How to create "Web Presence" for your small business...

"Web Presence" is the visibility of your business through various other websites. The presence of your business can either be “owned” or “earned”. If your business entity creates and controls the content, then the presence is “owned”. For example, your business website or blog is created and controlled internally entirely by the business. If content related to your business appears on other websites as provided by individuals outside of the business, then the presence is “earned”. For example, reviews by customers on the Better Business Bureau website is created externally. Maintaining your business web presence involves strategies for both “owned” and “earned” content.

This website focuses on the five main avenues of web presence relevant to small business. In general, these avenues should apply to most industries. However, depending your industry and your specific business model, some avenues may not be as important. Learn more about how to get started with each avenue by following the links to each page. If you are comfortable with computers and navigating the Internet, you can establish and maintain your web presence.

• Search Engines and Directories
• Review & Recommendation Services
• Social Media & Content Sites
• Location-based Services & Mobile Apps
• Deals, Coupons, & Price Comparison Services

The page for each web presence avenue provides a description of the particular avenue. In addition, the most relevant websites to consider for establishing web presence within the avenue are listed along with a quick step-by-step to get started. We recommend registering with as many websites as possible to establish "owned" web presence. In order to establish and improve your "earned" web presence, we recommend encouraging your clientele to submit reviews and recommendations as approriate.