#DigitalGarage

Tell Your Story OnlineImproving your digital presence

#DigitalGarage

Welcome to the Digital Garage

Build a consumer-friendly website and make it shine

across all devices

Manage your presence on Google and

improve your visibility

Boost your social presence and tell your story through content

Today’s session is about telling your story online…

Key aims of this session

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The Digital Economy in the UK

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UK customers are some of the most digitally active in the world

Percentage of people who buy things online at least once a monthWhen it comes to buying online the UK is the global number 1

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Small businesses with a strong web presence

2xfaster growth than those

with minimal or nonenumber of new

jobs createdmore likely to sell outside

their immediate region

Sources: Lord Young 2013, McKinsey 2011, BCG 2014

2x +50%

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Recognise the opportunity

Source: Lloyds Digital Business Index 2014

of small businesses and charities have

a website

50%

of those provide anything more than

basic company information

23%

are not taking advantage of the growth opportunities of the web

88%

#DigitalGarageWays to have a presence online

Your own website

+ full control of your brand: domain, hosting, messaging, content

+ opportunity for multiple pages and functions

+ quick to set up+ often free or low cost+ can be hosted in places

which provide access to much bigger audiences

Other web platforms

Advantages

Downsides - harder to create and probably more costly

- less control of your brand and functionality

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Creating a website

Two key steps:

#DigitalGarageTop 5 tips for building a successful site

Make the content simple and easy to digest.Break up long paragraphs and use bullet points

Identify a website’s purpose / goal

Make sure your site loads quickly.g.co/pagespeedinsights

Strong calls to action.‘Buy now’, ‘Subscribe’, “Download our guide

Make mobile a priority.Optimise for different devices. g.co/mobilefriendly

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Does your site shine across all devices?Have you seen what your site looks like on mobile?

g.co/mobilefriendly

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Mobile design for success

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Prominent Calls to Action

Clear navigation links

Streamline form fills

Don’t make users pinch and zoom

Keep menus short & sweet

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Key takeaways for building your own site

Identify your website goals to improve usability for your

customers

Visit g.co/mobilefriendlyto see if your website is

mobile friendly

Find certified developers to help build your websitegoogle.com/partners

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Your own website

+ full control of your brand: domain, hosting, messaging, content

+ opportunity for multiple pages and functions

+ quick to set up+ often free or low cost+ can be hosted in places

which provide access to much bigger audiences

Other web platforms

Advantages

Downsides - harder to create and probably more costly

- less control of your brand and functionality

Other ways to have a presence online

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Other ways to have an online presence

MarketplacesSocial platforms

Blogs Local directory / Review sites

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89% of the UK population is an active internet user with 38 million people actively using social media. Users spend on average 1hr 36m per day.

The UK lives on Social

30-33m UK users (46-50% of the UK’s

population)

15m UK users (23% of the UK’s

population)

41.5m UK users (87% of UK’s population)

19m UK users (29% of the UK’s

population)

#DigitalGarageWhy great content matters

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Start with your audience

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Where are they?

What do they do?

Who do they follow?

Ask yourself the following questions:

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Finding your followers

Influencers will become your vocal advocates, use them like a fan club;

Here are some tools to help you find your potential followers:

● Twitter search and lists● Google search● Blog search and lists● Recommended subscribers on YouTube● Followerwonk● Tweetreach● Buzzsumo

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Tips for writing a social media bio

Keep it relevant & talk about your businessLimited number of characters. This should be short and straight to the point. Talking about what your business does. Make sure you use some of your keywords around your business.

Keep it clear & consistentRegularly update your branding e.g seasonal / products. Keep it clear, they have to ‘get it’ instantly

Show your personality & Have funBe honest and make sure everything you say in your Bio is true.

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The power of YouTube

In 2014 Digital overtook TV as the primary source of media consumption in Britain

Mobile is the key driver to this category - 45% of all videos viewed online are through tablet or Mobile device.

Be a Thought LeaderCreate educational videos that offer genuine value to users, no need to sell.

Create shareable contentViewers are more likely to share a video that elicits a strong emotional response.

Identify potential collaboratorsResearch popular YouTube creators who share your target audience.

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Source: eMarketer, March 2014

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g.co/creatoracademy

Learn from everyday experts

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Google My Business

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How do you look on Google?

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Go to google.com/business

Claim your business listing

Complete your business profile

Be found on Google

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Summary (your 4 things to do today)

Book a sessiong.co/newcastlegarage

Make it mobile friendlyg.co/mobilefriendly

Manage your presence on Googlegoogle.com/business

Is it mobile friendly?

Have you claimed your listing?

NO

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

Do you have a website?

Get tips from expertsg.co/creatoracademy

Have you considered online video

NO

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Learn more: g.co/digitalgarage

Share your story: goo.gl/LX7ky6

Thank You!

Slides: goo.gl/FeGrYo

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