Thank you to AMBC Trusted Supplier Anytime Mailbox for sharing this guest blog post:
5 Ways MBCs Can Improve Their Online Presence
Your brand’s online presence is a huge step in boosting sales and conversions. Your brick-and-mortar storefront needs to have a robust online counterpart as well.
Google’s statistics show that a business can have 80% more store visits when its online strategy involves multiple online channels. This means maintaining, for example, Facebook, Google Business Profile, and a review site like Trustpilot.
Here are simple, specific, and actionable tips to improve your online presence and increase foot traffic and revenue for your mail and business center.
#1: Create a Google Business Profile
59 percent of consumers use Google to research products and services they want in-store. Be visible with a Google Business Profile. This is your business’s listing on Google.
Creating a Google Business Profile allows you to control how your business appears on Google and qualifies you to appear on their knowledge panels, which are the highlighted boxes you see on search results pages. You can manage information like contact details, as well as how your business shows up on other Google services like Maps and Search. Having a profile with relevant information can establish a good business reputation.
A Google Business Profile comes with important information that potential customers need, like:
- Address
- Operating hours
- Contact information
- Social media links
- Website
- Photos of your store from the outside and inside
Set up your profile for free here. You need to provide your business name, type, and relevant details.
An accurate address on your Google Business Profile also helps you appear on Google’s Local Pack. This is a list of the three most relevant businesses that appear on the top of Google’s results page.
Pro tip: Enter your business’s complete and exact address. Include suite numbers, floor, and building numbers, if any. You can also pin the exact location on Maps.
#2: Claim your business on review sites
Reviews are the digital age’s version of word-of-mouth recommendations. 9 out of 10 customers read reviews before purchasing. These reviews help potential customers make more informed decisions.
Anyone can leave a review of your business on review sites, but claiming your business on these sites will allow you to manage and respond to these reviews. Claiming your business on review sites has different steps, most of which ask you to provide relevant information about your business.
When you claim your business, you can:
- Respond to reviews and potentially resolve negative ones
- Update your business listing details
- Invite customers to leave reviews on the site
- Use widgets to showcase reviews from the review site on your website or social media
- Utilize reviews for SEO
You can claim your business on popular review sites like Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, Capterra, and Shopper Approved.
Pro tip: You can turn a bad review around. Respond to a negative review earnestly with a desire to help. You know your product better and can provide solutions that may be obvious to you but unknown to your customer.
#3: List your services on social media
More than 50% of consumers purchase products directly from social media listings. Listing your services on social media is a convenient way for customers to see if you have offerings that will match their needs and budget.
To set up your Facebook and Instagram shops, you need business accounts on both platforms. Facebook and Instagram have made it easy to set up your shop, so take advantage of it!
- Go to “Create Your Shop”
- Choose the checkout method for customers
- Upload your catalog and customize the shop’s look
- Publish
Pro tip: For social media sites without a shop or menu feature, you can pin an image of your services to the top of your feed.
Another thing that can help is to add more detail about each service: If you offer printing services, specify the price for different ink and paper. List the couriers you work with and the estimated shipping times and costs for shipping services.
#4: Respond to comments and messages on social media
One of the strongest assets of any digital strategy is to engage with customers. 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them, and when customers feel connected, 57% of them are more likely to increase their spending with you.
Many might have questions about your business—from store hours to service prices—or have support concerns. Be alert and respond to them timely.
Pro tip: Engage with customers by meeting them where they are, for example:
- Run polls or ask questions regarding their interests on Instagram Stories
- Provide career and business insight on LinkedIn
- Do funny videos or behind-the-scenes videos of your store on TikTok
- Participate in meme trends on Twitter
#5: Get listed on the Anytime Mailbox Website
When you sign up as an Anytime Mailbox Operator and start offering virtual mailboxes, your location gets listed on the website at no additional cost. Anytime Mailbox provides your business with a dedicated page where people can see your address and pricing plans.
People can also sign up for a virtual mailbox on the dedicated page. Anytime Mailbox’s marketing efforts target specific locations, so you can get new customers when someone searches for a virtual mailbox in your area.
Pro tip: Offer a virtual mailbox to enjoy the benefits of their robust digital marketing efforts that bring new customers your way every month.
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A strong digital presence introduces you to a broader pool of potential customers. It paves the way for business growth because it helps you boost engagement, build credibility, and maintain your reputation as a trustworthy and valuable mail business center.
Don’t go at it alone!
Anytime Mailbox Operators get signups through our digital marketing efforts monthly. With competitive ad management and top-of-industry social media presence, you enjoy the fruits of our aggressive digital marketing program without lifting a finger.