Ways to Create the Right First Impression for Your Business
First impressions always count, and for a business, it can make or break how the consumer sees your brand. Whether your business is a start-up with limited funding or a larger corporation with a vast presence, every detail matters for that initial interaction. There are several factors to create the best impression, and some don’t require high investment to get started.
Check out some of the top ways to make your business look professional and keep customers coming back:
1. Create a business email
It’s surprising how many companies still use personal email accounts to communicate with customers. However, if someone receives an email from a personal account, what is their first thought? In most cases, it’s not a positive one. Unless you want business emails to end up in their junk folder, create a professional one. You don’t have to have a live website to do it either. Buy a domain name and forward this to your personal one in the short term.
2. Use a business address and telephone number
Many businesses start small and might not have the funds to rent office space. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a business address. Using a grade A virtual office service allows you to take advantage of a prestigious address to use on your correspondence. They also provide other services such as mail forwarding, telephone answering, and administration services if required.
3. Create a website
People across the world use the internet, so if you want to be seen, you need a web presence. Making a website doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it should professionally represent your brand. There are numerous content management systems, such as WordPress, that you can create a simple design with. For more extensive websites, hire a web developer to tailor the design to your exact preferences.
4. Make your branding consistent
Before you start promoting your business, be sure to get your branding right. Everything should be consistent throughout the company, even down to the corporate stationery. Branding helps consumers identify your company against competitors, so changing it every few months will confuse the message. Once you have your branding set in stone, stick with it.
5. Start building credit
In the early stages of business, there will be no credit history to your name. This may create issues getting credit with some companies, but start to research suppliers that will help you build it up. Start with a few credit accounts to ensure you manage cash flow well. Once these begin to build your credit history, you’ll enjoy more benefits such as improved terms and increased credit limits.
6. Set your terms of business
When invoicing customers, be sure to set out your business terms from the outset. A professional company will have a fair system in place so that customers know what to expect. Setting terms for everything from invoicing to return periods is crucial to managing cash flow and future forecasting.