The new year is a time for people to reflect on the previous year and formulate ideas on how to make the upcoming year even better, and this holds true for businesses as well. 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 2016, or what wasn’t working well enough, and make resolutions to reach your desired results in 2017, including the following three:

No. 1: Strengthen your social media. Social media is here to stay and is essential to any marketing strategy. If your social media is lackluster, or non-existent, the new year is the time to enhance it, which can be done on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 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, make your business more visible, increase links and help with search engines.

No. 2: Start a blog. Every small business should have a blog, and if you don’t, 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, the process of inciting interest in a product or service for the purpose of developing sales and increased website traffic.

No. 3: Update and enhance your website. Your website is essentially your business’ digital storefront and 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.

Blog by Dale Myers. the NALA's Head Writer.