5 Tips for Managing Your Online Presence

Boost Your Online Presence by Creating a Google My Business Listing

Today, just as it’s important to maintain an attractive storefront to catch the eye of passersby and convince them to step inside, it’s become just as essential to maintain a strong online presence. The first easy-to-use tool that will help internet users learn about your business is Google My Business: it’s essentially your store’s profile. There, customers can find photos of your shop and your flower arrangements, customer reviews, your contact information, and your hours of operation.

If you don't already have an account, we recommend that youcreate one—it will only take a few minutes. 

Once you've created your account, you'll receive real-time notifications about reviews and photos posted by customers. It's important to keep your Google My Business page up to date and to ensure that the information provided is accurate, especially your email address and phone number. If you have a website, we recommend adding the link to your listing so customers can view your creations.

Tip : If you’re open on a public holiday—which is rare—don’t forget to update your business hours so you don’t miss out on potential visitors who are looking for you online!

Ask your loyal customers to leave positive reviews

An effective way to boost your visibility and reputation is to ask your regular customers to leave positive reviews on your Google My Business page. This advice may seem obvious, but if you take a moment to think about your own online shopping habits, you’ll realize that ratings and reviews have a decisive influence on our choices. Besides, if they’re loyal customers, they’ll have no trouble expressing just how much they trust you. 

Positive reviews have two benefits: not only will they help you attract new customers, but they’ll also help your listing rank higher in search results. So don’t hesitate to ask customers for reviews when they visit your store, or organize an email campaign with a link to your listing so they can easily access it.

Tip : Don’t hesitate to respond to negative comments! A misunderstanding, an oversight… these things can always happen. If a customer expresses dissatisfaction publicly, be sure to take the time to respond and explain the situation. While this won’t completely make up for the bad review, your explanation will show future visitors that you’re willing to listen and act in good faith.  

Sign up for online directories

Search engine optimization (SEO) is (almost) simple: the more your name or website appears on other pages, the more likely you are to be seen by potential customers. So, if you haven’t already done so, it may be a good idea to create accounts on various online directories.  

You’re probably already familiar with the Yellow Pages, which offer a free option to list your business; if you don’t have a listing yet, we highly recommend that you create one by following this guide. Don’t forget other online directories such as Foursquare or Yelp, which are also major sources of traffic.  

Some steps in the creation process can be time-consuming. But keep in mind that the more complete your page is, the more effective it will be at attracting customers. Be sure to ensure that all the information is consistent to avoid any missteps. 

Tip : Take control of pages that have already been created! In online directories, it’s not uncommon for business listings to be created by casual visitors. While this is a great way to save time, the information provided is often incomplete or even incorrect. Don’t hesitate to claim ownership of the business listing so you can edit its content. 

Create social media accounts and engage your community

It has become increasingly difficult to stay completely off social media. You probably already have Facebook or Instagram pages to showcase your expertise. If you don’t have a website yet, a Facebook page can certainly serve as a temporary point of contact with your online customers. Be sure to include your contact information and business hours. 

We recommend that you don’t overlook this aspect and that you regularly post updates on your social media accounts. Your profession is an artistic one: don’t hesitate to fill your clients’ news feeds with your most beautiful creations to keep yourself top of mind. 

Don't hesitate to get creative by organizing contests for your community. All of these efforts will help you build customer loyalty.

Tip : Your Facebook page is packed with features you never knew existed! Feel free to explore the settings to discover them. For example, you can customize the welcome message that appears when a user visits your page. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities!

Post beautiful photos on all your platforms

You're lucky to have a visually appealing business that inspires your potential customers to dream: take advantage of this by posting beautiful photos of your most stunning plants or your latest creations! 

Photo quality is essential: 63% of online shoppers consider photos to be the primary factor in their purchasing decisions. Furthermore, the French E-Commerce Federation (FEVAD) estimates that using more high-definition photos can increase sales on an e-commerce site by 34%. 

Keep in mind that since the user can't see the product in person, the photo is the only thing they have to go on when making a choice. So avoid photos that are too pixelated, too blurry, or poorly framed. 

Tip : Don’t hesitate to invest in high-quality photos. If your budget allows, consider hiring a professional photographer to shoot your most beautiful bouquets—these photos will be useful for all your online content.

If you really don't have time to manage your online presence, Sessile offers a turnkey solution so you can focus on what matters most. Feel free to contact us by clicking the link below.