If you own a business, you have done a lot of adjusting around the pandemic to stay solvent and avoid closure. Many business owners have increased their online presence or shifted over to a predominantly online business model, and this has changed the way many companies operate. As we recover from COVID-19 and see the market begin to shift back toward normal, it’s important for businesses to continue their online growth. The pandemic has taught us the value of being disaster-ready, and for small businesses, this means having a diverse income stream that can withstand the ups and downs of the economy when large-scale devastating events occur.

Communication with staff and customers is an important element of staying ahead in business. When it comes to business ownership, your ability to communicate is critical, and it could even impact your success. WONGCW presents some ideas below.

Communication Tips for Your Online Business

Think of each interaction in your business as an opportunity to demonstrate your values and brand. A simple online dialogue with a customer has the potential to offer you additional referrals through word of mouth. This may feel like a lot of pressure, but it does not need to be. Consider upgrading your website. Use AI features like a chatbot to direct customers to frequently asked questions or field communications with an email inquiry option. Using AI allows you to set certain times each day in which to respond to messages, ensuring you’re in the right mindset to do so.

Always strive to make good customer service one of the highlights of your company. Routinely use customizable follow-up surveys to determine what people like and dislike about your services or products. In addition to boosting your customer service and communication skills, increase your access to new clientele by hiring a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist.

Drawing In Customers

Your website can become a one-stop shop for your business. Consider what your customers care about. Create useful, SEO-rich content like videos and tips that will keep them coming back for more. For example, if you have an accounting business, offer content that helps people understand tax law or share frequently overlooked deductions that can save people money. Offering templates and freebies on your website is another great way to encourage visitors to frequent your site.

Offer sales on popular items or services periodically. Offering a frequent-buyer discount after a certain number of purchases incentivizes customers to buy more and/or give feedback, as well as shows your gratitude. Another important improvement for your business is upgrading your systems to ensure that your transactions are seamless.

System Upgrades for the Win

If your business has expanded its horizons with a greater online presence, make sure your systems are operating at full capacity. Customers become frustrated with poorly constructed websites and broken links, so be sure to have an IT professional assess your site. If you have a website that has been around for a while, it may be worth hiring a web designer to refresh and update everything. Consider upgrading payment methods on your site and include the most common, secured payment options such as PayPal and Google Pay.

Your behind-the-scenes tech should also be up to par. Updating your payroll methods is one of the most important things you can do. By investing in a trustworthy payroll platform, you boost profits, cut costs, and improve relationships with your employees through greater accuracy and timeliness of their paychecks. Time tracking through mobile means further guarantees efficient scheduling and higher productivity. All in all, you can reclaim hours of your workday from the clutches of payroll, while streamlining team management.

Your business has survived a global pandemic! Continue to grow and succeed with these upgrades and fresh ideas to keep customers coming back for more and your employees happy and productive.

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