The 21st century and the world recession have definitely put the kitty among the pigeons where small business is concerned but there are plenty of straightforward no-cost and low-cost solutions for small businesses to maintain and even increase market share. As small retailers find they cannot vie with giant conglomerates they unavoidably fail, unless they can offer more to their customers. This is done by smart promoting and offering price and a better experience to the shopper.
Hence what’s the answer to this troubling problem will our only choice be to shop like drones in these giant warehouses?
If you have a bricks and mortar expert store like a camera shop or a tool store chances are you are struggling to generate revenue by cutting margins and overheads significantly. This country has to get back to offering value in the form of wonderful post-sale and pre-sale shopper service, offer expertise and employ folk who know what they’re doing, not someone who has neither initiative, personality nor expertise.
Look at what the major chains don’t offer and you will see that shopper service is a thing of the past, their stores all look the same and if they have not got what you want, you’re sunk. Local businesses are what make a community and people who’ve selected to start their own businesses have a fondness for what they do and they really like to help when was the last time that occurred in your local Wallymart?
Google is doing everything to prompt small local businesses to get an internet site. If you have got a highly specialised business your website can instantly become number one when someone searches for Your Town and your expert service. Just this simple lower cost selling solution can bring in hundreds of new customers. For a small charge you can be listed in local directories, your local Chamber of Commerce and on Angie’s list, which may mount up to more visibility and less cost than any costly magazine or weekly newspaper ad, and do not forget mobile web access.
Starting and maintaining an internet site is not tough or dear, nowadays a tasty WordPress site can be built in less than two hours all that it costs is monthly hosting and a web site name fee. On a local strip I lately asked 11 small business owners if they had a website and just one announced yes. If you would like to kick off your own business the market is wide open to help these people out and make yourself a great living, I just wish That 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 data, some great photos and perhaps a record of the business and that’s it! Add an opt in box and a once per month newsletter can go out, discounts can be despatched and sales announced, and with the addition of some affiliate advertizing the site can actually make the business owner some money even after covering the minor costs concerned.
Online businesses have a much more hard time getting themselves to the top of the search website lists. They have harder competition and have to deal with back linking, article writing and SEO and dozens of other marketing tactics they must employ to achieve success. A small local business blog built on WordPress can also operate as a means for customers to ask questions about services and goods too , cutting back on inbound telephone calls that often come when trying to cope with other shoppers. It’s about attraction promoting and getting business back to the way that they should be unique, helpful and knowledgeable businesses with wonderful client service that provide 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.