tips guides boost digital presence businessNo market is a level playing field. Whether you realize it or not, startups face a bevy of obstacles that more established companies don’t have to deal with. Indeed, just working to get a foothold online is a monumental task for a new business. And without the benefits of age, extra capital, and experience, even the most dynamic entrepreneurs may struggle to help a new business get off the ground. Fortunately, there are measures new companies can take to improve their presence online, and ensure they aren’t crowded out by the competition. Here are three ways to hit the ground running with your website:

1. Build Early, Launch Later

One mistake many inexperienced business owners make is launching their website as soon as they’ve finished building it. This is problematic for several reasons. First, websites with a very young domain age (fewer than three months old) have an inordinately tough time ranking on Google and other search engines. What’s more, it’s essential to test out features on your website with your team before you promote it to the masses. This way, you can eliminate the bugs in your e-commerce store and related web pages during the developmental stages.

2. Get Keyword Specific

Any new business is going to find it difficult to rank for highly competitive or generic keywords on search engines. Phrases like “lab equipment,” “marketing firm,” and “business loan” are almost guaranteed to be beyond the capabilities of a company just starting out. As such, it doesn’t make much sense trying to optimize web pages or blog posts with those kind of keywords. Instead, you can make use of long-tail keywords that are more specific and less competitive on search engines. So while you may struggle to gain traction for the broad term “lab equipment,” odds are you could find success with a more detailed phrase like “sodium fluoride tube.” Knowing your customer base intimately will also help you identify long-tail keywords that can help your site gain momentum on the web.

3. Reach Out

Before you can draw in millions of viewers to your website, you have to focus on bringing in one. A great way to ensure you stay connected with your online consumer base is to reach out through social media channels. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can prove vital tools in getting your content in front of the right people. Plus, well-executed emails/online newsletters can help garner qualified leads as well. Always keep in mind that the ultimate goal of search-engine optimization is to develop connections with customers. The more attentive and informative your outreach programs are, the better results you’ll see!