Whether you run a café, a plumbing business, or a consultancy, having a strong online presence is no longer optional: IT’S ESSENTIAL. Even if most of your customers are local, they’re still searching online with google or on social media to find services, compare options, and check reviews.
If your business is hard to find online, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert or spend hours online to make a big impact.
Why it Matters
According to MBIE’s Small Business Strategy, digital capability is one of the key factors that helps small businesses grow and stay competitive. Customers expect to find you online and they expect that experience to be easy and trustworthy.
4 Simple Ways to Boost Your Online Presence
1. Improve Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business profile is often the first thing people see when they search for your business or services nearby.
What you can do:
Claim or update your profile at google.com/business.
Add your correct business name, address, phone number, and website.
Upload recent photos of your work, products, or premises.
Ask happy customers to leave reviews - and respond to them.
Tip:
Keep your hours and contact details up to date. It builds trust and helps people find you easily.
2. Use Social Media (Without It Taking Over Your Day)
Social media helps you stay visible, build relationships, and showcase your work or products.
What you can do:
Choose one or two platforms your customers use (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
Post once or twice a week - share tips, behind-the-scenes photos, or customer stories.
Use scheduling tools like Meta Business Suite or Buffer to plan posts in advance.
Tip:
Don’t worry about being perfect. Authentic, helpful content works better than polished ads.
3. Stay in Touch with Email Updates
Email is a great way to stay connected with customers; especially those who’ve bought from you before.
What you can do:
Collect emails from customers (with permission) and add them to a simple list.
Use free tools like Mailchimp or Mailerlite to send updates, offers, or helpful tips.
Keep it short and useful: think “news you can use” rather than sales pitches.
Tip:
Send emails monthly or quarterly. Consistency matters more than frequency.
4. Make Sure Your Website Works for You
Your website is your digital shopfront. It should be easy to navigate and clearly explain what you offer.
What you can do:
Check that your site loads quickly and works well on mobile.
Make sure your contact details are easy to find.
Add testimonials, FAQs, and a clear call to action (e.g. “Book Now” or “Get a Quote”).
Tip:
If you don’t have a website yet, consider using a platform like Rocketspark (a NZ-based option) – and we are experts so can help you out if you get stuck.
Bonus
Varntige’s Graphic Design and all-round marketing guru Helene shared a couple of videos on this topic earlier in the year – check them out here:
Boost your online presence in 2025 – Part 1
Final Thought
You don’t need to be everywhere online; but you do need to be easy to find. A few small changes can make a big difference in how customers discover and connect with your business. If you need some help boosting your online presence – book in for a free 30 minute chat to see what creative sparks we can create together.
Coming Up Next…
In the next post, we’ll look at how to work smarter—with tips to streamline your operations and save time.
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