Invest in your online presence, or you will EAT your hat.

If you want to build a strong online presence, you need to make sure you have a skilful online marketing strategy in place. In today's world, a website is like a storefront for a business or organization. And just like any good storefront, you need to attract the right kind of attention from the right audience.

One important factor in having a successful website is what's known as "EAT." This acronym stands for "Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness." In other words, your website needs to show that you know what you're talking about (expertise), that others vouch for your authority on the subject (authoritativeness), and that people can trust you to provide accurate information (trustworthiness).

There are a variety of ways to display EAT on your website. One is through testimonials and reviews. If you have satisfied customers, ask them to leave a review or testimonial on your site and online business listings like Google Business Profile or Golden Pages. This helps to build trust with potential clients. Another way is to write high-quality content. Your content should be well-researched and relevant to your specific audience. It should also be engaging and interesting to read. Finally, make sure your website is easy to navigate and visually appealing. If it's hard to use or looks dated, or if people struggle to find the information they are looking for, they will click away quickly.

For membership organizations, having a well-designed website is key to gaining attention from potential members and donors. You should display elements of EAT on the website, such as member testimonials, information about membership benefits, and your organization's mission statement. You should also include a membership sign-up form and an easy way to donate. This will make it simple for people to join your organization or contribute financially. Consider adding social media buttons to the site, as this will encourage users to share your content with their networks, leading to more website traffic and engagement.

Investing in online marketing and building EAT into your website will help your business or organization build a solid online presence. You will attract more customers, members, investors or volunteers. With the right online marketing strategy, you will ensure your website is seen by the right people and leads to increased sales, membership sign-ups and donations.