After spending a lot of time, effort, and money getting your new business off the ground, the next thing you’re likely to think about is how to get people to purchase your products and/or services. You can invest a lot of money into promotion and building awareness for your business; however, that doesn’t guarantee that someone will actually purchase from you or that they’ll become a loyal customer. In order to achieve a successful business, you need to establish customer trust and make them feel good about buying from you and your business.
Here are some key strategies to establish trust between your small business and your customer base:
Referrals & Testimonials.
People are more likely to trust a business has been referred to them by someone else they trust. Essentially, trust builds trust. If you know that someone has had a good experience with your business, ask them to refer you to a friend in exchange for a set percentage off their next purchase. Ask for reviews in store, by email or through social media and use them in your marketing initiatives. Also, don’t be afraid of bad reviews or feedback as this gives you an opportunity to fix the situation and improve for next time.
Give Great & Genuine Service.
Great customer service is a no brainer, but it needs to be genuine. Be interested in your customers and ask questions. Talk to them and listen to them, don’t give a sales pitch. If you think that they would be better served somewhere else or that your product isn’t a fit for them, tell them that. They will be much more satisfied and more likely to speak highly of your business then if they purchased something insufficient for their needs. Most importantly, make sure you only make promises that you can deliver on. It’s better to exceed expectations then to fall short.
Be Consistent & Transparent.
Showing a customer that you will be consistent over time allows them to predict your behavior and are therefore more likely to trust you. This means consistency in customer experience, in supply and quality, and in handling issues. Tell the truth when customers ask questions about your products and services, and be clear with them about what they’re receiving. You will lose their trust if the reality of what they purchased does not live up to their expectations. Besides, we all know honesty is the best policy.
Get Involved.
Whether it’s a cause or a community activity, get out there and stand behind something. Getting involved in something you care about outside of your business allows people see a different side of you. It also allows them to relate to your business in a different and maybe more meaningful way, therefore building trust.
There are many other ways that you can build trust with potential and existing clientele, but these are some starting points. Start small and use people that you’ve already established some trust with to champion your business, whether that’s customers, employees or friends and family. The more trust you can create, the better relationships you’ll build and the more loyal customers you’ll have.
If you have any questions regarding the information above or if you would like to discuss getting the right insurance for your business or for personal risk management, our Bullfrog Insurance brokers would be happy to help you out. Contact us today for a free quote!