There used to be a time where the existence of something could only be accounted for via a physical presence. Drivers licenses and Social Security cards were all people really had to prove their identities. Now, since the advent of the Internet, having an online presence is seemingly just as essential as a physical one. Today, there are more than 900 million people using Facebook. Facebook and other social media sites have become so successful and integrated into all aspects of life that they nearly serve as validation for the existence of a person or business.

In recent years, businesses and brand experts have become increasingly aware of the necessity of using Facebook and social media as promotional tools. Surveys have shown that 80 percent of small business owners claim to use social media marketing in some form. It has proven to have success, too, as 41 percent of B2C companies have acquired a customer through Facebook. However, not everyone fully understands how businesses use social media as advertising for small businesses as 54 percent of small business owners that were surveyed revealed that they could benefit from some assistance in improving their social media marketing skills. Luckily, there are many online marketing companies that offer business marketing consulting that can assist such owners with advertising ideas for small businesses.

Facebook marketing companies as well as other online marketing companies have realized the trends of how customers interact with the Facebook pages of businesses. If someone clicks like on the Facebook page for a brand or business, it usually means that they are already a customer or they are hoping to receive coupons or discounts. Online marketing companies provide business marketing consulting to small business owners looking to improve their social media presence by studying the particular business thoroughly. During this process, branding experts will pinpoint the target market and goals of the business. The end result is the creation of a strong, well developed marketing plan that utilizes very strategic and effective social media marketing.

In order to be successful, businesses must be taken seriously by their customers as well as their potential customers. With the ever increasing emphasis and importance of social media in the modern world, a strong online presence can be a determining factor in how a business is viewed. Thanks to the business marketing consulting provided by online marketing companies, small business owners who are not so social media savvy need not to fear for the credibility of their business.