Just because your business doesn’t have millions to throw at a fancy new ad or campaign, doesn’t mean you won’t have your voice heard.

There are plenty of low-cost / low-difficulty methods to help increase your business digital/online presence that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

In this guide, we will go over some ideas to get you started

Create a Google MyBusiness Account

This free listing allows your business to be shown on Google Maps, often alongside any reviews or related information. Although you may need to optimise your business profile to rank higher and be more visible, it is definitely worth creating at least.

Post and Engage on Social Media

It is not enough to just make a social media page; you must also be active! Even if it is not really than interesting or relevant to your business, being seen (and seen in a positive light) helps foster long-term positive feelings towards your business.

Tag and Credit on Social Media

By tagging accounts and re-sharing content (with the appropriate credit given) will allow you to ethically piggyback on other larger accounts audiences.

It can even potentially help build relationships with other businesses or content creators. If you regularly tag accounts and share other businesses content, they may return the favour.

Use Hashtags

Hashtags are almost like a free, low-effort type of SEO.

If you’re smart and spot something that is trending, you can use hashtags to reach a much wider audience than you would usually.

Don’t forget LinkedIn

Many businesses skip over LinkedIn as it is too ‘intimidating’ or they often feel like they don’t know how to use it properly.

By creating a LinkedIn profile and connecting with other professionals around you it is possible to reach an entirely different audience than is possible through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Even if you do not feel much like posting, you can still keep up to date with industry happenings and new ideas.

Local SEO

Part of Google’s algorithm is designed to serve up the most relevant content for a search or query – this presents an opportunity.

By creating content directed specifically for or to the people in your local area will attract much more traffic to your website over time. The most important thing to note is this will take a little bit of time before results are seen, so it is worth starting early.

Develop an Email Marketing Plan

Email marketing is a great way to achieve a multitude of goals. Whether you want to welcome new visitors, send specific discounts and offers, or even just show off your newsletter – it does it all.

Apply for Business Awards

Some business awards require you to sign up or apply for consideration – which means there are often thousands of businesses not even in the running.

Being included in shortlists or winning an award (no matter how obscure) is a wonderful way to grab some free advertising, as-well as providing some extra content for your business blog!