Promoting your business online
Low-cost ways to promote and market your business, products or services on the internet.
Online promotion is essential for almost all businesses today, especially start-ups, new product launches, or those with tight marketing budgets.
Ways to promote your business online
You can promote your business online in many ways. Most are free or low-cost. Common methods include the following.
Create a website
A website lets customers find your details or buy from you 24/7. Setting up a website doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Many providers offer free (though often limited) solutions, or guided options to help you set up a small business website.
Create quality content
Content is arguably the most important thing on your website. Good content turns visitors into customers, boosts your image, increases your visibility, improves search rankings and relationships with customers, suppliers and the public. Follow best practices for content marketing.
Optimise for search
Visibility in search results is key to your online success. Search engine optimisation (SEO) improves your ranking for keywords relevant to your business, products or services, making your offering easier to find. SEO techniques are varied, but the main ones focus on website design and structure, keyword selection, quality content and links.
Use social media
Social media platforms help you share and promote content to drive traffic to your website and build interest in your business. They let you create a community around your brand, reach more people and engage directly with customers – all at low cost and with little effort. Read about social media best practices for business.
Use email marketing
Reach out to your customers - send them newsletters, offers or updates to drive traffic to your website and build engagement. You can use free or low-cost tools to design professional emails and track opens or clicks. Find email marketing guidance to help you get started.
Use paid advertising
Pay-per-click and paid search advertising can help you promote your business, products or services by placing ads on search engines, other websites or social media networks. Options include display advertising, social media advertising, affiliate marketing, paid search and others.
You can use other digital channels such as online PR, viral and mobile marketing as part of the marketing mix to help drive traffic to your website.
Benefits of having a digital marketing plan
A digital marketing campaign can reach customers at lower cost than traditional marketing methods, such as print ads or mailshots. It also gives you trackable results, so you can measure what works and refine future campaigns. See how to develop a digital marketing plan.