What Do Your Customers Really Want?
measuring customer satisfaction Coming up with your own competitive advantage is not easy. A good place to start is by asking, “Why do people use your business now?” You can write down several reasons that come to mind, but you should also ask some of your regular customers why they keep using your business. Their answers may surprise you, and give you some ideas on how to keep them coming back and attract new customers as well. Find Out What Your Customers Want And Expect…Before Your Competitors Do Satisfy your customers or someone else will. Your prospects and customers can give you important feedback, both directly and indirectly. Customers are looking for 4 things when they engage in business: 1. All Customers want prompt and friendly service. This means having a frontline person who is friendly and who can give them what they need right away. 2. All Customers expect their problems solved. It is a cliché really but your customers go to you because they have a problem that needs fixing. They need help. It is a no-brainer that they will not need you if they do not have any problem, right? You get paid for your efforts. 3. Most Customers expect you to have flexible policies. Do not tell them “Sorry, it is company policy,” or “Sorry, we cannot do that.” That is the quickest way to lose your customers. Your clients would want to hear instead that you can be flexible – enough to give them what they need. 4. If you make a mistake, Customers want you to fix it and give a little extra in return. It is not just taking care of your customers when you make a mistake. If you want them to come back, you need to go one step further and do something extra for your customer. Customer service is not just about face-to-face business. Is your Web presence a liability or an asset? The answer may surprise you. A recent survey determined that Web-based customer service is severely lacking. The main two complaints by customers are: Emails from customers went unanswered. Not many web sites offer live chats with customer service personnel. When it comes to selling yourself on the Internet – and let’s face it, before you can sell a product or service you have to sell the customer on you – there are a few key points that can tip the scales in your favor with online customers. Here are the 9 most important things experts say customers want to know about you. How your business is unique. Answer the question “Who are you?” as interestingly and compellingly (and honestly) as possible. Be concise too, “You don’t need to write a novel.” A clear sense of what your company offers. It’s incredible how many sites you visit and you’re not sure what the company offers. Make it a priority on your home page to provide at least general information about your products and/or services, with links to specifics on a [...]
Categories: Small business Tags: small business web development
What Marketing Works Best In Recession Times
Even with tough times as what we are experiencing right now, marketing should not be put in the back burner just so you can save in your budget. This is the hard fact: you need to market in order for your business to survive in these trying times. This is precisely the right time for you to double your marketing efforts especially when everybody seems to be thinking the same thing – that of trying to cut back on promotional campaigns in order to save on costs. There is one reasonable and practical way of marketing that will not need for you to break the bank just so you can promote adequately. What marketing strategy will work in these tough times? for tI believe it is important for business owners to review what has worked for them in the past and refine it. Often times we as business owners neglect what has worked steadily in the past for the new fad. Everyone is into social media craze now. Yes this is good to be up to date. But it is still important to network, pass out business cards, shake hands, look a prospect in the eye. You think? Mrvegriff, CEO GBN Web Development, Inc.
Categories: Small business Tags: small business web development
Hot Tip -Content Speaks Volumes
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) Content Speaks Volumes Content is undoubtedly the most important element of a website. It is the defining factor for a website, that which catches the interest of your visitors and keeps them hooked to your site.
Categories: Small business Tags: Small business, small business web development
Rene Daumal
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) -Rene Daumal It is still not enough for language to have clarity and content… it must also have a goal and an imperative. Otherwise from language we descend to chatter, from chatter to babble and from babble to confusion.
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, Small business, small business web development
Sir Richard Branson's
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) Sir Richard Branson’s “There will be lots of downs. Do your best to fight tooth and nail to survive. And if you don’t survive, if you have worked damned hard, don’t get down about it. There’s a lot of successful entrepreneurs who have picked themselves up and started again.” -
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, Small business, small business web development
8 Steps on How To Use Audio on Your Website
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) In the past, audio was typically used on websites as background music to increase the “WOW!” factor, but it didn’t really help in communicating with customers. These days it’s a different story. With broadband becoming ubiquitous and streaming audio technologies getting more advanced, you can now easily convey spoken word over the web. Well crafted audio messages can help you add a personal touch to your website which will make customers feel closer to you. The presence of your voice welcoming customers, answering questions, or describing the benefits associated with your product or service can boost customer confidence in ways that text and images alone can’t. Most people have computers capable of playing streaming audio and will find it a refreshing change from boring text. Increased use of the internet along with improved technology now make it easy for you to add streaming audio to your website and create that personal bond with your customers. Reasons Why You Should Have Audio on Your Site 1. Customers remember what they hear more than what they read. Did you know that people remember only 20% of what they read while they remember an astonishing 70% of what they hear? That’s three and a half times more! Your audio message will help you to stick into the minds of your customers longer. 2. Audio boosts your credibility. The sound of your voice adds personality to your website and helps customers identify with you. Customers buy from people who they feel they know and trust, and using audio can help you achieve this. 3. Audio keeps customers on your site longer. Audio can keep customers on your site longer and you give you more time to make the sale. It can be used as an additional resource or tool for customers to familiarize themselves with your product or service while browsing your site. 4. Audio increases your subscription rate. Using a personal audio message to get customers to sign up for your newsletter can raise subscription levels by up to 400% more than using traditional subscription marketing techniques. You can also use audio as a part of an online course that people can subscribe to. The lesson that includes an audio in our free online meditation course gets opened most, leads to the largest number of sales and receives the best feedback. 5. Audio enhances newsletters, ezines and blogs – which leads to profits. You can spice up your newsletter, ezine or blog by using audio to provide special tips or product updates that keep customers interested and motivated to buy. 6. Audio puts you light years ahead of your competitors. Using audio successfully on your site gives you a competitive advantage. Most internet businesses overlook using this effective marketing tool so be sure you’re not one of them! 7. Audio is easy to use. Being able to put audio on your website isn’t limited to just techies – anyone can do it! [...]
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, Small business, small business web development
Hot Tip -Set Daily Goals
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) Set Daily Goals In order to visualize your accomplishments and stay encouraged, you need to set daily goals. These goals can be as simply as a follow up phone call or a written letter to an investor. Whatever the task is, get it done. In addition to keeping the process for your success on track, it will help you to feel like you are making accomplishments, pushing you closer and closer to the success.
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, Small business, small business web development
Hot Tip- Believe
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) Believe Not only do you need to believe in the product or service you are building to success, you also need to believe in you. Your confidence is what will get you through the difficult challenges and build credibility with your customers.
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, small business web development
Bill Gates
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) -Bill Gates I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act.
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, Small business, small business web development
Enthusiasm
(Here’s an article of great value to small business owners, www.GBN-Online.com) “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Enthusiasm. One of my absolute favorite words. Did you know that it comes from the Greek entheos “possessed by a god” (theos (God) and en (within))? I love that. So, when you’re enthusiastic, GOD is within you. And, equally important, when you are NOT enthusiastic, God has left the building that is you. Never forget Emerson’s wisdom that “Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is due to the triumph of enthusiasm.” Let’s find the God within us. Let’s get enthusiastic!!!!!
Categories: Small business Tags: entrepreneur, Small business, small business web development
