engagement Archives - NAZwebz Studio Sites

Building business credibility with potential customers and clients who find you online is an important task. Your website needs to scream (or at least state clearly) that you are the company to meet their need, solve their problem, or otherwise earn their patronage. Even your current customers will appreciate the reassurances that a well thought out website and social media presence provides.

Start with your current satisfied customers

Social proof (aka testimonials, reviews, rave comments left on social media) goes a long way to build your small business’s credibility. If the customers who have already done business with you are gushing with praise, prospective customers can’t help but be impressed. Start asking your customers or clients for reviews and testimonials. Share the best of them directly on your website. If someone posts a complaint rather than a rave review, reach out to them within the same platform and ask how you can make things better. If the problem requires a more private conversation to resolve, don’t continue publicly but make sure people who see the complaint will also see that you were prompt about making the effort to improve.

Build a strong brand identity

Even while you’re expressing your unique style you still want to be perceived as professional. Take the time to develop a strong brand identity that connects your website to your social media to your email campaigns. Your customers should recognize your small business wherever they find it, not just on your website.

That said, make sure your website doesn’t let you down. Your site should look modern and professional, including the domain. Purchase a domain that clearly states who you are and/or what you do (you can have more than one). By all means, don’t make the mistake of using a domain that gives credit to the company hosting your site. You may choose to build a site on WordPress.com, Wix, or Squarespace but make sure you don’t leave their name in your domain. Make the investment to get “yourbusiness.com” rather than settling for “yourbusiness.wordpress.com.”

Let your personality shine through

Don’t hide who you are behind a veil of business lingo that your customers won’t relate to. For the small business owner, this is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd of corporate-owned shops that can’t bring the web browsing community right into the store with them. You can. Even a seriously professional office can step away from the ready-made template and expose a little of what sets them apart from their competition. Take advantage of the opportunity you have to make unique choices in your web design and online marketing strategy.

Blog, blog, blog

Don’t stop working on your website when it’s officially launched on the Internet. Create content for your site that reflects your knowledge of your industry. Just don’t be so technical that only your colleagues and peers are able to understand. Even if you don’t think your small business lends itself to good blog content, find a way to add a fresh take on what you’re doing. If you run a bakery, post some of your favorite recipes that you aren’t producing in your shop. There’s always something you can post about that will build your business credibility.

Get active on social media

Use your business social media accounts to engage with people. The more you interact with others the faster your trust and credibility will increase. Use the opportunity to be genuine and transparent. Online audiences know they have options, so use the time they give you to really connect with them. Answer their questions, without always pushing them to your website. Listen to your fans, followers, and prospects. Respond in a way that demonstrates how much you value them. Check-in on your accounts at least once a day so your responses are delivered in a timely manner.

Believe

Incorporate these techniques and tactics into your online marketing strategy and you’ll see your business credibility climb in the minds of your customers and clients. But don’t stop there. You also have to believe in yourself — that you are the person, and the business, that delivers on your promises and exceeds expectations. Your confidence is contagious. Your communication will ooze with the confidence that you’re the one who will get the job done.

Sources:

https://convertwithcontent.com/5-ways-build-online-credibility/

https://www.fabipaolini.com/build-credibility-online/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/279937

There was a time when it was impressive for a small business simply to have an online presence. This is not that time. Today it’s all about using your small business website to build online connections with your customers. In many ways, we’ve become disconnected from those around us. When someone shows an interest in building a relationship with us, it makes us feel good. We feel like we’re important to them. When we get that from a shop owner we’re more likely to do business there. Here are five ways you can build a genuine online connection with your customers.

1. Engage Customers Through Various Channels

You start by including a phone number and email address on your website. An easy to use contact form will make it even easier for a customer to reach out to you. And don’t forget to add links to the social media accounts you’ve set up for your business.

Start with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Monitor these accounts so that whenever a customer leaves a question or comment you’re able to respond quickly. Although these avenues are very public, you can make the conversation private if necessary. However, by initially responding publicly other customers will see that you’re taking the time to engage in a timely way.

Consistency is important. Be sure that your response time, messaging, and follow-through are the same across all channels.

2. Get to Know Your Customers

Take time to learn who your customers are. The more you know about your customers the better you can focus your messaging to resonate with them. Google Analytics gives you insight into the demographics of your website visitors. Facebook Pixel provides in-depth information including cross-device usage and conversion habits. You can install both of these tools on your small business website yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

3. Keep It Personal

Don’t let yourself get side-tracked by the desire to make a sale. Let your website serve up the sales pitch. When you respond to inquiries from customers, keep your focus on solving the problem presented. Keep in mind that they’ll do more business with you if they feel you truly care about them. Connect with your customers first, the transactions will follow.

4. Show Your Appreciation

Everyone wants to be appreciated. Show your customers that they’re important to you and your business. Whether they follow you on social media or signed up for your mailing list, you can create special offers that are meaningful and just for them. This is another reason it pays off to know as much about your customers as you can.

5. Content Marketing

This is one of those buzz phrases you’ve probably run into more than once. Content marketing is about publishing and distributing content that speaks to your customers. It’s content that’s designed to increase their engagement. This can be accomplished through blog posts, podcasts, infographics, social media, videos, and paid advertising. Your small business website helps connect your customers to your content. Once the content is published on your site, it can be shared across multiple channels.

Now you know how to build online connections with your customers and develop a relationship with them. As the relationship grows so will customer loyalty.

Sources:

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/content-marketing

https://articles.bplans.com/seven-creative-ways-to-engage-with-your-customers-online/

https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/5-ways-to-connect-with-your-customers-and-grow-your-customer-base/

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10330-connect-with-customers.html