Building an Online Business

In today's digital age, building an online business has become increasingly accessible and essential for entrepreneurs. While social media platforms have played a significant role in connecting businesses with their audience, recent issues on Twitter & Instagram highlight the importance of not relying solely on social media as your platform. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why social media should be considered a tool rather than the foundation of your online business. We will also discuss practical tips for building a business without being overly dependent on social media.

The Limitations of Social Media

Recent developments on platforms like Twitter have showcased the limitations and risks of relying solely on social media for your business. Changes in algorithms, sudden policy updates, and content restrictions can severely impact your reach and engagement. Twitter's restrictions on user activities, such as the number of tweets, posts, and DMs, have rendered the platform almost unusable for some. Instagram is no stranger to these problems either. By recognizing these limitations, you can develop a strategy that doesn't leave your business vulnerable to unexpected changes.

Have Your Own Platform

Instead of solely relying on social media, it is essential to have your own platform in the form of a website or blog. Having your own URL provides you with control and ownership over your content and allows you to establish your brand identity. Your website can serve as a central hub where potential customers can learn more about your products or services and join your mailing lists or communities. You can point this resource to many different options and easily move if you so choose. All without updating fans or asking people to follow you. 

Utilize URL Shorteners

URL shorteners can be a valuable tool in building your online business. By using URL shorteners, you can create shortened links that are easy to remember and share. Moreover, these shortened links can be changed to point to different destinations, allowing you to adapt and update your marketing campaigns without worrying about broken links. This flexibility ensures that your audience always lands on the relevant content, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Link Bank in Every Profile

Make it a habit to include a link bank in every social media profile you have. A link bank is a list of important links related to your business, such as your website, blog, landing pages, or product pages. By having this list readily available in your profiles, you provide your audience with quick access to the key resources they need to engage with your business further. This strategy helps redirect the focus from accumulating likes or followers to driving meaningful actions, such as joining your mailing lists or communities.

Diversify Your Marketing Channels

While social media can be a valuable tool for reaching your target audience, it should not be your only marketing channel. Relying on a single platform for customer acquisition and engagement puts your business at risk if that platform experiences issues or changes its policies. Explore other channels such as email marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), influencer partnerships, and paid advertising to diversify your reach and mitigate risks.

In the ever-changing landscape of social media platforms, it is crucial for online businesses to recognize the limitations and risks associated with relying solely on these platforms. By viewing social media as a tool rather than your primary platform, you can maintain control, ownership, and stability for your business. Building a website, utilizing URL shorteners, and including a link bank in your profiles are effective strategies to drive your audience to join your mailing lists and communities. Remember to diversify your marketing channels to ensure long-term sustainability and adaptability. By implementing these tips, you can build a robust online business that isn't overly dependent on social media.