The start of a new year is always a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and intentionally set your business up for growth. Whether you run a home service company, a professional service firm, or a local business, growing online isn’t about chasing every new trend — it’s about focusing on the fundamentals that actually move the needle.
As we head into this year, there are four proven, practical ways you can strengthen your online presence, build trust faster, and attract more of the right customers. These aren’t complicated strategies or “get rich quick” ideas — they’re realistic actions you can start implementing right away.
I am going to use these at Launch Kits and so I am passing them along to you as well!
1. Build Trust Faster by Growing Your Google Reviews
Before someone calls, emails, or fills out a contact form, they almost always look you up online. And one of the first things they notice? Your Google reviews.
A strong review profile helps potential customers trust you before they ever speak to you. The number of reviews, how recent they are, and whether you respond to them all play a big role in whether someone chooses your business or your competitor.
Why Google reviews matter more than ever
- People trust online reviews almost as much as personal recommendations
- Fresh reviews signal that your business is active and reliable
- A higher review count improves visibility in local search results
- Reviews often answer objections before a customer reaches out
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s consistency.
Simple ways to get more reviews (without being awkward)
Growing your review count doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. Small, repeatable actions add up quickly.
Try these easy ideas:
- Text past customers and politely ask for a review
- Send a short follow-up email with a direct review link
- Spend 15 minutes once a week reaching out to recent clients
- Include a review request in your invoice or thank-you email
- Ask happy customers verbally at the end of a successful job
Make it easy with QR codes and printed reminders
Sometimes people want to leave a review — they just forget.
Helpful offline ideas:
- Create a QR code that links directly to your Google review page – use QRmonkey.com for free.
- Add the QR code to a simple postcard or flyer – use a free account on canva.com to easily design and print!
- Leave postcards with customers after completing a job
- Keep a few in your vehicle if you run a service business
Don’t forget to optimize your Google Business Profile
While you’re focused on reviews, take a few minutes to polish your profile.
Quick wins include:
- Updating business hours
- Uploading recent photos
- Responding to every review (yes, even short ones)
- Making sure your contact details are accurate
Set a realistic goal based on where you are now. If you have 10 reviews, aim for 20. If you have 50, aim for 100. Progress beats perfection.
2. Put a Face to Your Brand with a Simple Intro Video
People prefer to work with people — not just logos, websites, and business names. One of the easiest ways to humanize your brand online is by creating a short introductory video.
This doesn’t require fancy equipment, a studio, or editing skills. Your phone is more than enough.
What your intro video should include
Keep it simple, natural, and authentic. Think of it as a digital handshake.
Your video can cover:
- Who you are
- What your business does
- Who you help
- How someone can take the next step
Aim for two to three minutes. That’s it.
Where to use your video
Once you’ve recorded it, that single video can be used in multiple places online.
Smart places to share it:
- Upload it to YouTube (great for search visibility)
- Add it to your website’s About page
- Share it on social media
- Include it in email introductions or proposals
Google indexes YouTube content, so even a basic video helps strengthen your online presence.
Why video builds trust so quickly
- Customers feel like they already “know” you
- It removes uncertainty and hesitation
- It shows confidence and transparency
- It makes your business feel approachable
You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to be real. A genuine video recorded on your phone often performs better than something overly polished.
3. Try Something New to Unlock Online Growth
Growth rarely comes from doing the same things year after year. Trying something new — even on a small scale — can spark creativity, uncover new opportunities, and move your business forward online.
The key is experimentation, not perfection.
Online and offline ideas worth testing
You don’t need to do everything. Pick one or two ideas that feel interesting or slightly uncomfortable.
Ideas to experiment with:
- Run a small Facebook or Instagram ad campaign
- Write one helpful blog post or tip article per month
- Add yard signs or local signage that points people online (again – use canva.com to easily design and print)
- Join your local chamber of commerce
- Attend an industry conference or trade event
Strengthen your brand through partnerships
Partnering with complementary local businesses can significantly increase referrals — both online and offline.
Examples of smart partnerships:
- Painters partnering with real estate agents
- Landscapers partnering with driveway or fencing companies
- Photographers partnering with event planners
- Web designers partnering with marketing consultants
These partnerships often lead to shared content, referrals, and increased online visibility.
Empower someone on your team
If you have a team, you don’t have to do everything yourself.
You could:
- Assign a team member to grow your social media presence
- Let them experiment with content ideas
- Give them ownership and trust
Fresh perspectives often lead to creative online growth.
Invest time in yourself as the business owner
Trying something new also includes stepping back to think.
Consider:
- Taking a one-day personal planning retreat
- Working on your business instead of in it
- Turning off notifications and focusing on strategy
When you grow as a leader, your business grows with you.
4. Refresh Your Website to Support Online Growth
Your website is often the first impression people have of your business. Even small updates can make a big difference in how professional, trustworthy, and current your brand feels. If you need a website, then get a simple one-page website live this week!
Areas to review and update
You don’t need a full redesign — just make sure things are accurate and fresh.
Start with:
- Contact information
- Business hours
- Team bios and photos
- Services offered
- Project galleries or case studies
Outdated websites quietly cost businesses leads every day.
Add recent content and visuals
Fresh content signals that your business is active and engaged.
Simple updates include:
- Uploading recent project photos
- Adding testimonials or reviews
- Updating service descriptions
- Including your new intro video
Even a few changes can improve conversions.
Work with your web team proactively
Send a quick message to whoever manages your site and ask for a basic audit. A fresh set of eyes can catch small issues that make a big difference.
Final Thoughts: Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Growing your business online this year doesn’t require massive budgets or complicated strategies. It comes down to intentional actions:
- Build trust with reviews
- Show up personally through video
- Try something new
- Keep your website current
You don’t have to do everything at once. Choose one area to start, build momentum, and layer in the others over time.
Here’s to a year of steady growth, stronger connections, and showing up confidently online in 2026!
