Running a mum and pop shop can be an everyday challenge. From creating business systems to managing the day-to-day operations, there are a lot of moving parts involved in running a small business that’s essentially your and your family’s main livelihood source.
With that being the case, it’s crucial to take the right steps to maximise how you’ll earn a profit from your venture. One way of doing that is by showing customers that you’re running an establishment that’s truly worth their time and respect.
This entails presenting your business in a way that creates a positive impression from the start. From setting up a dedicated phone number to building an online presence, there are many ways you can build credibility while keeping costs under control.
So without further ado, here are some ways you can make your family business sound bigger and more professional than it may currently be at this time. Let’s get started!
Get a Dedicated Business Number
One of the most effective ways to amplify the credibility of your business is by giving it a dedicated business number.
Instead of having customers call you using a personal phone number, having a separate business line can give the impression that your business is bigger than it is—usually without contributing too much to monthly costs.
A dedicated business number essentially makes it easier for customers to identify and remember your business when they need to get in touch.
They are unique in a sense that they have a distinguishable starting sequence—such as 1300 or 1800. This gives customers an indication that it’s an organisation or business firm holding the number.
There are many 1300 numbers for small business by Teleca and other providers around. These numbers can also be customised into a word or phrase too, making them easier for customers to remember—particularly when the sequence is relevant to your business.
Besides the distinguishable starting sequence, business numbers are also great at keeping your personal contact details separate from your business communications. This can be particularly useful for mum-and-dad businesses where the owner is personally involved in handling customer enquiries.
Furthermore, business numbers also have smart call routing features and automated menu responses. This makes it a great tool to have in case your business is starting to ramp up and scale with greater momentum.
By placing a business number in marketing material and websites, you can appear more credible to leads and prospects who happen to pass by and view these places. This, in turn, increases your chances of converting them into paying and loyal customers.
Build a Professional Online Presence
Another effective way to make your mum-and-dad business appear more established is by building a professional online presence.
Every modern business nowadays has a digital footprint in one form or another. And if you’re lagging in this aspect, you’re sorely missing out on funnelling in new leads for your family business.
Having a professional website and active social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and the like can make it easier for potential customers to discover your business and learn more about what you offer.
It also allows you to showcase your products or services and provide important information such as your contact details and operating hours readily.
The key here is to keep your branding uniform across every platform. This way, your customers will know what to expect from your business, and thus give you a clear idea of what your business can offer to them in return.
Use Professional Business Email Addresses
An extension to having an online presence, but on a separate league of its own, is owning an email address that’s on your own business’s domain.
Instead of using a generic email address, such as a personal Gmail account, having an address like [email protected] can immediately make your communications feel more professional and established.
This can be particularly useful when communicating with new stakeholders and customers. A domain-based email address makes you look more professional every time you send a message, making it easier for people to remember who they’re dealing with.
You can also create separate email addresses for different purposes, such as sales@, support@, bookings@, or accounts@. Even if all of these emails are ultimately managed by you or your family, having distinct addresses can make your operation appear more organised and structured.
Moreover, setting up a professional business email generally doesn’t require a significant investment. It’s a relatively small expense that can contribute significantly to the overall credibility, advertising, and professionalism of your mum-and-dad business.
Create a Good Customer Experience
At the end of the day, making your business sound bigger isn’t just about having all the shiniest tools in your arsenal. It’s also about the experience you provide to your customers.
As such, always give it your all (or at least have a robust system in place) when it comes to responding to enquiries, processing orders, handling complaints, and following up with customers.
These simple practices can make your operation feel more organised and standardised, increasing the chances of each customer leaving happy with your business and potentially returning.
By being responsive and attentive to your customers, your business can flourish and seem much bigger than it is at present.
We hope that this article will help you create a mum-and-pop business that’s more amplified and loud in its industry and community. All the best in that regard!
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