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The image of your business sets the tone for your company’s success. You’ve heard that you may not get a second chance to make a first impression?
Just as we judge others within the first few seconds of meeting them, we do the same for a business.
Your Business Image Is More Than Your Visual Brand
It’s your customer service.
Your marketing and sales.
How you communicate with customers.
How they perceive you.
And it’s the way you do business.
Business Image Improvement Month (May) is about putting your best foot forward and making a plan to change in those areas that need improvement.
Companies get image makeovers all the time using a process called rebranding. A brand is an overall experience and association with a company, its products, and its services.
The focus of most brands is the logo, which can sometimes even become the reason people spend their money on certain products. Logos never stay the same forever.
Companies need to progress with the times and with their marketing strategy. If you need a logo, launch a logo design contest and choose the best one for you.
Make Doing Business With You Easy
Your prospects should have to work hard to become your customers. For instance, if you need to make appointments with your customers, you can use an online schedule software making it easy for them.
This type of software will also free up your time. You’ll have fewer phone calls to answer. No more playing phone tag. And you’ll have time for your paying customers right in front of you. It’s a win-win!
Make It Easy For Prospects to Get Answers
Many platforms are adding online chat boxes like LiveChat. This allows you to instantly answer questions leaving them happy and cared for. This means more purchases and a higher average order value.
“Personalized customer service is an essential ingredient for brands to compete in today’s marketplace. 72% of customers are more likely to purchase from a website if they can communicate with the brand in real-time.” says Dan Caldwell, Strategic Partner Manager, at Klaviyo.
Rebranding Can Be Useful For Improving A Business Image
Rebranding can be as detailed or as simple as you need or have the budget for. No company has a perfect brand experience, but periodic improvements will ensure greater success. It’s necessary to stay fresh in the eyes of your customers and to gain the market share that you could be missing out on.
A valid time to consider rebranding is if your company is headed in a new direction–either due to new technology, new industry trends, new markets, or a new product launch. Work from an approach based on facts related to sales, profits, and customer feedback. Take control with strategic, relevant branding that differentiates you from the competition.
Another good time to make changes is when you must adapt to changing consumer needs and industry direction. For instance, companies needed to adapt to the boom of the information age. Most companies nowadays must have a website or social media page to be successful.
Your social media presence, or lack of it, can impact your business image. If your target market is younger, you certainly want to have a presence on social media channels.
A nice-looking website can go a long way but changes in customer service can help improve your business image as well. Good customer service can help create customers for life. Make sure your customer service staff know how to treat people with kindness — whether in person or over the phone.
Conclusion
No matter how big your business image improvements are that you decide to make, be sure to maintain a consistent look and feel across all your marketing channels. That way your customers will feel comfortable wherever they come in contact with you.
Remember that rebranding is an internal change that recreates your business image and could happen any time or multiple times over the life of your business. Deciding to rebrand just means that your business is growing or changing, not that it is failing.
And don’t hesitate to contact me if you need an extra hand while you’re going through the process. I’m here to help!