The 21st century and the worldwide recession have definitely put the cat among the pigeons where small business is concerned but there are plenty of easy no-cost and low-cost solutions for small businesses to maintain and even increase share of the market. As small shops find they can’t contend with giant conglomerates they unavoidably fail, unless they can offer more to their customers. This is performed by smart selling and offering price and a better experience to the purchaser.
Hence what’s the solution to this worrying problem will our only choice be to shop like drones in these giant warehouses?
If you have a bricks and mortar consultant store like a camera shop or a tool store chances are that you are fighting to make money by cutting margins and overheads radically. This country has to get back to offering price in the shape of excellent post-sale and pre-sale shopper service, offer experience and employ people who know what they are doing, not someone who has neither initiative, character nor expertise.
Look at what the major chains do Not offer and you will see that consumer service is a thing of the past, their stores all look the same and if they have not got what you need, you are sunk. Local businesses are what make a community and folks who have chosen to start their own businesses have a fondness for what they do and they love to help when was the last time that occurred in your local Wallymart?
Google is doing everything to encourage small local businesses to get an internet site. If you’ve a highly specialised business your website can right away become number one when someone searches for Your City and your expert service. Just this simple minimal cost selling solution can bring in lots of new consumers. For a small charge you may be listed in local directories, your local Chamber of Commerce and on Angie’s list, which should sum up to more visibility and less cost than any costly mag or weekly newspaper ad, and don’t forget mobile web access.
Starting and maintaining a website isn’t tough or dear, nowadays an attractive WordPress site can be built in under 2 hours all that it costs is monthly hosting and a web site name fee. On a local strip I lately asked eleven small business owners if they had a website and just one said yes. If you want to start your own business the market is wide open to help these folks out and make yourself a great living, I just wish I had the time.
All a small local business desires is a Google map of where they are , a page explaining what they do, a section that gives opening hours and contact details, some great footage and perhaps a record of the business and that is it! Add an opt in box and a once a month newsletter can go out, discounts can be sent and sales articulated, and with the addition of some affiliate advertizing the site can actually make the business owner some money even after covering the minor costs involved.
Online businesses have a much harder time getting themselves to the pinnacle of the search site lists. They have harder competition and have to deal with back linking, article writing and SEO and lots of other selling strategies they must employ to achieve success. A small local business blog built on WordPress can also serve as a means for clients to ask about products and services also , cutting back on inbound telephone calls that often come when attempting to deal with other shoppers. It is all about attraction selling and getting business back to the way they should be unique, useful and well informed businesses with fantastic customer service that offer an pleasurable shopping experience for all who walk through the door.
Discover some useful tips for keeping a SUCCESSFUL small business afloat in these daunting economic times! Stay ahead of the COMPETITION by using these simple strategies.
