Identity verification has been a fundamental aspect of human society since the concept of naming individuals came into existence. As populations grew and the number of people sharing common names increased, it became necessary to develop methods for distinguishing between individuals.
What is your identity when it comes to the digital world? Whatever you post on the internet and how you interact online determines your digital presence. Whether you’re an individual or an organization, your digital identity includes your personal details, contact information, website, social media profiles, and other digital assets.
The impact of having a positive digital presence
A well-executed digital identity strategy can yield a wealth of benefits for an organization, from improved efficiency and revenue growth to enhanced user experiences for both employees and customers.
However, it's unfortunate to see so many companies still dragging their feet on fully incorporating digital identity as a foundational aspect of their operations. By failing to recognize the value that a strong digital identity can provide, they're missing out on a host of transformative opportunities.
As a business, you need engagement to thrive. In today’s competitive digital world, it's vital for companies to connect with consumers and stay relevant. In recent years, many consumers have turned to the internet to find what they want.
Having a strong digital presence is key to communicating with consumers. It's your chance to define who you are as a brand and stand out from the competition. Your digital presence goes beyond just your website, it includes all the different ways consumers interact with your brand online.
This includes not only your website but also conversations about your brand on social media and online reviews. To make a great impression on consumers, make sure to improve all aspects of your brand online.
Best practices for a positive and strong digital identity
According to a recent study by the McKinsey Global Institute, the creation of effective digital IDs has the potential to generate significant value for individuals and institutions globally. Here is what you can do to build a powerful digital identity:
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Build a professional website
Do you have a great website to showcase your business or portfolio? Whether you want to sell, drive brand awareness, or hire online, it’s imperative to have a fast website with an excellent user experience.
Needless to mention that your online presence plays a significant role in your overall success, regardless of the industry. You need to understand that many of your customers or job seekers will visit your website as a first point of reference before making a purchase or submitting an application.
Even if you’re an individual looking to build a strong personal brand or portfolio, you need to build a great-looking website.
So, take your website as an opportunity to showcase your unique identity through design elements such as colors, fonts, text, video, and images. Use it effectively to connect with your target audience by addressing their pain points and providing solutions to their problems.
A company's reputation is of utmost importance during the job search process, as a staggering 86% of job seekers are less likely to apply or continue working for a company with a negative reputation among former employees or the general public. Your website and social media presence tell a lot about your brand reputation.
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Have a healthy social media presence
Social media is a cornerstone of a positive and strong digital identity. Whether you want to build an employer brand or drive sales, having a presence on social media is a must. With over 3 billion users worldwide, social media platforms offer a vast audience to connect with and reach out to. Facebook alone has over 2.93 billion active users.
Your presence on social media can go a long way in building trust and credibility with both current and potential customers. For many consumers or job seekers, a lack of social media presence can raise doubts about a company's legitimacy and reputation.
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Understand your audience
For whom do you want to build a strong online presence? The internet is a massive world and not everyone is interested in your business. Therefore, you need to understand and narrow down internet users to find the right people who are most likely to do business with you.
This is probably the first step you need to take before branding your business or building a personal website or even social media profiles. If you know your audience, you would be able to create highly personalized content.
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Take advantage of emerging technology
In 2023, it’s not hard to find the right tools and insights to build a strategic digital presence. However, it’s not possible to get it done without tools. For example, if you want to run a paid social media campaign, you need tools to track your performance and gain insights.
Likewise, if you want to take advantage of email marketing, you have to use some email automation tools to amplify your efforts. If we talk about recruiters or HR professionals, they need smart talent management software like Wiggli that can strengthen their online presence while automating their processes.
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Be where your audience is
In order to effectively establish an online presence, it is crucial to first determine where your target audience is spending their time. By identifying the platforms and communities where your audience is active, you can then focus your efforts on creating and promoting content on those specific channels.
For example, if your audience primarily uses Instagram, it would be a waste of resources to heavily invest in building a presence on Twitter if your audience is not active there. Instead, focusing on creating engaging and relevant content for Instagram, as well as utilizing Instagram's features and tools for promotion, will help to build a strong and visible presence for your brand on that platform.
It's important to note that building a strong online presence doesn't only mean having a large number of followers or likes. It's also about creating a consistent and authentic image, engaging with the right people, and providing value through your content.
By showing up where your audience is and providing them with relevant and valuable content, you'll be able to build a loyal customer base and establish a strong online presence that will help your to stand out and be noticed.
Build a strong digital identity in 2023
Having a positive and strong digital identity is important for building trust and credibility online. To effectively achieve this, update social media profiles with relevant information, build a professional online presence through platforms such as LinkedIn, and actively engage with others in the online community through comments, blogs, and forums.
It's also important to maintain a good online reputation by avoiding controversial or offensive content and being transparent about who you are and what you do.
Besides, be sure to secure your online accounts with strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication. Be mindful of privacy settings that can help you protect your digital identity.
