This is important to digest, regardless whether you're in the process of launching a new startup in Malaysia or have an existing business thinking of venturing online, having a strong online presence is important.
There is a collective understanding and awareness that brand development and digital marketing is important. However, measurability of ROI is always the major hurdle that most small business owners in Malaysia struggle to get past.
The most common and frequently asked question that's raised amongst the business owners in Malaysia we meet is; Is there a way for business owners to track ROI?
Just to get this done and dusted from the very beginning. As long as your small business does not appear on the 1st page of search, 90% of searchers won't find you. And to ensure that your efforts online do not go to waste, there's some groundwork that needs to be done (including the dreaded topic of SEO and keyword research).
Local businesses, need to constantly monitor that they have their information always up-to-date and readily available when potential clients were to search for them. For example, new phone numbers, store operating hours, new locations, etc.
Register your local business for free on Google Maps to appear on searches easily.
Below we'll help you cover the basics, and intricate details to guide you in getting started on Marketing on the Internet, to benefit from visitors searching for products and services online.
Questions this article will answer are:
- How can I make a website, with no coding experience and with little budget?
- Is there a reason why my website isn't appearing on Google?
- What is blogging and why does it matter?
- Why do I need social accounts?
- How do I get more traffic to my website?
Let's start ...
The core of small business marketing in Malaysia
3, 2, 1 ... Your business has been established. You've filled up the necessary paperworks and understand that the most important things you'll need to begin leveraging your marketing online is by acquiring new customers from organic search.
Also, compiled below are some great suggestions of FREE apps for your startup / small business ~
1. How can I make a website (with no coding experience and with little budget)?
A website now is equivalent to your shopfront. And any good first impression your small business can make is valuable.
Your website shows who you are, what you offer, where you are, and how a potential customer can get in touch with you.
The Internet has matured where services now cater for the DIY business owner (helps when you have a small budget).
Popular suggestions from us:
- Website: Shopify.com. wix.com, squarespace.com
- Website hosting: Everworks, Shinjuru, Exabytes
- Payment gateways: iPay88, MOLPay
Most of these options come with pre-made website design templates for your website that you can either purchase or use for free.
For business owners with a small budget, opt for freelancers or agencies willing to bundle a package for you. Speak with a sales rep from Everworks to learn more about options available to you.
If time / computer technology do not work in your favor, consider using a freelancer or a small marketing agency which specializes in web design.
You can find freelancers here at Upwork / Freelancer.
2. Is there a reason why my website isn't appearing on Google?
If you already have a business, try searching for yourself (product / services you offer).
One quick reason that can be commonly solved could be due to your hosting solution. Find out how choosing the best web host instantly improves your SEO here.
However, there are a lot of factors that affect your ranking on Google. Essentially, Google tries to find the best content to present to a person searching for a particular piece of information.
For example, If I am looking for the best place to host a birthday party in KL, Google would want to present me with results of locations in KL that are available for me to host a birthday party.
And the most important factor is SEO. What is SEO? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It's a technique to help your website rank better on Google making your website more visible to people who are looking to solve a particular question they have in mind.
Simply, it is a method of structuring your website / blog posts to be in the best shape for appearing on the first page of search results.
The best way to take advantage of SEO is through your blog content. Content on your blog doesn't just help to inform and educate your buyers, but also it helps Google to match search words with relevant words in your blog post.
3. What is blogging and why does it matter?
As discussed above, blogging helps your website to appear on Google. Most importantly on the first page. Getting ranked No 1 is the ultimate goal.
Frequency and quality of content which appear to solve a searcher's queries is imperative. and a great way to do this through your blog.
To start a blog, you can use inexpensive options, and just to list a few suggestions:
Once you start writing blog posts for your small business, you can add a call-to-action on your posts to encourage visitors to interact with your business.
A great way to capture new leads is by encouraging them to subscribe to newsletter updates through email. Learn more about how email is everyone's number 1 tool here (44x ROI for every $1 spent, this is a hidden secret that all small business owners should take advantage of).
Great suggestions to email tools include:
4. Why do I need social accounts?
Social is powerful. It helps you to increase traffic, improve your search rankings, and empowers your customers to engage / interact with you.
For your small business in Malaysia ensuring that you maintain current information online, only helps to encourage discoverability for your business.
Important social accounts your small business in Malaysia that can be claimed (for free):
5. How do I get more traffic to my website?
Using the tools above to introduce your business, the advantages your product / service provides and retaining interest in your business if the need isn't present to purchase at this moment.
Step 1: Build content which provide value above and beyond to your potential customers.
Step 2: Share that value through social
Step 3: Retain interest through your email, because 72% of adults prefer communicating through email. Email converts, and here's a great resource on how to get started on your email marketing strategy.
Step 4: Convert on your website
Persist in your discovery online to be discovered.
The road sounds long, but any steps you make will surely have an impact on your small business. Don't expect instant results, but demand consistent achievements. Blogging will take a few months to start sending you traffic, but paid social accounts can have immediate effects.
Congratulations on starting / updating your small business in Malaysia! Let us know if our tools above have helped you.
