What is Web Presence and Why Should I Care?
One of the hottest words in the web world at the moment is “web presence.” But what does this term even mean – and why should you care?
Your web presence is essentially everything that exists online that has your name or your brand associated with it – from your website to your newsletter to your blog to your social media networks. It also includes a lot of intangible things that are a little harder to measure, such as your online reputation or your scope of influence.
So why does this matter?
First of all, your web presence is the first thing that people see when they look you up online. You know the old saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression?”
Are people getting the right impression of you? If you are trying to market yourself as a serious professional, but a quick Google search reveals drunken party photos – this might make your more conservative clients flinch. If you are a small business trying to play with the big dogs, but your website is shoddy and poorly managed this will give away the game and reveal your inexperience.
You should care about your web presence because it is the sum total of everything regarding you online and it gives your potential customers an idea of who you are and what you are capable of. It can bring you down, or boost you up.
Your web presence should be deliberate and true to you. You can take the time and effort to put together a purposeful web presence by ensuring you have a professional website, updating your social media profiles and sharing your thoughts and expertise on a blog. Before you place anything online ask yourself – “Is this true to who I am and what my brand represents?”
Another huge advantage of a well thought out and conscious web presence is that it brings the right people to you. When you represent yourself well online and showcase your best attributes, you will attract clients and networking contacts who appreciate you for what you have to offer. These people will ultimately be more compatible with you and connecting with them will skyrocket you towards your goals.
Does web presence matter? Absolutely. Some might say it’s one of the most important things you have. So… what does your web presence say about you?