On August 6, 1991, a new, public landscape emerged from realm of technology: the World Wide Web. And with it came the online business, pocked with the hit-or-miss uncertainty of success.

25 years have passed since then, and with all of that time and data, developers have formulated the pillars of online success for small businesses. With a well-built website and these five core practices engaged alongside it, any small business can thrive online:

1. Online Advertising – Aimed directly at one’s target audience, online advertising is a critical practice for a growing business. There are hundreds of ways to advertise online, but Google AdWords leads the industry in many facets, and, as such, is regarded as the most effective advertising strategy for any small business. Once an advertising campaign is up and running, it’s critical to analyze the data then make adjustments, not only to stretch the dollar but to continue reaching the target audience.

2. Content Creation – Often neglected but most critical to the online business, regular content creation is key. Google says, “Provide high-quality content on your pages, especially your homepage. This is the single most important thing to do.” Businesses slacking to publish timely updates risk being out-published by negative reviews. Businesses who publish regularly become increasingly relevant with their ever-expanding collection of content.

3. Social Networking – The children are our future, and they’re carrying smartphones. One-quarter of the global population use smartphones today, and that is estimated to rise to one-third of the population by 2018. And let’s not forget the billions of PCs and tablet computers in service today. Social networking is an integral part of the online experience across all of these devices; in fact, three out of five Americans use social media regularly. It’s necessary that small businesses engage in this medium – or else stifle their own growth.

4. Search Engine Optimization – If you asked about the oldest trick in the book, then this is it. Any website owner is unlikely to go long without being offered SEO services. The web industry is saturated with SEO companies offering everything from sound solutions to wild claims of extraordinary results. It takes some due diligence to find a good provider. And if it sounds too good to be true, well…

5. Management – The final item emerges from the complexity of the first four items on the list. There are a lot of moving parts to manage when it comes to keeping an online presence afloat. More importantly, there are business goals to achieve. A well-managed online program will measure success by how well business goals are being served, not clicks or hits. It’s about the number of quality business inquiries that can be delivered each month.

At Springs Interactive, we utilize these tried-and-true practices to bring in new business and develop a competitive edge for our clients, all the while guarding and promoting their online reputations and expanding their social engagement. Contact us to get started.