In today’s world – where people spend more time looking at a screen than they do looking at a human face – it has never been more important to harness the power of the internet for your business. Whether you prefer to get new business by referrals (personally my favorite way to get new business!) or through a search engine, the internet is your best tool for success. And since keeping a customer is much more cost-effective than gaining a new customer, it would be foolhardy not to take advantage of the many ways that the internet can build customer loyalty – and future referrals!
New Business – Your website – along with other items that come up in a Google search for your name – functions as your personal sales team in your absence. Whether someone finds you in a business directory or hears about you at a cocktail party, their next step will be to look you up – and you certainly want your own website (as well as others that mention you) to put your best face forward and convince the person to call you – right there from the screen.
Current Customers – Providing valuable content to your customers via your website and other social networks is a great way to keep in touch, build up customer loyalty, and encourage upselling and referrals. If customers can’t remember who – or why – they came to you in the first place, they won’t be prone to use you again in the future or recommend you to others. Different ways to build customer loyalty for repeat sales – as well as referrals – on the internet include E-newsletters, email blasts, social network connections and blogging website content.
The internet is not only everywhere – it is also free, and such strategies all involve time – not money – to give you and your business the best return on your investment.
