Why Owning Your Digital Identity Matters
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for individuals and businesses alike.
Your digital identity is the sum of all the information and content you put out on the internet. It’s the way you present yourself to the world, and how others perceive you.
Unfortunately, many people and businesses rely too heavily on third-party platforms to create their identity, and as a result, they stand to lose control over it.
The Risks of Relying on Third-Party Platforms
Social media platforms and other third-party sites have created opportunities for users to create new businesses, write valuable content, share your message, and connect with an audience.
However, relying too heavily on these platforms can have serious downsides.
When you use a third-party site to build your content, you are at the mercy of their terms of service, dreaded algorithms and changes in access.
Your content can be deleted or hidden without warning, leaving you with no way to access it or communicate with your followers.
A closer look at the current state of Twitter, and you’ll quickly see a real world example of how this can impact your business.
Twitter’s recent changes in third party API access has not only shutdown businesses overnight, but also left 100’s of thousands of users without their primary tools of choice for connecting with their customers.
Now they’re left with a less than ideal alternative, the stock Twitter app. The app is known for its unreliability, and it’s missing many crucial features previously provided by third party apps.
- The End of the Twitter Client Era
- Twitterrific has gone to the Great Birdhouse in the Sky
- In Memory Of Tweetbot
- Twitter is Getting Worse – YouTube
This serves as a strong reminder that it’s worth pursuing your digital identity in a space where you have more control over your content, your message, your newsletters, and have a direct line of access to your audience.
This way, when you do require the need of a third party service, you still have options when things are changed, your access is limited, revoked, removed or downgraded.
The Benefits of Building Your Own Website
Creating your own website is one of the best ways to take control of your digital identity.
Having your own website gives you full control over your content, your brand, the design, and the ways you interact with your audience.
You don’t have to worry about your content being deleted, and you can build a direct relationship with your audience through your own email list.
If search algorithms decide to devalue your content, you have other methods of attracting visitors. Your content and messages goes with you, you’re in control.
Your website also gives you more options over your data and privacy. You can decide who has access to it and how it is used.
Your Digital Identity and Email
Your emails are an extension of who you are and how you want to be perceived, so make sure you put thought into what goes in them and how they look.
Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to reach potential customers and build relationships with existing ones. Make sure all email communications are clear and professional, and include your digital identity (website or social media links) in the signature.
Having an email address that matches your website’s domain name is a great way to add credibility and professionalism to your communication.
Another major benefit of a matching email to business domain is that you can change third party email providers while maintaining the same email address. This further eliminates your dependence on third party services and puts you in control of your email address.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, owning your digital identity is essential in today’s digital age. Taking control of your online presence by owning your content, embracing newsletters, and creating a direct connection with your community will give you the security and autonomy you need to protect your digital identity.
Your digital identity is more than just a name; it’s an extension of who you are, how you want to be perceived, and how you interact with the world.
Creating an effective digital identity can be a big undertaking, but it is essential for success in today’s digital age.
Carefully Crafted is here to help you take control of your digital identity and digital presence. Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you build digital trust, engage customers, and protect your digital footprint.
