As business owners in order to win new customers we often place huge emphasis on improving our product or service offerings. Despite all our hard work we are still very likely to miss out on new business because we don’t cater for enough communication channels which our potential customers might be using. The web in particular is offering now days a selection of complimentary communication tools which we as business owners must stay on top of.
7 Ways to Win New Business Through Better Communication
Talk Online With Your Customers – There are many 3rd party chat applications allowing potential customers to quickly contact the business at a click of their keyboard. Those applications are extremely useful particularly for online retailers and some such as Google Talk Chatback are free, east to install and demand little technical skills to get them up and running.
Get in Touch Via Twitter – Some of our clients use Twitter and have asked us on a number of occasions why haven’t we joined. At first it wasn’t clear how we could win new business through Twitter, however we are now considering using it as a rapid customer support communication tool and occasionally to list product offers and promotions.
Offer Skype Web Button – The aim of allowing potential customers to use Skype to contact the business is to get as many leads through the door as possible. For customers already using Skype for their communication, calling the business is just a click away. If you think your business could benefit from using Skype here’s more information.
Offer Rapid 10min Reply Email Service - The idea here is to offer a priority email address for potential customers and to reply back while they are still in a mindset to purchase from you. As a typical business you will always find potential customers who prefer to communicate via email therefore, optimising your email communication is very important for winning new business.
Offer 0800 Telephone Line – Along the lines of offering a Skype web button, 0800 free numbers are another way to get more leads through the door. In addition, offering this communication option to contact the business can help to increase its credibility and give a more professional appearance.
Use Online Surveys – Using online survey tools such as Survey Monkey will allow the business to engage with customers who have opened an account or submitted some details, but for various reasons haven’t placed an order.
Use Online Feedback Form – Online services like kampyle allow you to listen and react to potential customer’s feedback. Because we often spend days on creating what we consider the perfect service or offer, we often don’t see potential problems on time. By opening our mind to accepting feedback, potential problems could surface on time.
Which communication tools are you using to win new business?
This is a guest post by Ran, the online marketing manager of hardwood flooring e-retailer Wood and Beyond.
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
One point –
Some pretty good research has shown that 0800 numbers can actually reduce the trust level and credability of a business. A standard local line will cost you less and achieve the same. People don’t remember phone numbers.
If you can’t be heard your message will not be spread. The more avenues you use for communication on all levels, the better your chances of reaching as wide an audience as possible is.
Hay all,
Loving Google talk product, we currently buy a ‘Live Chat’ product on an annual basis and this solves various issues and not to mention the saving in the pocket.
Thanks
Lawson
Very helpful information.
We have found that by using a quick contact form limited to the customer just putting a few details such as name telephone number and enquiry has improved our business immensely.