Once upon a time, businesses relied on word of mouth to spread the word about their work. If the business was going smoothly enough, maybe it could afford an ad in the local newspaper. But with technology, you can use several different channels to acquire new customers and serve the existing ones better. In this article, we will go over how you can use 21st-century technology to grow your business.
Strong Online Presence
Building a strong online presence is essential for any business looking to expand its customer base in today’s digital age. To start, you’ll need a website that showcases your brand and provides customers with relevant information about your products or services. Your website should be user-friendly and optimized for search engines to ensure it’s easy to find online.
Building a website or being active on social media doesn’t only extend the reach of your business. It also builds trust among customers. According to Zippia, 81% of shoppers prefer to research a business online before making any purchases. When your website appears professional, and people see you engaging with customers on social media, your business simply seems more like a legitimate one.
Social Media & Digital Advertising
Social media and digital advertising are two powerful tools businesses can use to reach new customers and drive growth. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow businesses to connect with potential customers and build a following by sharing engaging content, promoting special offers, and providing customer support. In addition to these digital channels, businesses can further expand their reach and establish a professional presence by including their business cards online in their online profiles or sharing them directly with their followers.
Meanwhile, digital advertising offers the ability to target specific audiences through platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads, allowing businesses to reach people who are actively searching for products or services like theirs. Digital advertising is generally much more efficient than traditional forms of advertising. In fact, according to Statista, digital ads account for 78% of all ad revenue in the US
Online Business Listing
Online listings can be a powerful tool for expanding your customer base and increasing visibility. Customers can use these directories to look for the businesses around them and make a choice based on the reviews. By ensuring that your business is listed on multiple directories and that your information is accurate, you can increase your visibility online and make it easier for potential customers to find you.
However, remember that an online business listing is not the same thing as being registered in an online phonebook. For online listings, you have to build your profile, provide useful information and brush it up with beautiful photos. Some websites like We Get You Found also allow you to promote your business for free and connect you directly with your customers for inquiries.
E-Commerce Solutions
Implementing e-commerce solutions can be a great way to expand your customer base and increase sales for your business. E-commerce solutions, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento, allow you to sell your products or services online, providing customers with a convenient way to shop from anywhere at any time.
By implementing an e-commerce platform, you can expand your reach beyond your physical location and reach customers who may not have been able to shop with you otherwise. Additionally, e-commerce platforms often include features that make it easy to manage inventory, process payments, and track orders, streamlining your business operations and making it easier to focus on growth.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
Customer relationship management (CRM) software can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to expand their customer base and build strong, lasting relationships with their customers. CRM software allows you to keep track of customer interactions, including purchases, inquiries, and support requests, providing you with valuable insights into their behavior and preferences.
By leveraging this data, you can personalize your communications and offers to meet their needs better, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, CRM software can also help you identify potential opportunities for growth, such as cross-selling or up-selling opportunities.
If you are planning to grow your business, customer retention is absolutely crucial. Loyal customers are not only likely to buy more but will also refer your business to new customers. According to Hubspot, a 5% increase in customer retention can drive up your profit by more than 25%. Therefore as you try to find new customers, don’t forget to keep your existing customers happy. Particularly in industries like construction, a specialized construction CRM like the one offered by BuildOps can play a pivotal role in enhancing customer relationships, improving project management, and ultimately driving business growth.
Automation
Automating business processes with technology can greatly increase efficiency and free up time to focus on growth initiatives. From accounting and invoicing to email marketing and social media management, there are a variety of business processes that can be automated using technology.
According to an estimation by Mckinsey, around half the activities of jobs for which people are paid $16 trillion in wages globally can be automated with current technology. It doesn’t always mean you can simply replace your human workers with machines, but with the correct implementation of technology, you can take the menial and repetitive activities out of their list of duties and boost their productivity overall.
There is a fear among many older businesses about venturing into the online sphere. After all, it is unfamiliar territory for them, so it is natural for them to be doubtful. But it is never too late to learn. Most of the services mentioned in this article are designed to be as user-friendly as possible. Undoubtedly there will be some initial bumps in the road, but once you get past that, you will be able to grow your business exponentially.
