In today’s hypercompetitive business landscape, companies find it difficult to attract new customers and retain them.
To stand out in the sea of similar businesses, you need to build a memorable brand that prioritizes customer experiences.
Here are a few tactics to help you.
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
Customer service is the backbone of your business. That is why it needs to be spotless.
According to statistics, 90% of U.S. consumers believe customer service is a key deciding factor during the purchase process.
Today, customer support goes far beyond back-and-forth emails and phone calls. No one wants to wait in lengthy lines or be put on hold. They expect your business to provide fast, almost instantaneous, customer service 24/7.
For starters, diversify your customer service channels.
Use live chat platforms on your website and Facebook account to offer faster and more personalized communications.
To increase the availability of customer service, consider creating an AI chatbot on your website. Bots can answer customer questions in real-time, regardless of a customer’s time zone. That way, your business is available even when your support agents clock off.
Social networks are a powerful customer service channel, too. Use social media monitoring tools, such as Hootsuite, to track your brand, product, and hashtag mentions. You can learn what customers are talking about you in the digital landscape and, above all, provide fast and more natural feedback.
To centralize your customer service channel under a single platform, invest in a customer support CRM solution.
Diversify your Online Presence
Digital marketing has become a standard practice for businesses. It allows you to narrow down your reach and focus on the right customer groups.
Start by building a well-designed website. To boost website traffic, generate qualified leads, and convert them into sales, optimize your site for search engines, as well.
Next, invest in email marketing. It is perfect for engaging users and building relationships with them. You can use it to promote relevant products and collect customer feedback. For example, when a customer purchases from Amazon, the brand sends them an email, asking them to review the product on their site.
Finally, register on industry-specific marketplaces. For example, if you are a fashion designer, sell your products on online designer moda platforms. That way, you can increase brand exposure and drives more traffic to your site.
When building your online presence, keep it consistent and on-brand. Hire branding professionals to help you establish brand assets, such as logos and colors, and injecting them into every online and offline marketing channel you use.
Encourage Social Responsibility
Customers expect your brand to be socially responsible. Statistics back me up on that. Namely, 52% of customers would spend more on brands that align with their social values. Moreover, 61% would recommend a brand that aligns with their friends’ values and attitudes.
Many companies have adopted social responsibility as the core of their business. One such example is TOMS, a shoe company known for their One for One campaign. For every pair of shoes you buy, they give another one to people in need.
Levi Strauss focuses on brand sustainability. In recent years, the renowned fashion brand has committed to reducing the amount of water used in product production.
While this approach may seem costly or unnecessary for your small business, it provides multiple benefits. It helps you gain customer trust and industry credibility. Customers are more likely to purchase from companies that share their values. That way, they feel they are making a positive impact with every product purchased from you.
Reward Customer Loyalty
Retaining returning shoppers is vital for your company’s success. According to Pareto’s 80/20 principle, 80% of your profit comes from 20% of your returning customers.
Offering a customer loyalty program is an effective way to attract new customers and retain them.
One such example is Sephora. Their Beauty Insider rewards program is getting wildly popular. By registering, customers earn rewards for each purchase. They can redeem them for discounts and gift cards. That way, they can save up while still purchasing the top quality.
Conclusions
While that is not the ultimate list of all marketing tactics you can use to stand out, it can serve as a starting point.
You can conclude that the focus is on customer-centricity. Build marketing campaigns that support a cause, reward customer loyalty, and offer exceptional customer service. Above all, keep your brand consistent and recognizable.
Author’s BIO:
Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.
