Zimbabwe's small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to enhance online presence as a growth strategy.

This comes as research has shown that an online presence is important for outbound marketing because it reinforces your brand and what companies offer to their target market.

Social media strategist Marshall Malaba told delegates attending a  Building Customers for Life seminar in Bulawayo last week that most small businesses operating in the country do not have websites.

Malaba noted that an online presence can maximise resources of a business, increasing sales and the marketing with very little expense.

Another marketing guru James Chapfiwa added that online platforms (Websites) are a reference point for new customers on verifying the legit business from the fly by night and build on customer confidence.

Customer Care Association of Zimbabwe (CCAZ) southern region spokesperson Benson Mukandiwa agreed with Chapfiwa and said it was a well-known fact that in the 21st Century online presence boosts brand awareness.