Small business owners spend a lot of time online in an effort to deliver a consistent message about their brand or company, whether it is to update their websites, write blog articles or post new content on their social media feeds. In doing so, they sometimes tend to overlook the fact that traditional printed products remain a very powerful advertising tool.
A very effective way to draw attention to your website offline is simply to mention your web address every time your name is mentioned in print form.
What a player Andy Moran ❤️💚👏 pic.twitter.com/7aKV7u4E1U
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Mention your web address
Printed products can include of course any paper-based print media like newsletters, articles or press releases as well as business cards, stationary, brochures, flyers, leaflets or posters. When writing a press release or an article for a newspaper or a magazine, always mention your web address at the end.
Add your web address on company clothes, hoodies or T-shirts, on your company car or van, on printed business listings, on promotional signage, biros, mugs, bags, balloons, flags, stickers or magnets etc.
Keep it simple
In print form, it is now acceptable to drop the http:// or https:// in front of a web address. It is also fine to omit www simply because a .ie or a .com after a name have become self-explanatory and indicate this is a website. A lot of web hosts provide an automatic redirect from www. to non www. and vice-versa. Google will bring you to the exact web address regardless.
What are the benefits?
When drawing up new offline promotional material, always make sure to include your company name or logo AND your website address.
Spelling out your web address on print materials or printed products
- Shows you have an online presence and adds credibility
- Will clearly prompt potential customers to check you up online
- Removes any confusion about your business name and location, especially in the trade and retail sectors where businesses providing similar products or services are located in different towns, cities or counties.
