Your Web site is most important. It should be clean with clear navigation and as few bells and whistles as possible (unless you are a game store or something equally fun). Your content must target your keywords A website is a critical factor in determining online presence. More and more small and medium-sized businesses have created websites, even if they are extraordinarily basic.

It's my opinion if you don't have a Website, you are not in business today. Most consumers today expect a business to have their own website. Your site is a one-stop, convenient destination to answer questions which will then drive traffic to you – who you are, what you offer, your contact details, rates, updates, news and specials. Note – your website can be as simple as a homepage with your logo and contact details. Even if you don’t operate a store-front business you should still have a website. It offers an accessible face to the Internet-savvy consumer, and you want to be visible to them.

Please, do NOT attempt to create your own site unless you have significant experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, design skills and writing skills. These are all crucial and leaving out one of these aspects will hurt your online presence. The process involves technical, functional and marketing aspects which you will want to set up as successfully as possible. As your business grows, you can develop your site.

Tips:

1. Keep contact information up to date on your site and all directories
2. Be sure you list in the correct categories
3. Include your product or service keywords in your local listings
4. Ask customers to write online reviews about your business
5. Use social networking to bring attention to your services, i.e. Facebook, Twitter and be visible on LinkedIn for all of you professional associations
6. If you have the budget, advertise online; otherwise keep visible on craigslist.org
7. Select your Web hosting company carefully. Your friendly neighborhood host company may not have the services necessary to your success as you grow. You NEED a company that has a solid track record, is available 24/7, charges reasonable fees, has a friendly/knowledgable staff, can fix things within minutes NOT days and has all the latest widgets should you need more widgets! I know all this first-hand 'cause that is the type of service I have gotten from GoDaddy.com for many years.
   

1. Stay visible on search engines like Google and Yahoo, and directory sites like CitySearch and Yellowpages. Listing your product/service will get you better rankings on search results, show customers the correct information about your business, and prevent your listing from getting hijacked:
   1. Visit the relevant search engines and directory sites.
   2. Find the 'Claim your business’ link.
   3. Validate\correct your business details and claim it.
2. Update your full and accurate address on all local business directories, search engines and your website. During downtime, be sure to check all listing sites. Oddly, many small business people still do not understand the importance of online visibility. One of my most successful clients receives about 60% of his business through his Web site. Ignoring this crucial step can cost you thousands of lost dollars. Take the time to check that every relevant site lists your business’s correct address, phone, email, website, and any other contact details.
   1. An updated address generates a sense of trust for customers and search engines, as well as helps more customers find you. Check that your listings are consistent across all sites.
3. List your business in the right categories as customers find you either by specifically searching for your business name or, more commonly, by a general search for a product or service you provide. Simply visit major search engines and directory sites and check which categories your business is listed under. Compare how your competitors categorize themselves and familiarize yourself with the categories offered by the search engines and directories.
   1. Ask your Web designer to be sure that metatags and copy on your site reflect the most popular search terms for your industry.
   2. Choose all the categories relevant to your business so that you’ve covered the range of potential searches.
4. Include product / service keywords in your local business listing title so customers can easily find you through a search for your services/products. This is especially important if your business name does not spell out what you provide. According to industry research, the highest-ranking businesses on search engines have some variation of their top keywords in their listing title (e.g. plumbing, gardening, towing, etc.). When you list your business, incorporate a keyword as naturally as possible.
   1. "Experts" can be expensive. Consult one or more if you can afford to do so; if not, take some time to view competitors' sites and note how you found them and what words are on their pages. Search engines such as google.com or bing.com scan pages for key words and that is how your clients will find you. C
5. Be sure your details are correct and updated on all sites because other directories rely on the top sites (google.com and bing.com) for their listing information. We recommend searching for your own company from time to time to see what shows up. Occasionally, you may find that you are in a directory you didn't know about and the information is incorrect.
6. Ask your customers to submit online reviews about you; include them on your website, and/or ask them to submit online reviews about your business to local business directories. Reviews, of course, build credibility; as important, they help position you higher up the search engine ladder. Any time you have a satisfied customer, ask him/her to take a moment to review.
7. Create more "buzz" around your business . . . you can post new product information on sites such as Facebook and Twitter which will point people to new information about you and your products. This will also attract new customers. Take time to search for your own company and read your online reviews. Learn what customers like and don’t like. You may be able to form a community for your business – a way to communicate with existing customers, advertise sales or specials, and be visible to potential customers.
   1. Unless you are comfortable with social networking, you may want to consult an "expert" to familiarize yourself with the various features of these sites and avoid any practices that may turn off potential customers . . . and be sure to visit them a few times a month.
      1. Note: I put quotes around "expert" because this is an area one has to be cautious; many people claim to be expert at this or that -- starting with your Web designer -- but all too often they prove to be lacking in one or another important positioning arena.