Keeping your business going during the festive season doesn't have to be stressful, having a website and online shop is your best option to stay relevant.  Here are some ways to make sure your website attracts customers without you having to put in extra work during the holidays.  

• A user-friendly website.

A well-designed website, that looks professional and is quick-loading gives visitors the impression that its owner is not a novice.

• Create high-performance content

Start pulling data sets from different sources and finding content that appeals to users. 

• Social shares

Encourage readers to interact with articles on social media feeds and adjust your content appropriately.

• Building Authority 

 Offering already-written content to bloggers and news sites in your industry is a great way to get your link-building campaign off the ground. 

• Collect the right data

Find out what people are searching for on your website to draw in traffic that is contextually relevant. For tips on running a successful online store, see below:

New This Week (28 November 2023)

• A Guide on How to Start A Taxi Business in South Africa

• Fruit Farming in South Africa – Guide to Getting Started

• LISTEN TO: The SEO Checklist For Business with Marcio Quintal

Marketing Trends for the digital age

Here are some key marketing trends for small businesses to prepare you for the new year:

• Personalised Marketing - Use customer data to personalize emails, offers, and experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

• Video Marketing - If you want to make a big impact through online marketing, creating and sharing video content is possibly the best way to do it. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are all great ways to boost engagement and reach on your video content. 

• Influencer Marketing - Previously exclusive to large brands with substantial budgets, influencers are now more readily available for small businesses in all niches.

• Local SEO and Community Engagement - Brand presence can be strengthened by interacting with the community through partnerships, collaborations, and events.

• Social Commerce - For brands looking to expand their online shopping opportunities and revenue streams, social media features such as Instagram Shopping, TikTok Shops, Facebook Marketplace, and Pinterest Shop should be leveraged.

Business Ideas To Consider In The New Year

South Africa offers an array of potentially profitable business ideas for today's entrepreneurs to consider.

At the moment, the manufacturing, retail, financial services, mining, agriculture, and tourism sectors are the main drivers of the economy.

However, the nation is moving toward a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on financial, e-commerce, technology, and other services. South Africa's green economy is also expanding as the nation looks to solve environmental issues. If you're looking for an innovative idea, we have you covered. Download 25+ business ideas for all industries in South Africa below.