{"id":155790,"date":"2022-01-11T17:33:24","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T22:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalmainstreet.ca\/?p=155790"},"modified":"2022-01-11T17:33:24","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T22:33:24","slug":"essential-tips-for-a-business-owner-entering-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalmainstreet.ca\/fr\/essential-tips-for-a-business-owner-entering-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Tips For A Business Owner Entering 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Store Experience is Key<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

First off, we want to shout out all you small business owners who\u2019ve stayed open through these tough times of COVID-19 in 2021. We know there aren\u2019t many words to describe how difficult things may have gotten. This includes online stores, too; we haven\u2019t left you out! In both cases, it\u2019s essential to ensure your customers fully benefit from your store.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve said it before, and we\u2019ll continue to say it, the ideal experience for your customers will always be convenience. They will always look at what is efficient and smooth. Customers want more personalized services, with the pandemic directly affecting how people shop and spend their money. For example, addressing your clients\/customers by their first name through emails or on social media with DM\u2019s, having personalized ads or sales for loyal customers, to name a few.<\/span><\/p>\n

As most shopping is now online, ensuring your website is personalized for them will make a difference. A staggering\u00a0<\/span>15% of all retail<\/span><\/a>\u00a0sales are attributed to online shopping as we end the year. The new year brings three options: it drops, goes up, or stays the same. Check out the strategies below; they will help you grow your sales in 2022!<\/span><\/p>\n

Share development ideas with customers and key business partners<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the best ways your customers can feel a part of you & your business is by letting them in on some essential things you\u2019re looking to pursue. Send an email to your most loyal customers and say you have something special just for them. Then jump on social media so they can feel included & have their opinions highlighted. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and let\u2019s face it; your business is your baby!<\/span><\/p>\n

Use the environment around you<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Become more interactive with your customers by playing on what\u2019s around you. Don\u2019t be afraid to take advantage of the seasons and changes in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

And, of course, your customer service should be top-tier this coming year. We\u2019ll get into it further below, but you want your customers to give nothing but positive experiences with your CSR\u2019s. They should be solving their issues and keeping them educated on your business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep Customers At Your Highest Priority<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t forget about customer service reps. Behind every great business owner are amazing CSR\u2019s. If you haven\u2019t already, take a look at\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHoliday eCommerce Trends That You Need To Know in 2021\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong>where we give some ways you can optimize your customer service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, your customers should always be first above all for your business. Without them, your business isn\u2019t much, if we\u2019re being honest. As we gear up for the new year, it\u2019s essential to focus on the trends and common remarks your customers make on your websites & or social media. Take heed to what they say often and then do something about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if your customers have been complaining about your website loading time being too slow all year, don\u2019t go into the new year with this same issue. Take some time and resolve as many problems as you can to ensure your customer\u2019s experience with your business is smooth at best.<\/span><\/p>\n

These last days of the year, roll out a poll, ask your customers to honestly tell you what they love about your business and the things they could do without. Some feedback might be hard to take, but remember, those that answer you are the customers you should nurture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not sure if your website has kept your customers at the forefront? No problem, connect with\u00a0<\/span>Bookmark.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0today, and we\u2019ll make sure you ring in the new year with a transformed website!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Focus on Building The Right Team<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every couple of months, you should have something in place to look at your team\u2019s performance. It\u2019s imperative just as you set up ways to change your website and game plan that you do the same with your team and every department connected to your business. For the new year, here are a couple of creative strategies & tips you can implement into your business:<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk about the culture you want to build<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Every morning or before starting the shifts, take time to speak positively of your business and what you envision for it through the members. It\u2019ll become second nature for your teams to perform in it by talking about this every day. Get them excited about being part of the team and the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Give them tasks right away<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

L<\/span><\/strong>et them see from the very beginning that they will always play a role in your business. Start from the very first day you bring them on. Get them engaged right from the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenge them<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Help your employees to push themselves. Set up realistic goals with them and ensure you or some senior members follow up with them. This shows you care about their growth. Though you\u2019re running a business, it should also be a place where individuals can come and create a growing community!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember, there is no \u201cI\u201d in team, no matter how big or small. Consider the words you use daily. Try your best to use \u2018we\u2019 instead of \u2018I\u2019 when talking about your business this new year. If not, it shows that you\u2019re only using them for your own benefits. It\u2019s a common startup mistake to associate yourself with your business because it was your idea. Still, if you want your employees to feel part of a team, you\u2019ll need to include them in all ways you can and intentionally how you speak about it. Lastly, remember they are there for a reason, don\u2019t be afraid to lean on your team and learn from them!<\/span><\/p>\n

Set attainable goals<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, many business owners forget to do this and rush to make a sale or run to do a half-thought-out launch that crashes in their face. This new year is coming, don\u2019t be that business owner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The saying,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cif it\u2019s not broken, don\u2019t fix it,\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0couldn\u2019t be more of a lie. Every year, your business should be seeing a positive difference. One of the most common issues with small businesses is that they get left behind and only realize it when it is too late. So don\u2019t be afraid to change any parts that need to be changed.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, decide to use this tip:<\/span><\/p>\n

Plan the new year in the current year; many future-forward people believe that you should already be in the year to come about six months into one year. In short, we\u2019re saying, plan ahead of time, ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

As January approaches, look back at what you were doing this past January and see what worked and what didn\u2019t. Try a tracking hack as well! Every year you should have folders for the month, and if those folders, you should have a list of sales, what worked and what your customers didn\u2019t like. Nothing too complicated, but just something you can go back to and reflect or compare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t neglect your social media presence\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Social media is your best bet to make it happen if you\u2019re looking to grow your business in 2022. Statistics show that at least\u00a0<\/span>52% of the brands discovered<\/span><\/a>\u00a0every day occur on social media. This is important for a couple of reasons; you could be among those businesses or not\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Social media has taken the world for the ride of its life, and it\u2019s imperative that you join it now rather than later. Try the below tips with social media for this new year:<\/span><\/p>\n