Six tips from Facebook for maximising online results for your small business
JOBURG – To make the most of your Facebook and Instagram presence, it's important to make sure your content is compelling and to post frequently.
During a challenging time for small businesses around the world, digital platforms and tools have given business owners an invaluable lifeline.
Facebook research shows that nearly nine in 10 operational small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) worldwide are using at least one of the Facebook family of apps such as Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, and Instagram.
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Facebook Africa’s regional director, Nunu Ntshingila said, “Our research shows that one in two small businesses in South Africa has yet to see revenues recover to pre-pandemic levels. Our aim is to provide tools and solutions that will empower them to navigate the challenges of the ongoing pandemic; find new customers, create revenue streams, and ultimately, thrive in a time of adversity.”
Ntshingila offered the following six tips to help small businesses grow their online presence and master the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis:
Create engaging content
To make the most of your Facebook and Instagram presence, it’s important to make sure your content is compelling and to post frequently. We recommend posting two to three times per week.
Begin by defining the business goal you’re trying to achieve such as getting people to attend an event, building brand awareness, or driving sales. Then, you can tailor your messaging to encourage people to take action.
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Visual content captures attention, so be sure to include a visual element in your posts like a photo or video to connect with your customers. You can produce high-quality photos and videos easily from your phone, so this doesn’t need to be expensive.
Run virtual events
If you run a services business that depends on face-to-face interactions — be it playing live music, hosting business conferences, or running fitness classes — the pandemic may have been especially challenging for you.
With Facebook Paid Online Events, you can create, market, charge a one-time fee, and gate access to a live virtual experience. This enables you to keep serving customers who don’t feel quite ready to join you face-to-face for an event or class.
Fast-track into e-commerce
It’s no longer complex or expensive to run your own customisable e-commerce shop. With Facebook Shops, you can set up an online store within minutes, using simple tools to create an attractive branded storefront that works on both Facebook and Instagram.
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Get serious about online lead generation
During these challenging times, most small businesses could use more customers. Facebook’s lead ads are a great way to find new prospects. When someone clicks your ad, a prepopulated Instant Form lets them request a quote, a consultation, or an appointment – all in just a few taps.
Build an online community
Your business’s Facebook page can help you build a community around your brands and its products. The new Page experience gives you the tools to manage your business Page without leaving the Facebook app. Businesses can now engage as their business profile, making tasks like commenting, posting, and liking as a business easier.
With a dedicated business News Feed, separate from your personal one, you can easily engage with your communities and find relevant content from other businesses.
Explore the Business Resource Hub
We know that operating your business may be more difficult than usual during these uncertain times. Find tips, training, and more to help you stay open and connected to customers during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak on the Facebook Business Resource Hub.
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Digital platforms have made it easier for small business owners to grow and develop their brands for long-term success, with social media playing a pivotal role if one understands how to use it wisely. The first steps are to understand your target audience while using the right tools and creating engaging content to help grow your online presence.
