Four Ways to a Flourishing Business

Starting a business can be daunting, and there’s a long list of things to do to get it off the ground. We asked an industry expert for the top tips on how to kick start your small business and make the most of your online presence.

Choose the Right Domain

For many people, registering their domain name is one of the last things on the list and it shouldn’t be, says Anne De Aragon, vice-president and country manager, GoDaddy Canada. “A domain name is an important annual investment as it is the hub of your business’ website,” she says. “Much like a physical sign, it marks the location of your business on the web. This makes registering a domain name one of the most critical business decisions you make.”

Some business owners prefer their full business name as the domain name while others prefer an abbreviation. Business owners also need to consider this important fact: According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, Canadians are 4x more likely to shop on a .ca website over .com as it taps into the patriotic desire people have to support local businesses. “Taking a minute to think about your business, your goals and how you want to present yourself will allow you to decide on the best domain name for your business,” De Aragon says.

Create a Website that Looks Amazing

A mobile-friendly website is essential for a business to ensure it is easy to access and use for today’s mobile-first environment. This means your website looks its best and performs stress-free for the user since the text is readable, images are optimized and fitted to screen sizes, and there is no need for horizontal scrolling.

For example, GoDaddy’s Websites + Marketing tool allows business owners to create a modern, mobile-friendly website for free and with no technical knowledge required. The tool has hundreds of already-designed templates, which allow business owners to control the look and layout of their website.

Leverage Digital Marketing

Digital marketing can deliver strong results at a fraction of the price of traditional marketing. Think of your website as a hub from which consumers access your various channels. De Aragon recommends being selective, always keeping your business goals in mind. “You should incorporate a variety of channels, but you don’t need to be on every platform,” she says. “It has to make sense for your business and your target audience.”

No matter what channels you choose, make sure you have high-quality visuals. Entrepreneurs can engage a design professional or take advantage of content design applications, such as Over by GoDaddy. These applications allow entrepreneurs and small business owners to easily create impactful visuals which can be leveraged on social platforms, websites, and email marketing campaigns.

Make Your Email Shine

Since email is often the first consumer touchpoint, it is important for your email address to be professional. “A professional-looking email address gives your business more credibility when you’re corresponding with existing and potential customers,” De Aragon says. “To set up a professionally branded email address, you need to have registered a unique domain. From here, setting up a professional email account can be done quickly and easily.”

Learn more at GoDaddy.ca.

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