A new entrepreneur has a lot to think about. They have to find something to offer, find customers to offer it to and you’ve got to get them coming back. Sounds easy? It’s not.
Even finding something to offer takes work. It doesn’t matter how good your service is if nobody needs it. And that’s assuming you even have something to offer. Too many new entrepreneurs make the mistake of rushing in. Unless you have a plan, you’ll only increase your chances of failure. The future of your business depends on planning ahead.
But planning ahead isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. As a new entrepreneur with a brand new business, there are plenty of decisions you need to make from the get-go.
Get Known
In today’s world, the customer isn’t going to buy from someone they don’t trust. It doesn’t matter what the product is. It doesn’t matter where you’re located. And it doesn’t matter who your customer is. If they don’t trust you, they won’t buy from you.
If you want someone to buy from you, they need to trust that you and your business is the best option for them. They need to have as much trust in you as you have in knowing that what you offer will make their lives better. So how do you get them to trust you? By offering a reliable service—but we’ll save that for later. You have to introduce yourself first. To do that, you need a website, a social media account, or even just plain marketing via advertising. Even better, have all three. But a simple website can suffice. The point is to have some sort of online presence. Even a little online presence can be the difference between a sale and the customer finding someone else.
Deliver What You Offer
Let’s say you finally got the customer to look at what you’re selling. Let’s even say they’re right on the cusp of buying. Not just on the cusp, they’re begging to buy from you. Nothing will make a customer run away faster than hearing that you can’t deliver. Imagine ordering something online. You found what you’re looking for. The seller even has great reviews. You’re right about to give them your money when your friend tells you about the thing he ordered from them. The packaging was cheap and his order was destroyed in the mail. He’s not going to buy from that seller anymore—and neither will your customer if they find out you’re using some cheap packaging.
Even if it’s as simple as switching to name-brand packaging, like Bolt Boxes instead of the generic, you need to make sure the customer gets what they ask for. Like we’ve mentioned before, reliable service is what makes a customer trust in you. Reliable service leads to customer satisfaction.
Great Service Means Great Reviews
Don’t underestimate the power of a good review.
If other people can testify to your reliability, the chances that the customer will have seconds thoughts drastically reduce. And the easiest way to have someone vouch for you is with a review. Reviews convey trust, and when you show you can be trusted, you have a customer.
But how can you get a good review? By offering exceptional customer service. Go beyond what the customer expects and deliver not just a great product but a great customer experience too. When the customer feels that they got what they wanted and then some, they’ll be grateful. They’ll feel like they made the right choice in choosing you. They’ll feel good about themselves and about your product.
There is no better review than one left by a customer who has had a positive experience with you.
Most start-ups fail
You can do everything right and still fall flat on your face. That’s the nature of the business and something you need to come to terms with as an entrepreneur. And the only way to do that is to trust in yourself and the methods you use. Focusing on the customer won’t guarantee that you’ll succeed, but the alternative? That’s a guarantee for failure.
