How to Attract New Customers to Your Small Business
Keeping customers happy is a big part of any business, but it’s only one aspect. In order to maximize your profits, you need to bring in new customers. They shouldn’t just be one-offs. You need to develop strategies that will turn them into repeat shoppers. Here are a few tips.
- Identify your ideal customer
Having a conversation with one person is more effective than yelling into a crowd. This is crucial in sales strategy. When you know the exact consumer you’re targeting, you can tailor promotional messages that will appeal to them. Draft a profile of your ideal consumer, zoning into their age, gender, occupation, living situation, and hobbies.
- Tell them how you can solve their problem
As part of your customer profile, think about the wants and needs of your target consumer. Think about how your product or service can fulfil those needs, then craft a message that explains this to your customer. Don’t just tell them what’s good about your product or how you feel about your service. Identify their challenges and requirements, then tell them how you can solve that problem.
- Offer a good shopping experience
Once your prospect is convinced that they should buy from you, make sure they enjoy their purchase journey. Begin with a compatible online shopping cart that is easy to use and seamlessly fits your web design. Offer encrypted card processing with instant verification for fast service. Upload clear inventory listings with clear pictures, accurate descriptions, and up-to-date pricing, inclusive of taxes. If you don’t have an item in your shop, offer customers an option to order direct, or to get something else tailored to fit their needs.
- Get connected to similar businesses
Think carefully about other small businesses that can complement yours. Approach them and develop a symbiotic partnership. This way, you can all benefit from one another’s customer base. For example, a cleaning company can partner with a soap manufacturer. A gift shop can partner with a crafts maker or a confectioner. These types of partnerships widen the products and services that you can offer your customers. You can run simultaneous promotions that will benefit everyone involved, especially customers.
- Set up a direct marketing chain
Whether you have a physical store or a virtual one, marketing is one of the most effective way to get new customers. You can send a regular newsletter to your customer base, giving them entertaining, informative content about new products, helpful services, and relevant industry content. Of course you first have to get their email addresses and permission to email them. Be careful not to trick or bully customers into giving you their details. This destroys trust. Simply ask for their contacts after they purchase an item, making it clear that you’d like them to opt in for marketing materials.
For more information on how to attract new customers to your small business, or to sign up for our merchant account credit card processing services, please call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com.