Four out of five people will research a company online before ever calling them. And about 80% of you who are reading this will find that easy to believe, because that’s exactly what you do, too. Whether searching for a restaurant, a mechanic, or a doctor, people want to know as much as they can before calling.
So what can you do to make the most of this fact? Here are some tips to maximize the impact of your potential customers’ initial impressions of your business:
Website as a Sales Team: Your website is the biggest platform you have available to you to put your best foot forward before your potential customers ever pick up the phone. And everything about that presentation matters. If your website is outdated, isn’t clear and compelling, or doesn’t answer some very basic questions, you could be losing sales on a daily basis. And if you don’t even have a website, you are definitely missing out on sales.
Frequently Asked Questions: As the saying goes, time is money. How much time do you spend on the phone answering the same questions over and over? Since most people will visit your website before calling you, answering anticipated questions online will save you time. But it is also more likely to result in a the customer taking that next step and reaching out to you, because answering questions before people even ask is a good way to start building a sense of assurance with your customers.
Offer Incentive: Most people find it hard to pass up a good deal, so offering some kind of incentive for them to take the next step can go a long way toward establishing trust, and ultimately, a lasting relationship. For instance, if you’re a mechanic, you might offer a steep discount on their first oil change.
Once you’ve got them in the door, the rest is up to you. Wow them with great service, and you may end up with a loyal customer on your hands. And you know what happens then, right? They go out and tell their friends about you. And what do their friends do? That’s right, they look you up online. And the cycle continues…