watch out for in 2018 so you can better align yourself with your business goals and showcase yourself as a well-informed and up-to-date company.
7. I will advertise my business online.
It’s almost impossible to stray away from online advertising, especially in this ever-competitive market. Create ads that are tailored to your specific goals and are scalable across social media. Depending on the type of ad you create, Facebook can place your ad on and beyond news feeds, and even on Instagram. Google AdWords also helps you advertise locally or globally, attracting more customers on your quest to success.
8. I will take advantage of email marketing.
Email marketing has, and, continues to be one of the most effective marketing tools for businesses – and it’s here to stay! Employees in the US spend 6.3 hours a day checking their email. Let’s do the math: a couple million US workers times 6.3 hours equals…a whole lot! Therefore, it’s important that you engage your readers and get them to head over to your website.
Verdict
So, what’s the next step? It’s time to turn your resolutions into a feasible, strategic plan to hit the ground running as soon as the New Year begins. This post will help prepare you for a fruitful 2018 and bring all your resolutions to a successful small business.
