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2021 Is A Time For Change In How You Communicate With Your Customers

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. After the events of 2020, changes in the traditional ways of doing lots of things have changed but sector that may have been most effective is the business world. The following contributed post is entitled, 2021 Is A Time For Change In How You Communicate With Your Customers.

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Photo: Unsplash

Following the corona crisis, many businesses are learning how to re-communicate with their customers and adapt to the needs of the newly created market. The new reality dictates a new order in which every business that wants to survive / succeed must recalculate its path.

In 2020, a reality was created in which small and large businesses begin to examine trends in their industry and create new business opportunities: from upgrading the existing site to best meet customer needs to taking ecological and social responsibility. Good communication adapted to these times, will create an increase in customer involvement in your business and will contribute to an increase in sales. Following this, we have compiled for you a list of business trends for the year 2021, which must be taken into account, when you come to communicate with your customers:

Beyond marketing on on-line trading sites
Increasing mobile marketing
Create an app for your business
Customize customer service
Increase in the percentage of remote work
Creating an online community
Promoting data transparency
Cultivating social responsibility and preserving the environment

Due to declining purchases in physical stores, many businesses have opened an online branch to market their products. They may present virtual events to people also. You should look at Hybrid events.

More efficient business management: The digital options allow, among other things, managing orders and payments, using data-based insights, tracking performance, targeting, issuing online invoices and more, all at the click of a button, which saves time, money and resources and streamlines the business.

Mobile marketing is one of the emerging trends in recent years: Following the rise in the use of smartphones and tablets and an estimated five billion people carrying mobile devices – the most direct and focused channel for your audience is through their phone. The following are some ideas on how to market to your customers via mobile:

Creating a winning mobile site that caters to users who surf through their device most of the day.
Segment your customers and create Google ads that offer relevant products that reflect your shopping preferences
Send a text message, updating on the latest promotion
Using Google’s geographical location, and sending messages to potential customers in your business area

Customizing customer service

In a message-saturated reality, customers prefer personal attention and expect more businesses to follow their consumption habits and tailor dedicated sales offers to them. Subsequently, in recent years (and now even more so), a customized customer service has developed, based on knowing your customer and tailoring the referral and messages to him according to his buying habits. How do you do that? Well, to market properly one needs to study, research and collect data. Once this is known, you can move forwards effectively. One way to learn about your customers is through the use of digital research tools, which will tell you about their behavior, in the context of your business. 2021 is a year of growth, and to make changes for the better. Don’t see these changes as negative, because truthfully, you are beginning an incredible journey.

The Best Ways to Make Your Customers Happier

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. In the business world, one of your roles is not only to attract customers, but also to make them happy depending on their needs and wants. The following contributed post is entitled, The Best Ways to Make Your Customers Happier.

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A successful business needs to keep its customers happy. Not only will it encourage them to come back, but if they’re happy, they will also be more likely to recommend your business to others. Ensuring your customers walk away happy is something you’re probably already trying to do, but what if you could make them even happier? You might find that, despite your efforts, your customers aren’t as satisfied as you’d like them to be. Fortunately, there are various strategies that you can try to make your customers happier than ever. Keep reading to find out what you can do to increase happiness for your customers.

Image from Pexels – CC0 License

Be More Personal

Personalizing your brand is important if you want to be able to connect with your customers. If you’re just a faceless corporate entity, it makes it hard for your customers to really engage with what you have to offer. There are many different techniques available for taking a more personal approach to running your business. It might include meeting clients face-to-face or over video chat, instead of just communicating by email. It could also include things like giving customers a special discount on their birthday or even just wishing them a happy holiday.

Help Them Save Money

Everyone likes to be able to save money where they can, even if they have plenty of money themselves. If you can help your customers to save money at every opportunity, instead of obviously pushing them to spend more, you could find that they end up spending more money with you in the end. One of the ways to work on customer experience optimization is to take a look at your pricing strategy. Changing your pricing can help you to be more competitive and please your customers. You can also offer discounts and special offers, or even recommend lower priced options to customers to show you can be trusted to provide the best advice.

Image from Pexels – CC0 License

Give Them Support

Customer support is often just as important as the product or service that you are offering. If your customer service and support is bad, it can turn customers away from you and cause them to warn others off your brand too. One of the ways to improve customer support in the digital age is to make your support more available. 24/7 customer support is possible with things like self-help sections on your website or chatbots, which can answer common queries and take people’s details out of hours.

Offer More Value

Offering more value to your customers doesn’t just mean giving them a good price. It also means going beyond your product or service to give your customers something that they weren’t expecting. This is something that you can think about when marketing your business, but also when delivering your product or service. Your website might provide extra value through an informative blog, while you could offer extra value through your products by delivering them in beautiful packaging for a great unboxing experience.

Happier customers will keep coming back and recommend you to others, so start working on increasing customer satisfaction now.

Curb Appeal Tricks For Your Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you have a ‘brick and mortar’ business, a key consideration is your curb appeal. New customers are more likely to wander in your business has a compelling appearance. The following contributed post is entitled, Curb Appeal Tricks For Your Business.

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The way that your business looks from the outside can make a lot of difference. Curb appeal is one of the many things you need to keep on top of as a business owner and can help to draw in potential customers. When customers or clients walk past or arrive at your business, an outside that looks tidy and smart makes a good impression before they even get inside.

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1. Clean the pavement. Pressure washing is the easiest to thoroughly clean the pavement, your car park, or any paved area outside your business. If the outside is clean, your business will look a lot more inviting.

2. Add some plants. Greenery and flowers are a simple way to add personality and color to the front of your businesses. Fill some planters and put them on either side of your front door. This looks welcoming and also gives visitors the impression that someone is looking after the premises.

3. Give your signage a refresh. If your signage has seen better days or has become faded, it shows that the business isn’t being looked after and this gives a bad impression. Repair any signage that needs to be fixed, and repaint anything that has faded or looks like it would benefit from a refresh. Show off your branding.

4. Sweep outside every day. The outside of your business can easily start to look scruffy, with litter, dead leaves, and cigarette ends gathering. Someone needs to sweep out front every day to clear away this unsightly litter. Before you open for the day, sweep outside so your frontage looks cared for, clean, and ready to entice people in as they arrive.

5. Change your window displays frequently. If your business has a window at the front, make the most of your space for window displays. Show off different ranges of products, and change these displays on a regular basis. If you change the displays, people who walk past the store frequently, such as on the way to work, will notice that there is something different in the window to look at and they could notice something in the window that encourages them to come inside and find out more.

6. Make it obvious what your business actually does. Anyone walking or driving by your premises should be able to tell at a quick glance what your business does. Make sure that your signage makes this very clear.

7. Make sure your parking area is well lit and well sign-posted. If your customers can park at your business, clearly signpost where the parking spaces are so people can find them. Make sure any parking restrictions are also very obvious. Customers will be put off if think they can park, but then get hit with a parking ticket. Make your parking safe with well-maintained parking lot paving and plenty of lights. If people come to your business when it’s dark, they’ll benefit from the lights to help them feel safe. It’s also a useful addition for your staff when they leave at the end of the day.

3 Ways to Make a Good First Impression With Customers

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. The saying says, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This rule is absolutely true for you customers as a good first impression will increase the likelihood of them coming back. The following sponsored post is entitled, 3 Ways to Make a Good First Impression With Customers.

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Shoppes often make assumptions about a store and the products inside from the first impressions they get from the property and store exterior. It takes about a tenth of a second for people to form an opinion, leaving you little room for error with your store’s appearance. You need to snag consumer attention fast. Here are some ways to make sure you a creating a positive first impression with customers.

Pay Attention to Exterior Visual Appeal

The minute a car pulls up to your parking lot, the clock starts ticking. Debris and garbage laying around in parking spaces or giant cracks and potholes on the surface send a message the no one cares. Have parking lot maintenance on your priority list, whether it by hiring an emulsion sealer Frederick MD company or by having a parking lot task item added to the end of day routine. Signage should be well-lit and up-to-date. Don’t have peeling paint, missing letters, or a special that was running six months ago.

Create a Pleasant Environment

When a customer walks into your store, there should be an immediate greeting that is friendly and welcoming. Train employees to avoid sounding fake or forced and have them make eye contact whenever possible with an incoming customer. Keep your aisles clear and spacious, and avoid having too many signs or displays out at one time. Use colors that pair well and have good strong lighting.

Establish a Customer-Centric Culture

The way someone talks to a customer is another way to make a good first impression. Your whole brand could be evaluated by one snippy or rude comment. Make sure your staff are courteous and accommodating at all times. Have a dress code that is professional and attitudes that match. Good communication goes a long way in making a good impression.

These three areas can help your store create a favorable first impression with consumers. The better an experience for a customer, the more likely you are to get recommended to others.

Lockdown May Be Over, But Your Business Is Still Vulnerable

Three focuses of my blog are Current Events, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. We’re still in the Coronavirus/Covid-19 storm with no end in sight. Furthermore, the effects will be felt long after the storm has passed. Even in the aftermath, businesses will have to figure how to move forward. The following contributed post is entitled, Lockdown May Be Over, But Your Business Is Still Vulnerable.

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The fear and uncertainty of spring are now a distant memory. Businesses of all shapes and sizes all over the country are dusting themselves down and trying to resume a semblance of “Business As Usual”. Yet, while the lockdown may be over (for the time being at least), things are still far from back to their normal speed. You will likely be making fewer sales (unless your business name rhymes with Glamazon). You may have had to lose members of staff or radically change your operations to enable your team to work from home. You may have had to invest heavily on a physical and digital infrastructure that allows you to operate safely.

Image by Gustavo Fring via Pixabay

While it’s nothing you can’t navigate, you know better than to kid yourself. The next year and change could make or break your business. And while you should absolutely retain your sense of optimism, you also need to be aware of the very specific vulnerabilities your business faces in this challenging time…

Customers are scared to come back

While your business may be ready to receive customers now, not all customers are ready to do business. Many of your customers will have lost their jobs or at least lost a portion of their income. As such, consumer confidence is still at its lowest in years throughout much of the world. As such, you need to devote your marketing efforts to making customers know that they can return to your business without endangering their safety or their financial security.

Entice them in with promotions and targeted offers. Let them see what measures you’ve taken to keep them safe on and off-site. Establish yourself as someone they can rely on in this time of crisis.

Remote employees mean cyber security vulnerabilities

Unfortunately, times of crisis tend to mean open season for cyber criminals. And in the wake of the pandemic, they’ve been hard at work coming up with all kinds of phishing hoaxes, ransomware attacks, DDoS attacks and all manner of other nasty schemes designed to exploit vulnerable businesses. And although you may be able to protect yourself on-site, when employees are working remotely, this can create extra vulnerabilities. Work with an outsourced IT company like Levit8 IT Solutions to ensure that you’re covered on and off-site.

Cash flow is more important than ever

You’re more than likely facing a future of increased expenses and reduced sales. Which means that cash flow is more important than ever. Take your eye off the ball and you may find that you lose control of your finances resulting in unpaid vendors, late fees, charges from your bank and all manner of other avoidable costs that can further restrict your cash flow.

You need to focus on more than just staying afloat

Finally, if you’re to thrive in these punishing times, you need to focus on more than just staying alive. You need to focus on how each department’s performance metrics tie in with your broader business KPIs and goals. You need to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to maintain your profit margins and invest in Business Intelligence solutions to mine actionable insights from your data. Strategy is more important than ever. Don’t just react!

Bolstering Customer Relations: Why You Should Outsource This Service

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key aspect of any business is customer relations. Keeping your customers happy will assure that they return to patronize your business. In some instances, it’s wiser to outsource this service. The following contributed post is entitled, Bolstering Customer Relations: Why You Should Outsource This Service.

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No one wants to get complaints about businesses. However, taking note of your customer’s claims is vital for your company’s growth and development. Their comments will help you identify areas that need improvement and pinpoint your current weaknesses.

A small company, however, will have trouble juggling customer service with their usual work due to the small workforce. In addition, increasing your customer service department might not be an option due to the lack of budget. Fortunately, there is another option.

Consider outsourcing customer service to handle your customer concerns. Here are a few reasons why.

Reduced Workload

Outsourcing will lessen the workload of your employees. Their stress will be reduced, and they can handle their remaining workload without issue. They can also focus on their tasks and do it well, reducing the chance of mistakes from happening.

Some of these tasks include marketing and making connections, which are essential for a company’s growth. Employees can concentrate on thinking of business ideas and products, thereby increasing the company’s productivity and, consequently, its revenue.

Competent Personnel

If you outsource customer service, you can rest assured knowing that your customer complaints and questions will be handled expertly. Outsourcing companies have employees that are professionals in their specializations, and that includes customer service.

You will know if you have good customer service agents if they can do the following. They can answer a customer’s questions clearly and make them understand the situation. They can also empathize with the customer and make them feel that they are heard.

This factor will make for happy and satisfied customers, which increases the chance that they will recommend your company to their friends and family. It will lead to better sales in the long run and a more stable market due to recurring customers.

Reduced Costs

Outsourcing also reduces the costs incurred by the company. Since the outsourcing company is in another location, you won’t have to make your office space bigger. Providing the equipment they need to work, such as computers, desks, and office supplies, will not be required.

Also, the wages that you pay them will be less compared to your in-house employees. That is because you only pay them for the services rendered. If they were employed at their company, you would need to pay for other expenses, such as benefits and insurance.

There will also be no recruitment and training costs, which are usually needed when hiring new employees for your department. The outsourcing company will be the one to handle that, allowing you to expend your resources in other endeavors, such as investments and expenditures.

Constantly Available

Outsourcing companies have employees that are working around the clock or people who work in the day and night shifts. It gives you the option of offering customer service 24/7. Your hired customer service can accommodate customers at any given time and day.

There are various reasons why customer service should be available after hours. Issues can be resolved immediately, especially if they have problems that can get out of hand if left unattended. Customer satisfaction will be higher, leading to more returning customers.

Outsourcing offers many advantages to a company, especially if they are looking to cut costs. It can be especially beneficial to small companies and help supplement their little manpower. Keep this option in mind if you are facing difficulties in managing your work tasks and budget.

Why Customer Experience Matters More Than Ever

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter what kind of business you’re running, the happiness of your customers is paramount. Happy customers will not only return, but they will tell other potential customers about you. The following contributed post is entitled, Why Customer Experience Matters More Than Ever.

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In today’s world, businesses can face even more competition than they might have in the past. Priorities have changed for consumers, which means that they also need to change for the businesses and brands that are serving them. One of the things that all businesses should be paying attention to is their customer experience. Customer experience is more important than it has ever been, and it can be the difference between a successful brand and one that fails. Consumers are looking for products and services that come from brands delivering a memorable experience that meets their needs. There are some important reasons to pay attention to customer experience now more than ever.

Image from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Online Competition Is Fierce

The growth of digital marketing, ecommerce and other shifts in the market caused by the internet have all made a big impact. Online businesses face tough competition, not just from companies similar to theirs but also from huge online giants and larger businesses. Even local brick-and-mortar businesses can face competition from those brands that are able to invest more in online advertising, plus they are competing with online companies on top of that. In such a competitive world, customer experience becomes more important, especially for brick-and-mortar businesses. When you can find anything online, you need to give people a reason to walk into your store.

Customers Want to Make Memories

When any company can deliver the product or service you’re looking for quickly and often cheaply, it’s not just the stand-alone product that matters. Everything surrounding it is also important. Consider the example of hotels and other travel accommodation. As Peter DiTommaso points out, world-class hotels have contributed to the rise in tourist numbers in NYC. People could quickly find a cheap and convenient place to stay in just minutes online, but luxury hotels offer a complete package and memorable experience. Often people are looking for Instagrammable moments and something unique.

Image from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Consumers Have More Power and Choice

The internet makes it easy for consumers to discover the range of choice they have, giving them more power. They can seek products and services from all over the world and purchase them in a number of ways. When the consumer has so much power and choice, there’s more pressure for brands to deliver a whole experience that they enjoy. Instead of ending the sales process with the purchase of a product, businesses need to consider an ongoing relationship and sales cycle, keeping customers interested with a good experience.

Investing in CX Gives ROI

There’s no doubt that focusing on customer experience delivers a great return on investment for businesses. 86% of buyers are willing to spend more for a good customer experience, so it’s worth investing in creating the right experience for your audience. This applies to both B2B and B2C businesses, both of which can benefit from thinking about their customer experience and using a customer-focused approach to marketing, sales, customer support, and more.

Customer experience is more important than ever, so you should pay attention to it if you want your business to be successful.

A Quick And Easy Guide To Improving Customer Satisfaction

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key to any business is customer satisfaction. Improving your customers’ satisfaction will assure their continued patronage of your business. The following contributed post is entitled, A Quick And Easy Guide To Improving Customer Satisfaction.

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Improving customer satisfaction is one of the best ways to keep your audience coming back to work with you time and time again. It’s also a fantastic way to gain referrals, slowly building your client base. Ensuring your customers are satisfied with how you work with them will help you to grow your business, and develop a strong reputation. Anybody can start a business these days, and it’s important to note that customers rarely come back to you because of your product – they will come back because of the service they have received.

Below, we’ll take a look at quick and easy ways to improve customer satisfaction. Take a look.

Ask for Feedback
You can’t go wrong when you ask for feedback. The thing about feedback is, if you don’t ask for it, you’ll rarely get it – unless a customer is unhappy. Ask them to review products they purchased recently, or fill in a quick questionnaire. This insight is valuable, so make sure you use it once you have it.
Personalize Each And Every Interaction
Personalizing each interaction with your customers will make them feel valued. Make sure you have a way to track all interactions, and ensure each employee takes a personable approach with them. You can remain professional while showing the customer that you remember them and that they are important to your business.
Give Clients A Dedicated Account Manager
A dedicated account manager often means your customers will build up a rapport with the employees they are working with. Ensure your team realizes how important building these relationships is. It’ll be so much easier for your customer when they can speak to the same person if they need to – and this is what will keep them coming back.

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Aim To Communicate In Various Ways
Some people like speaking on the phone, others prefer email. Make sure you provide various methods of communication so that every preference is catered to. You can even use services like Textbetter.com to send clients reminders of their appointments in text form.
Really Hone Your Customer Service Techniques
Customer service is key, so make sure everybody who has direct interactions with your customers are trained to the fullest extent.
Make Sure Customer Service Reps Are All On The Same Page
All of your customer service reps should be on the same page. There’s nothing worse than receiving great customer service, only to then be let down the next time you need something.
Make Working With You An Experience
A customer should enjoy the entire experience of working with you. From the packaging, to the instructions, and even your tone of voice, make sure they enjoy the experience.
Find Ways To Show Your Customers You Care
Showing your customers you care is an ongoing process. You could:

● Send freebies
● Give discounts
● Host competitions
● Randomly refund their order

Some ideas might not seem great for business, but it’s a small price to pay to keep a lifelong customer.

How will you improve customer satisfaction?

Are You Making Life Easy For Your Customers

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. As a business owner, a key to increasing your profits and the longevity of your business is making it easy for your customers to do business with you. This is something that will improve your reputation and your revenues long-term. The following contributed post is entitled, Are You Making Life Easy For Your Customers.

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There’s no doubt that your customers are at the very centre of your business. After all, without them, it really doesn’t matter how great your business is or how amazing your product is, none of that is going to be worth anything. Because of that, it’s essential that you make sure that you’re focusing on the kinds of quality of life improvements to your business that make it the most pleasant experience for your customers whenever you can. With that in mind, here are some things that you can do to make life easier for your customers.

Provide great customer service

Customer service is an essential part of any business and yet plenty of business owners don’t give it the thought that it really deserves. They tend to think of it as only really applying to making sure that you support your customers when something goes wrong. And make no mistake, that is a crucial part of any business’s customer service. However, there’s also a lot more to it than that. You also need to think about customer service in everything from the initial response that your business provides to customers to the ways in which you respond to any queries that customers might have. You need to be sure that every single interaction you have with your customers is as positive and supportive as possible.

Give them options

In the internet age, one thing that customers have become much more away of is the fact that they don’t have to put up with systems and situations that they find inconvenient. One upon a time they might have settled for things that don’t work exactly as they want them to, but that’s just not the case anymore. Because of that, you need to be sure that you’re giving them plenty of options. This could mean offering different payment options like the ability to send and receive digital checks. It could also involve things like offering multiple product options or ways to customise their experience with your business.

Make things simple

The last thing any customer wants is to have to spend their time dealing with roadblocks getting in the way of them getting the products that they want. One of the fastest ways to turn people off from your business is to make their experience with it complicated. Streamlining and simplifying your user experience ensures that interacting with your business is as simple as possible for just about every single one of your customers.

One of the most important things to remember is that making life easier for your customers isn’t just a matter of making sure that your customers stay happy. After all, happy customers are also a whole lot more likely to recommend your business to other people and drive up traffic towards your business overall. Making sure that customers come away from any interaction with your business feeling positive is essential if you want to be able to grow your business and create a strong and positive reputation for it.

Inspiring Loyalty In Your Customers: 3 Clever Tactics

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key to your business being successful is winning the loyalty of your customer base. Doing so will assure a continuous flow of profits and an assured furthered health of your business. The following contributed post is entitled, Inspiring Loyalty In Your Customers: 3 Clever Tactics.

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Why does your business need loyal customers? Well, the first reason is that it is much easier to sell to someone that has previously bought from you than a cold lead. Also, particularly loyal customers will help you spread brand awareness and act as ambassadors online too. Something that can also help you boost your sales. The good news is that you can find out exactly how you inspire customer loyalty in the post below. Keep reading to find out more.

Provide the best possible experience.

One way that you can ensure your customers are as loyal as possible is to pay attention to the experience that you provide them when they interact with you. In fact, this applies not only IRL in places like stores, restaurants, and other businesses but online as well.

In fact, there are some specific strategies you can use to ensure that your customer’s experience is as positive online. The first is to make sure that any website you operate is customized with the visitor in mind. After all, if you can’t get your website to work, customers are very unlikely to trust you with anything else.

Additionally, some businesses also go for innovative applications to complement their websites. These being intuitive to use when designed well. Thus, they can help to build up that trust relationship with your customer that is such a valuable foundation for long term loyalty.

Really listen to what they want.

People love to be listened too, customers doubly so. Of course, there are some serious advantages to actively hearing what the people that are responsible for your income have to say.

The reason for this is that listening to feedback and changing the way you do things in line with this will ensure that your customers are much happier. Both because they have been heard, and as things have been changed to better suit their needs.

Of course, happier customers are much more likely to remain loyal to your brand. Something that can ensure you have an effective sales funnel at all times, and your business is as successful as possible.

Be transparent, and keep promises.

A big part of gaining the loyalty of your customers is trust. In fact, if your customers trust you, then they are much more likely to be loyal. Of course, for a business to be trusted by its customers requires several things.

The first is that you keep any promises, you make no matter how small. Something that means deliveries need to arrive on time calls returned and problems solved.

Additionally, being transparent about your business’s ethos and practices is also essential if you want your customers to trust you. Something that means you need to both have a policy regarding company and supplier ethics and that you make sure you operate in line with this.

Of course, the work involved in establishing such trust will often be well rewarded. With customers coming back time and again for repeat business. Some may even become superfans or ambassadors for your brand organically, spreading the good word about you online and IRL!