It takes a matter of seconds for a customer to form a first impression. In business, you don’t always get a second chance, so it’s vital to set the right tone from the outset. Whether you run an e-commerce venture, or you welcome clients or shoppers to offices, stores, cafes or showrooms, it’s essential to get off to a flying start. Here are some tips to take on board.
Looks are everything
Looks may not be everything in every scenario in life, but in business, aesthetics play a vital role in attracting customers and enhancing brand image. When a potential buyer lands on your homepage, or they walk past your office or restaurant, you want them to form a positive impression of your brand and to want to find out more. You don’t want to lose a customer before they’ve even set foot in the premises or navigated their way to a landing or product page. If the exterior of your store is shabby or drab, or your website is dated and uninspiring, now is the time to make some changes. Consider powerwashing or Gutter Cleaning Detroit services which can remove unsightly moss and dirt from the front of the shop. Then consider a bright attractive sign to show customers where you are. If everything is themed well, you should be attracting more customers than before.
For your website, it is a similar philosophy. When a customer lands on your homepage you want them to spend less time critiquing bad web design or image choices and more time purchasing your goods or services. If your website is dated and uninspiring, it’s time for a change. Get a web designer to update the look of your website, but also ensure it loads and processes everything the customer wants in good time. So as you can see, injecting curb appeal and thinking of your website as a shop window can make all the difference.
As well as focusing on creating a fabulous first impression, it’s crucial to think about the next step. The aim is to build on the initial expression of interest and to persuade the customer to move through the sales funnel. This means ensuring that every page on your website and your social media feeds look the business and promote your brand effectively and making an effort to create functional, aesthetically-pleasing interiors. In many industries, you’ll need to cross both the style and substance boxes when conjuring up designs, and it’s important to consider health and safety, durability and practicality as well as looks. Flooring is a key element for business owners operating in hospitality, retail and healthcare, for example. You need a surface that looks smart and professional, but will also offer performance and longevity. For ideas for your business, take a look here and weigh up different options based on your needs and your budget. Colours, themes and layout ideas are also critical when trying to lure customers in and showcase your brand.
Customer service
Whether you serve customers virtually or in the flesh, it’s always worth going the extra mile to provide a VIP experience. Competition is fierce, and consumers have high expectations. If the service is poor, shoppers won’t hesitate to spend money elsewhere. Welcome new and existing clients to your store, offer to help or provide tips or information and ensure that the checkout or ordering process is slick, simple and completely stress-free. Thank customers for visiting you and placing an order and maintain contact. Use email marketing and social media posts to keep in touch and don’t lose sight of the importance of rewarding loyal clients.
In business, you have a matter of seconds to impress. You may not get a second chance, so it’s critical to go all-out to get customers on board from the outset.
