Just as in the offline world, online – first impressions count so it’s important that you make a good one. Just as importantly is that the online presence you project is consistent – in style, tone, branding and customer service.
From your website, email signatures, online brochures to social media platforms, your online offering needs to offer a cohesion image to your audience – these are both your suppliers, your staff, your customers and your potential customers, staff and suppliers.
Some tips on ensuring you have a consistent online presence:
Website – the content used on your website, the blog posts and even the way that the website is laid out all contribute to your online presence. The language needs to be in line with the image your business wants to portray, as well as being easy to navigate, engaging and informative.
Logo – have a logo designed that best represents your business, product or service and use that everywhere that your business name is found on the Internet – your website, social media profile, business listing, email signatures. If you get the logo right it could end up creating awareness for your business even at times when your business name is not shown. Eg. Google Chrome, Coca-cola or Cadbury.
Colours – while this ties in with your logo, it’s important in its own right – consistency in the use of colour/s will help to reinforce your brand. Be particularly careful that you do not use colours that clash with your logo or any backgrounds.
Style/Tone – all communications, be they written or imagery, need to be consistent and represent your business. While for some businesses a less formal, humorous approach will work, it won’t for others. Sit down and work out some guidelines surrounding the style and tone you and your team will use to communicate. A good way to work this out is to determine the appropriate language to use, and images to show if that person is actually standing right in front of you.
Hierarchy – another aspect of online presence where consistency is important is online profiles such as LinkedIn. Is it appropriate for everyone in the business to have a profile linked to the company’s profile or just the senior staff? For those having a profile, is it alright for one to have a professionally written profile and for the others to throw something together themselves?
Customer Service-when your staff are responding via email, instant messaging or on social media they are all conducting customer service tasks and representing your business. Again, the language used, the amount of time in which they respond all goes towards a consistent approach.
All of these aspects on your digital presence combine to present a united image of your business. If you need assistance with tidying up or building your online presence contact the Website Design Centre team today.
