Whether you are just starting out as a new business owner or you have successfully been running one for years, there are plenty of opportunities to move your business forward and find new ways of expanding. Success is about always striving to improve and grow your company whenever you can, so if you feel as though you’ve hit a wall and are no longer improving, then now is the time to rejuvenate your business. Here are 9 simple ways how you can improve your business:
- Revive Your Website
Your website is your virtual storefront, so when is the last time you really looked at it? Just like any brick and mortar location where you probably change your featured products as your inventory or the season changes, so too should your website change. You should be updating your content, slideshows and images, and even your interactive experience, so that your site stays fresh and draws in both new and loyal customers. Your customers will be excited to see new enhancements and will spend a little more time browsing your website and checking out your products or services.
You’ll also want to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wow your customers with everything your business has to offer when they’re searching for you on mobile. Make sure you have a responsive, mobile-ready website that allows your customers to view your products, book your services, or easily get in contact with you from their smart devices.
- Refresh Your Content
If you’re not writing content for your website, or at least updating your site with news, articles and information, you should be. Fresh, updated content is one of the ways Google and the major browsers rank your site. This means that if you haven’t updated anything on your website in several years, you may not be showing up as high in search results as you could be. Continuous, fresh content on your pages and blog will help drive your website’s rankings.
And of course, take a look at your current print materials. They may also be due for new text content, images, and design. Fresh marketing materials may not only help motivate customers, but also your sales people and team.
- Search Engine Optimization
If you signed up for directory listings and added keywords into your website five years ago, that’s not quite going to cut it for the New Year. Your website’s SEO is what helps it show up higher on a page when someone searches for your business. Having your business listed (or updated) on key directory sites, making sure you have continuous fresh content, and optimizing the pages of your website for specific keywords is important for your business’s online success.
- Write Newsletters
If you’re not currently collecting emails from your customers, you should start. E-newsletters are still a very popular way to get information to your current customers. They’re a great way to share information and highlight specials or coupons. These e-newsletters keep you and your business in front of your customers. Start collecting emails and start communicating more often with your customers.
- Plan Events
Consider hosting an event. Pet food demos, after-hours networking, and Lunch and Learns are all great ways to engage with potential new customers. Events can be a great way to showcase or provide a demonstration of a new product or service. Other events like customer appreciation days are an opportunity to provide special discounts and even door prizes for your customers. This is a great way to show your appreciation for customer loyalty and to interact more with local customers.
- Interact With Reviews
Respond to reviews. When you do respond, be professional, and use a brief response like, “Thank you for your continued support”; or “We’re very sorry you had a bad experience with us. Please give us a call. We’d love to see how we can make this right.” If you feel that a longer, more detailed response is needed, just be sure to state your case and avoid any criticisms or negative tones.
- Use Social Media
We all know social media is important for businesses. However, just having a social media account isn’t enough. You should be posting sales, interesting articles, fun events, etc., at a minimum of once per week across your social media accounts. Use your Instagram feed to show off that house you just sold, or that cool shipment of saltwater taffy your store just got. Tweet out links to your blog posts, and pin your blogs on Pinterest. If you’re a B2B company, update your LinkedIn profile and stay active with articles and group discussions.
- Update Your Brand
Take a look at your logo, business cards and marketing materials. Poll others of different ages for their honest thoughts and opinions about the design, and consider a refresh. It might be time to freshen up your brand’s appearance and colors, or at least get an updated, modern business card or brochure design. Your image is everything and if your logo and print marketing seem tired and outdated, you may want to make a change.
- Refresh Your Images
Professional, high-quality photos can have a huge impact on your company’s image. If potential customers see fuzzy photos they may think that you aren’t as invested in your business as you should be. Clear, bright photos that showcase your sales, products, or services will be sure to impress. Company photos and solo headshots are also important to update over time.
It’s A New Year!
The New Year is a great time to take on a new perspective and create a new drive for your business. So clean house, wipe away the dust, wash the windows, and rejuvenate your passion to help drive your success.
