Your Competitors Are Already Online. Are You?

Dear offline business,

I hope this post finds you well. You are very hard to find.

Many small businesses continue to operate the old fashioned way, relying on referrals, returning clients, and reputation. These are all valuable, but without an online presence, your business is missing out on a large portion of the market.

Even some businesses that have gone digital treat it as an afterthought. A basic website or an occasional social media post is not enough. Being online is not about ticking a box. It is about building visibility, trust, and momentum.

Visibility Matters

According to a study by WordStream, 75% of users never scroll past the first page of Google search results. This means that if your business doesn't appear on the first page, you're effectively invisible to three out of four potential customers.

Visibility matters more than ever

According to WordStream, 75 percent of users never scroll past the first page of Google search results. If you are not there, you are invisible to three out of four people searching. That is not a small detail. It means potential customers are finding your competitors instead of you.

What does that invisibility cost you?

• Lost leads and missed opportunities
People search online first. If they cannot find you, they will find someone else. A consistent digital presence through SEO, content, and social media helps you show up when it matters.

• Weak brand awareness in your industry
Even if your product or service is strong, a low online presence means you are forgettable. Familiarity builds trust. Regular content and engagement increase brand recognition over time.

• Unpredictable revenue
If all of your business comes from referrals or word of mouth, dry spells are inevitable. Online marketing helps build a pipeline, generating leads while you focus on delivery.

• Higher long term costs
Waiting until you urgently need leads means rushing into expensive solutions. A consistent, low cost content strategy spreads that effort over time and improves marketing return on investment.

A note to those with digital profiles

If you already have a website and social media presence, don't leave them idle. Treat them like assets. We previously shared some ideas on how companies can use social media for outreach. These platforms are powerful when used with purpose.

Where to begin

You do not need a big budget. You need a simple, consistent plan.

• Set up a basic but clear website

• Publish helpful, relevant content

• Optimise for search engines (SEO)

• Show up regularly on social platforms (You don't need to be on EVERY social media platform).

• Track what works and adjust over time.

  
  

The truth is simple. Your competitors are already online. Some of them are not better than you. They are just more visible.

If you are ready to change that, get in touch.