What is your digital image saying about your business?

By VICAN CONNECT

13 Nov 2014

First impressions count, as the classic saying goes - and in this digital age, it is truer than ever. But how many business start-ups can be confident that their digital identity is making the right first impression?

Starting and building a business takes courage and a lot of time. You’ve considered, researched and prepared. You’ve talked, panicked and planned. And now is the time to take the leap. Once you’ve leapt, your time will most likely be spent building customer relationships through sales and networking, as well as looking after all the administration that comes with a new business.

All too often, new business owners overlook the simplest things that will help put out the best impressions to their potential customers, when a little delegation could ensure it is looked after for you.

Think socialSocial media is not new anymore but it is still something that is sometimes overlooked in business. Setting up a Facebook page or Twitter profile and then using them incorrectly or not at all is pointless. It takes time to build up your audience and get your messages right. If you don’t have the time or skill to do it, then look into hiring someone. There are a number of freelancers who can cover this for you. With social media being a genuine tool to aid new business, it is a good investment.

Get connected rightYour telecommunications are key in putting the right image out there. As a start-up, your business may be small - even only you - and you will not always be able to answer calls. A cheap hold tone, or impersonal voicemail, sounds amateur. A fully integrated telephony system can include call queue management, interactive voice response, voice-mail to email, conference facilities and music on hold. This will not only ensure you sound professional, it will ensure that you are professional, by not missing leads and offering a better service from the start.

Online all the timeYou don’t need to personally be online all the time. But your website is the place your potential customers will find out about you, so your web design and site performance needs to be professional. Again, this is an investment worth considering as it can sell for you while you are not there - but more importantly, by hiring a professional web developer, you will benefit from their expertise in helping you come across well in search. A website that nobody can find is of little use to you.

Public RelationsPR is not just local newspapers or business pages any more. The media is completely digital now, and by communicating with it you could reach your customers more quickly, as well as help in your online search engine optimisation. Business start-ups cannot usually afford large PR consultancies, but some agencies do like to work with fledgling companies on a project basis, and there are a number of freelancers who can be more flexible on time and cost. They will get your messages in front of your audience for you. As the owner of a new business you will have a myriad of new roles - these may include CEO, MD, accountant, PA, Secretary, Business Development Director and more. So while you are juggling all these roles, do consider delegating to others, who can help your digital profile give out the right first impression about your business.

Enjoyed this? Read more from VICAN CONNECT

Latest news

1

New chief executive for Lancashire County Council Mark Wynn

New chief executive for Lancashire County Council

11 Feb 2025

2

ICT Reverse expands fleet with new artic truck ICT Reverse new truck

ICT Reverse expands fleet with new artic truck

11 Feb 2025

3

NW Mutual bank reveals locations of 16 fully-staffed ‘bricks, clicks and flicks’ branches Dave Burke.jpg.jpg

NW Mutual bank reveals locations of 16 fully-staffed ‘bricks, clicks and flicks’ branches

10 Feb 2025

4

Lancashire inspires next generation of cyber specialists with activities Cyber Education Week

Lancashire inspires next generation of cyber specialists with activities

07 Feb 2025

5

Harris Your Place project enters final fit-out phase Michael Conlon, Chairman of Conlon Construction handing over The Harris ceremonial key to Councillor Anna Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council

Harris Your Place project enters final fit-out phase

07 Feb 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

Amber River True Bearing Quarterly Investment Seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
13 Feb 2025

Amber River True Bearing Quarterly Investment Seminar

Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, Blackburn Rd, Clayton-le-Moors, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB5 5JP

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200atkinsons 1
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Celebration - Business Breakfast Showcase
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Feb 2025 - 14 Jan 2025

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Celebration - Business Breakfast Showcase

Media Factory , Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 10:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire
PM and M event
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

08:00 - 10:00

Women's Health champion training
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-6.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Women's Health champion training

*, Online, *

10:00 - 16:00

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
RKMS ACADEMY LOGO - BLACK AND ORANGE.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin