Step 3 - Go Apps , WOW On cloud for small business

 Step 3 - Go Cloud Apps, WOW On cloud

Traditional businesses and companies always had the trouble in understanding where to start, when it comes to promoting their business using the power of Internet - especially now in the age of Social Media and Cloud Computing. How to strategize? How much should i spent on marketing? and more importantly where to start?

If you are an entrepreneur (with limited understanding on doing business online) and are looking to spend every penny wisely, below is a ready reckoner that can act as a step-by-step guide to help you get started. Please read How to promote my business Step 1 (Internet Incubation) and  How to promote my business (Step 2 - Social Incubation) if you have not read it already

If you have completed Step 1 and Step 2, i.e the first 6 weeks successfully, and since you are reasonably happy with the response received online, time it to take to the next level.

  1. Get Online trust seals by getting your factory/premises audited. Many b2b portals provide these services for a nominal fee. Trust Seals like Dun and BradSheet (DnB) has high value.

 2. Run Email Marketing Campaigns - Email Campaigns typically are more complex than you think it is, and it is important to NOT To be labelled as Spams. Many b2b portals provide these services for a fee. There are self-service options also available, but you can do that after a couple of successful marketing campaings from Email Marketing experts.
    - One important point to remember is, Email marketing Campaigns has an inherent risk element, email campaigns has a likely-hood of resulting in black listing of your company and your domain/Email. Hence use it with extreme caution, and that too with limited number of emails going out from your business account, preferably to a known list.

 2. Create a simple survey form to get much needed feedback about your business, and understand what customer is thinking - This is not a big deal to do, you can use sites like SurveyMonkey or even Google Sites and create a free survey form easily and put it up on your own website and on b2b profile page, all by yourself. (This is where the content editable (CMS powered) website created in Stage 2 will become really useful)

 3. Go for Mobile advertisements - SMS advertisements are not allowed as per regulations in many countries and the same is the case in India as well. So, look out for more innovative Push Notification service providers like AirPush.com. You can also tie up with Apps manufacturers for Before Start and After Exit Ads. Mobile banner advertisement has not really proved its value, and hence don't spend money on that that yet.

 4. Set up a toll-free number with an auto SMS response using Services like ZipDial.com. This helps in collecting the phone numbers and also it helps in providing a prompt response, increasing the customer confidence.

 5. Build Facebook Apps, Mobile Apps for your website - Expensive proposition, but you are anyway having significant success by stage 3

6. Just like the real world, there are lot of scary elements (called hackers!) who are trying to hack your data or destroy your online presence, especially when you are successful. (I will be soon writing another blog on how to be secure on web - with targeted information for small business)
  

Watch out this space, book mark this link and come back if you have liked the article.
I would really appreciate your comments as well.