Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question,“what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.
Online marketing is getting more and more effective. There are always new ways to help businesses get and retain customer attention. Interactivity is one way to build relationships and a sense of community around a business, instead of trying to create a revolving door of one-time consumers.
These five tips will help you get started.
- Making the experience accessible
Anyone who runs a business will tell you that the customer experience s everything. Ideally, you want a digital store front to be as friendly and welcoming as an in-person store front. Organizations like Magento Enterprise Agency work with business owners to design digital storefronts that can help mimic a brick and mortar location. Even if you don’t work with a professional, make sure your digital storefront is sleek and the check out process simple. Learn about your customers and use features to suggest products and deals specific to their tastes. Think about the different platforms, too. Recognize that more customers are buying less on their desktops and laptops and more on their mobile devices. - Talking to your customers
What matters as much as the products and services you deliver and how you deliver products and services is what you offer outside of the buying process. Business owners can use the internet and social media to share knowledge and tips about their products and services to help customers get the most of them. Writing blog articles and giving webinars provide businesses with the unique opportunity to share that knowledge. Building a base may also help you create a new revenue stream by monetizing your knowledge base and tips down the road. - Getting social media active
Not everyone is going to be the audience for webinars or long form articles. That’s why you should to adopt diverse strategies to getting in touch with your customers. Being truly proactive on social media can help you do that. The user base is wide and the format is easily to read and participate in. You can use it to all kinds of different purposes, too. You can share your business news. You can create and share surveys. Don’t forget to develop content with a clear strategy in mind. - Give customers reasons to get involved
People like to be heard and responding to a brief (sometimes even just one question!) survey is an easy way to let your customers be heard and give you more insight into their behavior. Another common, effective tactic is the giveaway. Whether it’s on its own or attached to a survey, people like the chance to win something. They’re also a lot more likely to share what you post if it has more perceived worth to it. - Following up
One important thing about making your business a more interactive service is following up on correspondence. If someone’s a first time customer, send a thank you note, even a digital thank you note. If they attend your webinar, send the slides or a recording to them when it is over. Give customers a chance to respond with feedback, too. Don’t make a process where you talk to people. Talk with them.
A sense of community is the best thing you can hope for with any business online or in person. Community creates not only customers, but loyal customers and potential brand advocates.