10 Tips For A Small Business To Get More Customers
The first step to building a successful small business is attracting as many customers as you can handle. Here are a few tips on how a small business owner can up the ante on their customer base.
1. Ask For Referrals
If you are confident in that your small business provides quality products or services, you have likely built up a secure base of satisfied customers. Loyal customers are a powerful advantage that could lead to a significant influx of new customers if you play your cards right.
Ask your current customers to support your small business further by referring friends and family members to you. Customer referrals are not a one-way street.
Although you depend on your current customers to make the referrals, you need to be proactive about the process by working referrals into your sales process.
Ask your customers if they are satisfied with your products or services in an email before sending out a follow-up email asking satisfied customers for referrals.
You can even consider incorporating incentives to motivate satisfied customers even more. You could offer your customers a discount for every customer they convert to your small business or something similar that inspires them to take action.
2. Build A Website That Converts
The market is steadily moving into online-centered territory, and it has never been more important to update your website and transform it into an environment that converts more customers.
There are various sure guidelines to building a website that is user-friendly and contains relevant content, like noting the number of graphic elements you incorporate so as not to slow down your website functionality.
Beyond some standard concepts, there are other more important factors to consider in the design of your small business website, so it includes quality content that boosts your business.
If you are relatively unfamiliar with the world of SEO, you may want to consider hiring an expert to ensure a successful website content strategy.
With the majority of people finding small businesses by means of keyword searches on their desktop or mobile devices, it is crucial to incorporate the right keywords into your website content and review your search engine marketing in depth. Google Ads also goes a long way in creating a strong online presence.
Keyword research entails exploring which keywords people are searching to look for a suitable small business that delivers their desired products or services.
If you perform adequate keyword research and keyword analysis, you can compile a keyword list that will surely drive new customers to your small business website or eCommerce store.
Creating a keyword list is quite time-consuming, which is why small businesses are advised to make use of a reputable tool to execute this task.
3. Reconnect With Old Customers
Many businesses tend to move on and forget about old customers who they haven’t done business with for a while, but contacting old customers may be just the reminder they need to start supporting your small business again.
Retrieve your previous contact list and market to old customers on a regular basis. You can contact them via direct mail, text messages, or phone calls and let them know that you miss them.
Customers appreciate a personal touch, and reaching out to previous customers after some time has passed will reassure them of your investment in your customer base.
4. Network
An effective way to gain new customers as a small business owner is by getting involved in good old-fashioned networking organizations, trade associations, your local chamber of commerce, and any other network that allows you to meet new people.
Approach networking with an attitude centred around how you can help others instead of what you can get out of it. If you are a local small business owner, you can even participate in PTA meetings and truly get involved in the community.
These practices prove to potential customers that you are dedicated to providing your products or services to any and everybody and that you are determined to enhance your reputation in the community.
5. Partner Up With Complementary Businesses
A smart way to gain new customers without spending a fortune is by teaming up with complementary businesses. These businesses shouldn’t be directly competitive but should have a similar customer base to your own.
You can collaborate and strategize with other similar businesses and market each other’s expertise to drive new business. It’s a win-win situation!
For example, if your small business sells maternity clothes, partnering with a small business that sells baby products would be an effective way to engage your target audience and gain market share.
6. Get Involved In Community Events
Many surveys have proven that customers like supporting independent businesses that are local to their area. You can enhance your local presence by getting involved in various community events, such as charity events.
If you’re having a particularly profitable year, consider sponsoring your area’s local fun run or Little League Team. All these practices elevate your local profile and generate new customers.
7. Offer Promotions And Discounts
The pandemic had a massive impact on the spending freedom of many individuals. Customers are looking for deals where they can save even a little bit on what they need to have or get done.
Consider offering your new customers discounts on their first purchase or subscription or offering a two for one special on certain purchases. Bargains are a sure way to draw attention to your small business.
Furthermore, if you track which products or services attract the most new customers, you can better market your business in the future and promote customer loyalty. Keeping track of all aspects of your small business administration means you have better insight into the buying journey of your customers.
Adequate upkeep of small business administration is especially crucial for new businesses looking to establish their target market.
8. Benefit From Ratings And Reviews
In this day and age, customers almost exclusively support a business if they have good reviews and ratings. If people aren’t familiar with a company, they turn to other people’s opinions about a small business to drive their decision.
If you notice any customer complaints on an online review and rating site, be sure to respond immediately and attempt to resolve the issue in the best and most supportive way possible. Link your website to review sites, so your website visitors have access to existing customers’ experience with your products or services.
You can also post signage on your site and in your store to encourage customers to share their perspectives with others. The power of social proof must not be underestimated, as new customers rely heavily on the praise of others to support small businesses.
9. Advertise Your Expertise
Promoting your expertise in your industry will create interest and get people talking about your small business. A hint of a buzz among the community will compel new customers to give your small business a try and motivate existing customers to support you even more.
You can enhance your presence by holding educational sessions and volunteering to speak at industry events or any groups to which your target customers belong. This will give potential clients and customers a good overall impression of your small business.
10. Bring A Friend
Offering a “bring-a-friend” deal is similar to asking for referrals. Such a deal entails requesting that your loyal customers introduce your small business to their friends and family members by physically taking them with for a visit to your small business.
For example, if you own a restaurant, you can offer your customers a deal where they only pay for one entry. These types of deals are a well-known way to engage more customers because they are driven by a worthwhile incentive.
If you know where your focus should be directed, you can create a well-rounded and inclusive business plan sure to lead your small business to long-lasting success.
