3 ways to grow your business
1. Increase Customer Loyalty
65% of a company’s business is brought in by returning customers. Increasing customer retention by 5% can increase a company’s profitability by 75% - Bain & Co.
What does your business focus on more; finding new clients, or keeping your existing ones? When a new client walks in the door, you have a golden opportunity to turn a single sale into a long-term relationship.
Start a loyalty programme
Motivate your customers to return more frequently, then reward them for their loyalty. By offering coupons or vouchers for repeat business, you show appreciation for returning customers.
Avoid old-fashioned loyalty cards that easily get lost. Stand out among your competitors and keep it professional. Loyalty rewards programmes are now easily available to put on your clients phones. This makes them easily available, while also being a constant reminder every time they see your App on their phone.
Keep in touch
How often do your clients hear from you? Coca-Cola's mission is to have every person in the world see their logo every day. When clients think of you, they are more likely to purchase from you.
Give useful information or advice. Supply information that is seen as valuable or interesting. This is far more effective than "hard-sell" advertising, and will get your clients to look forward to hearing from you. Here are some channels to use:
- Social media: Posts on business pages are getting less organic traffic, so you may need to boost your posts for more visibility. Start a group or post onto relevant interest groups to build a community.
- Email marketing: Use a service like MailChimp, which is easy to use, and free for up to 2000 subscribers on your database. This also helps with legal compliance by allowing customers to "opt-out".
- Push Notifications: Apps allow you to send free push notifications straight to your customers phones. This is a message that cannot be missed.
- SMS's: Send birthday messages, appointment reminders, or other messages that your clients will appreciate.
Compile a database
Your clients contact details are your most valued intellectual property. Store their information in a way that allows for easy communication. If you don't have their contact details, here are a few ways that you can start your database:
- Collect client contact details from your emails.
- If you have a booking system, whether online or manual, this should have a wealth of contact details.
- Add a subscription form to your website.
- Run a competition.
- Ask existing or potential clients to complete a survey.
2. Find new clients
Start a referral programme
A referral programme offers simple way for happy clients to tell their friends and family about your business. Make it easy for them to share with their close contacts via social media, sms or email.
Combined with a coupon system, you can reward clients for their referrals, and motivate new clients by offering them a sign-up voucher.
92% of consumers trust referrals from friends & family above all advertising.
Promote special offers
Specials are a great way to attract new business. Create a sense of urgency by limiting your offer to a short period of time or number of people. Make your discounts hard to refuse - you may not make any profit on your first sale with your new customers, but remember, your aim it to turn them into loyal clients that will come back again and again.
Be visible online
When someone does a Google search for a service you offer, does your business come up on page 1? Here are some steps to increase your Google ranking.
- Get a website. Having your own URL (website address) is the first step. Once you have a website, regularly add unique content that will increase your SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), or in other words, help you rank on Google.
- Create a Google My Business page. It's free and will help your business show up on local searches.
- Create social media pages. See which platforms are most relevant to your business, and actively maintain those pages.
3. Accept online bookings
- 35% of clients prefer booking appointments during non-business hours.
- 25% of Millennials (under 35) only book online.
- Boost appointments by 25% by taking online bookings.
Most of your clients are browsing online (on their phones) after hours. Make it easy for them to book an appointment right there and then. There are various ways to implement online bookings, depending on your business needs:
Booking request forms
Allow your clients to complete a simple booking request form on your website or mobile app. This allows them to send a request at their convenience. You can then follow up with them to confirm their booking. Don't make them wait until you your are open for business the next day - then it's too late.