A reputation is the backbone of your business. If you can manage to make a good name for yourself, then you’ll already win half of the battle.
Although you can spend hundreds of thousands on marketing, and running ads, there’s something to be said about good old word of mouth and reviews. If you’re looking to build a solid reputation for your business and stand out in a sea of competition, then take a look at some of the best tips for getting started.
Be “Obsessed” With Your Customers
Jeff Bezos famously said the secret to Amazon’s success is an obsession with his customers. The more you can prioritize the customer experience, the more that your customers will remember you. What going above and beyond looks like for your business may vary depending on what kind of business you have.
If you’re a cash-only retail store, perhaps it’s as easy as adding an ATM machine. Whereas, if you are a cafe, maybe it’s as simple as offering your customers free Wi-Fi. Try to think of ways that you can make the customer experience as effortless and comfortable as possible. By prioritizing your customer’s overall experience, you’ll enhance your customer service, and stand out from the competition.
Encourage Your Customers to Leave Reviews
Statistics show that people value reviews as much as they would a recommendation from the mouth of their best friend. Try to get your customers to leave as many reviews as possible, to share their experience. From Yelp to Facebook reviews, to Google business, don’t be afraid to ask your customers to start talking about you. Don’t make the mistake of avoiding asking for reviews, out of fear it can lead to a bad one. One bad review won’t affect your overall business. As long as the majority of your reviews are saying good things about you, then you’re doing things right.
Build Relationships
Building relationships with your customers goes beyond just smiling and being nice when they come into your store. Building relationships it’s all about engaging and staying top of mind. From sending out newsletters, to staying in touch on social media, build relationships as much as possible to make your customers feel connected to you in your business. If you don’t have a social media account yet, then you should consider creating one for your business right away. Social media is one of the best ways to put a human face behind your business and create brand loyalty.
These are just a few tips for boosting your reputation, and getting a positive word out about your brand. With a little consistency, and excellent product or services, you should have a solid reputation for your business in no time.