
Amanda Farrell - 2 years ago
Like all entrepreneurs, notaries put a lot of time and effort into building a successful notary business. Deciding which tools are worth investing in can be difficult. There are some items that you simply can’t function without, like a printer, your notary stamp, and a journal. Besides the essentials, what other investments do notaries need to make to succeed?
One common question from new notaries is: “Do I have to have a website?”
The short answer is no. It’s possible to establish a notary business and get referrals without a tailored online presence, but a website can help you reach more people, provide valuable information to your prospect, and drive revenue goals. If you’re serious about turning your notary business into a long-term and successful career, a website should be part of your plan.
Even in smaller communities, consumers look online to learn more about their purchasing options. A website with the right keywords and vital business information will help notaries make a good first impression. Your website should tell people who you are, what you do, and why it matters to them.
People conduct multiple online searches every day. People use the internet to discover new businesses from product reviews to which restaurant to choose for dinner. This is true for notary services too!
Having a website is an opportunity for people to find you easily without having to invest in traditional marketing like advertising or cold calling. Google and other search engines will also tailor the search results of certain queries based on location. This is known as local SEO.
In order to rank high on certain search terms for users in your area, you’ll want to make sure that you have also set up a Google My Business account. Creating key business pages in tandem with your own site is an important part of a notary’s digital marketing.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that your website is easy to navigate. Good site structure means that users will easily find the information relevant to them. Google rewards well planned and organized websites. Behaviors of users, like time spent on a page and conversions, will signal that your site has valuable information, leading to increased search rankings.
At first, you can start with a small site featuring the five pages every website needs, including:
So before you publish your site, spend a little time planning out the hierarchy of your pages. You don’t need to have every blog post or page ready to publish today, but be sure to plan for it in the future so it’s organized as your site grows.
Good branding goes beyond a cool logo and fun business name to encompass the entire customer experience. Your website is the best place to develop the messages that resonate with your target audience and define your company’s personality.
Most people searching online are looking to solve a problem. As a notary, your website should communicate how your services cater to the needs of potential customers and add value that competitors lack. For instance, if you’re a notary signing agent hoping to connect with more real estate professionals and increase your number of signing, you’ll need to understand the working dynamics of these professionals and their unique needs to write an effective value proposition.
Three tips for developing your website branding include:
A well-structured site with good branding and clear communication will encourage visitors to take important actions like filling out a form for a quote or requesting specific services.
Promoting your business is the main point of having a site! Once you lay the groundwork of organizing your site, you can shape the kind of actions visitors take. A call-to-action (CTA) is any prompt used to elicit a response. When writing the value proposition, sub-heading, and beneficial points, you’ll want to add a clear and decisive CTA.
Calls-to-action to add to your site:
Your CTA should reflect your goals, and whatever goal is your main priority should be the most prominent CTA. If scheduling more appointments are your number one goal, this CTA should be featured on your main navigation as well as the home page’s hero banner. Sometimes, visitors may not be ready to start working with you right away, so giving them one alternative CTA with less commitment can help you capture a lead to nurture.
To create a powerful message that converts visitors into leads, avoid vague terminology or overly-branded jargon. Website visitors are impatient, so be sure to use language that is quickly and easily understood.
Not only can you use a website to promote your services, but it’s a great way to understand better what your clients need, want, and do.
There are two ways to gather feedback from your customers on a website:
The feedback you get from clients can provide you with ideas on how to improve your site, topics for educational blogs and social media posts, or additional services that are needed.
In the 21st century, websites are a critical follow-up piece of marketing collateral after handing someone your business card or listing your notary services on an online directory. People interested in using your services will usually want to know more, and your website is the perfect place to do that.
There are many cost-effective website-building tools available to small businesses today, so it’s worth considering. Purchasing a domain name, website hosting, and website builder usually runs between $100 and $500 a year, depending on what add-ons you pick.
It’s a small investment to demonstrate your work as a notary is more than a hobby. Getting the attention and business of key professionals you hope to turn into repeat clients is easier with a professional, organized, and well-branded website.
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