A few months ago we wrote a blog post on how to become a successful small business. Today, we're giving you a few more business tips on how to keep your small business growing and happy - internally and externally. Use Technology
Technology is ever growing. Software, hardware, apps - it's all useful. Data can tell you a lot, and technology has made it unbelievably easy to collect and analyze data for a small cost. Try out search engine optimization. This helps your website appear higher up in search engines. It may take some research but adding some high trafficked key words that match your industry throughout your site may help. Social networks can also be a great tool. Try reiterating what's found on your company's website on your social media sites. This will help gain traffic to your actual website. Encourage followers to comment and share the content with their followers. This is a simple way to gain immediate feedback. Find a couple of social networks that work best for your company - you don't need to create 80 different accounts to connect to your audience.
Boost Productivity
Let your employees have a little fun; they're more likely to focus on the tasks in front of them if you give them a little free time too. Encourage employees to get out there and gain new skills like HTML (it'll benefit the company too). Host monthly meetings to discuss everyone's highs and lows and how to improve from them. Build strategies together. Often more eyes on one prize helps. Utilize resources available to you. With the help of technology, employees can get more tasks done in a smaller amount of time. Download an instant messaging system for the office so employees don't have to wait on a slow email response. Try offering flexible schedules. Allow employees flexibility to come in and leave earlier or later than 9-5 if possible, allow them to log hours at home!
Promote Customer Service
The sales pitches on your website can only do so much. Customer server is one of the best ways to show your customers they chose the right company. Be polite to your customers- be positive and ask questions. Keep the conversation going and make sure they are getting the full attention they need, via email, over the phone, or face to face. Be sincere! It shows the customers you’re actually listening instead of responding like an automated robot. When companies offer very similar services and prices, customer service can give a competitive advantage, and you’re more likely to get repeat business! Another added bonus to great customer service: people with positive experiences are likely to share about it with others, leading you to gain even more customers.
Do you have any other business tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!
