How to Get Customers Through Convenience Marketing
Shoppers migrate toward convenience. Entrepreneurs need to be aware of these when they are developing their
products, services and marketing strategies, as convenience has a great impact on the customer's purchasing
decision.
Convenience doesn't necessarily mean that a product is easy to use. It can mean that a business is easy to find
and access. Convenience is close and ample parking or when a store is open late hours. Service business also want
to pay attention to making scheduling simple. Focus on mone major convenience to shoppers or offer many. You know
your market - what do they want?
When shopping is made easy, customers are more likely to buy again, and more often. In addition, they will refer
their friends and talk about their great shopping experience. When customers have a great shopping experience with
you, they are a much easier sell. Your job as a salesperson instantly becomes much easier.
There are several ways that businesses can offer convenience to their clients:
- Customers want to shop and buy when they want - make it easy on them. That means 7 days a week, 24 hours a
day. Many businesses are finding that websites are an easy low cost answer. Customers can browse and shop at
their convenience and buy when they are ready. Some companies have phone service around the clock for
customers.
- Let shoppers pay in a variety of different ways - give them choices. Accept as many types of credit cards
as you can. If appropriate, offer payment plans or financing to encourage shoppers to buy. Even if most buyers
make their purchases using Visa cards, for example, most people prefer to have choices and are more likely to
shop with stores that offer options.
- Let people contact you for free by offering a toll-free phone line. Make it easy to remember if you can.
These days, toll-free numbers can be set up for very little cost and with low per-minute rates, they are
affordable for most small businesses. Instant messaging, Skype numbers and website communication tools are also
extra conveniences businesses can offer their customers to help answer questions and speed up the sales
process.
- Provide all the information and ansers that your customers need on a website that is accessible 24 hours a
day. Provide background on your company, contact information and details on shipping, returns, guarantees,
etc... The more answers you supply, the better prepared your prospect will be to make a purchase decision. On
top of that, when your company is open and straightforward about what it offers, customers are more likely to
trust you and want to do business with you.
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Value the customer's time and do not waste it. Whether they are in your store or on the
other end of the phone line, provide quick solutions and do not keep them waiting. Make all paperwork and
instructions easy to understand so customers are less likely to get frustrated.
How would you like to be treated if you were the prospect? Your prospect most likely wants the same
treatment. Take care of transactions and situations like you are working with a close friend. If you are
unsure of what your particular customer wants, ask. Shoppers want to know that you are interested in them, and this
genuine act will definitely demonstrate your interest.
With so much competition in the marketplace today, small businesses cannot afford to offer just standard service
to their clients. Companies need to go above and beyond in customer service in order to stay in business. The extra
effort in customer service will pay off in lower advertising costs and higher profits, so it is well worth the
investment in time.
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