As a small business owner, you’re always looking for ways to improve your operation. Online business is proliferating, and it’s essential to develop an online program that appeals to a broad audience. Although your website is a marketing tool to promote your business and provide e-commerce to customers, it should also be a source of useful information that users can access to gain knowledge in your field. You can enhance your online visibility and expand your audience by implementing the following suggestions.

Small Business

1. Cybersecurity

Every small business should have a robust cybersecurity program to protect its customers and employees from hackers. Although larger companies receive the most media attention after a cyberattack, hackers target companies of all sizes and won’t hesitate to infiltrate your system if a weakness exists. Find an experienced and trusted IT provider like an IT company in Cambridge to protect your business from cyberattacks. Most security firms offer different options for protection services, and it’s best to choose a plan that provides several layers of safeguards. In addition to using virus protection software, you can use cloud computing and virtual private networks for added protection.

Using a cloud to backup your company’s data will protect your business in the event of a cyberattack. If a hacker damages your hard drives, you may be unable to access your company’s data unless it’s backed up by a cloud. With a cloud, you can access data remotely and restore any systems that were damaged by cybercriminals. Similarly, safe phone connections and communication is equally important to stay protected. Therefore, business VOIP phone service can be relied upon.

A virtual private network (VPN) protects your site by hiding your IP address and masking your location. When employees browse the web, the VPN will block advertisers from tracking your location by displaying a false IP address from another area of the country.

2. Password Protection

Fraudulent transactions have become a frequent issue for business owners. When a criminal assumes a registered member’s identity, they can make changes to the account and purchase items with stolen credit card numbers. You can minimize fraudulent transactions by improving the password protection for your e-commerce options. Use a fifteen-digit password that requires members to use a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. You can also ask users to provide at least two forms of identification to verify their identity. This multi-factor authentication process has become the standard operating procedure for most successful online companies.

3. Software Updates

The frequent software updates that are requested every week can be irritating, but you shouldn’t hesitate to update all your applications. Outdated software is a favourite target of hackers because it doesn’t include the latest security improvements and is easily manipulated. To make the process of updating less time consuming, you can customize your devices to update at specified periods when employees are finished with the workday. You should also locate and close any outdated social media accounts or memberships that you seldom use to deter hackers from stealing company data.

4. Website Improvements

An unattractive, error-ridden website can keep you from developing a loyal online following. Inspect your website for graphical and grammatical errors before adding new content and look into enhancing your site’s appeal by purchasing a new theme. A site’s theme should represent a company’s unique offerings relative to its field. For instance, if your company sells auto parts, you shouldn’t use a theme displaying mountain landscapes or flying eagles. 

Your site should offer customers entertaining articles and posts, important company announcements concerning upcoming events and a secure process for e-commerce. You can also integrate applications on your website like a route planner that would create a business web route to help you in making faster deliveries. Although you can make changes to your pages as an administrator, you should frequently examine your site as a customer to ensure your business appeals to a growing audience.

5. Employee Monitoring

Small companies often run into problems when several employees have access to company information. By limiting the team members who have access to your data, you can improve your online security and protect your clients’ data. You can also develop a set of guidelines for your employees that explain which sites are off-limits and potentially hazardous.

Using the previous tips, you can enhance your online presence, increase traffic and continue to build upon your success.