Making the most of your business - online

Online businesses are the new "it" when it comes to the business world, but because the marketplace has flooded with businesses in the last 10 years, it can be difficult to prove that you do know exactly what you are selling or offering. As a result it is vital that online businesses (as with any other) stay ahead of the pack by growing in knowledge to offer the best service available.

How can I find out more?

One of the most important tools we have in business is the internet. We can join a number of groups, societies and associations to stay up to date with snail mail – but to be on the cutting edge, there is nothing like the instantaneous internet.

There are a number of clever tricks we can use to get the information as soon as it becomes available.

Grow a great relationship with your manufacturer if possible – email them regularly, check their websites for upgrades or further information – above all stay in communication with them.

Set up a google alert. Depending on your business, things can change in a blink of an eye. The importance of a google alert is that email you get when something is added to the Internet news providers using your search string. Get creative, and wait for the results. This will help keep you up on important happenings that may affect you.

Important things to do regularly

Regularly check your website – there is nothing more annoying for a client who goes to visit your website and finds an error message because something has gone awry. When I visit a website like this, I mentally note that I won’t go back if I have a choice. And if you do find an error get someone onto it straight away – and put up a message on your site and email your clients to make him or her aware. Not only does it make you look a lot less professional if it is not dealt with quickly, it looks just plain dodgy.

Send out information & offers to your regular clients. Keep yourself fresh in their memory. The difference between good service and great service is communication. Make sure that if they purchased that $500 coffee set, when the tea set becomes available you email them to make them aware. Offer incentives for them to come back to your business. Bricks and Mortar have the added advantage, buyers can walk in off the street, and they can get their items instantaneously. So you need the edge that great customer service offers. Follow them up too. Make sure they are happy with their purchase and if not find out why and what you can do about it.

Listen to your clientele – what do they want, what do they look at regularly? If it is a size 24 baby doll nightgown they are looking at in droves, then that is possibly what you should consider stocking more of, ask what they want – because if they know you will stock what they want, it is likely they will tell their friends and they will hopefully also become your clients.

At the end of the day, you need to be always working to make the best of your opportunities. Make sure that you know what is happening on the ground. Make sure your offer fantastic service and don’t be afraid to communicate.

While time is money, the more time you put into your website, the greater your chances of reaping the financial rewards.