The new year is an ideal time for businesses to reflect on the previous year and formulate ideas on how to make the upcoming year more successful. As a small business owner, it is imperative that you take a close look at your business to figure out what didn’t work in 2019, or what wasn’t working well enough, and make resolutions to reach your desired goals in 2020.

Start off this new year and new decade by strengthening your social media. Social media is here to stay, and is essential to any marketing strategy. In fact, in 2019, 79 percent of the population in the United States had a social networking profile, and that number will continue to grow in 2020. If your social media is lackluster, or non-existent, the new year is the time to enhance it, which can be done via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. Your absence on any of these social media sites gives your competitors that utilize them a distinct advantage. Furthermore, social media can reduce your overall marketing costs, ensure your business is more visible, increase links and help with search engines. 

Another New Year’s resolution you should make is starting a blog. Every small business should have a blog, and if your’s does not, resolve to start one in the new year and to update it frequently. Blogs are ideal for incorporating SEO keywords into your posted content, and for building an online audience and your brand, while generating more business. In fact, statistics show that 81 percent of U.S. online consumers trust information and advice from blogs, 61 percent of U.S. online consumers have made a purchase based on recommendations from a blog and 60 percent of consumers feel more positive about a business after reading custom content on its website. Blogging also leads to lead generation.

Finally, for 2020, update and enhance your website, which is essentially your business’ digital storefront. It should look as professional and enticing as possible, and be chock-full of SEO keywords so search engines can find you. A professional looking website can enhance credibility, keep customers updated on your business and increase sales. It is also a perfect platform for showcasing your products and services and posting client testimonials. A business’ perception is its product, and online consumers will frequently choose a more expensive product or the comparable product/service that happens to have better packaging or visuals based on the perceived value. 

By making these New Year’s resolutions, you can help ensure your small business has a big year in 2020. Make this decade one where your business grows and succeeds beyond expectations.