7 Big Ways to Make Small Businesses Stand Out

The online world is full of startups that launch every day, so staying ahead of the competition can be challenging. It's no longer enough to sell your product and expect repeat customers and continued growth in your business without taking extra steps. These days, you have to really think outside the box to set yourself apart and shine.

Starting a new company is often expensive, but don't worry-you don't have to spend a lot to stand out once you're established. From handwritten thank-yous to attractive packaging and thoughtful extras, there are lots of inexpensive ways to make your business seem unique while making your customers feel special. Creating a bond with your clientele will give them a reason to not only return but to also spread the good news to their friends. When you don't have a lot to spend, going organic is your friend.

Thoughtful Thanks-yous
I've received a couple of thank-you notes from businesses and have never forgotten them. Handwritten notes are a dying art, and people really appreciate the time taken in creating something small but so thoughtful. Whether it's a thank-you sent with your product, a birthday note or a Christmas card, making that connection through a handwritten hello will add a personal touch and go a long way in making your business unforgettable.

Pretty Packaging
If you have a spare minute, that's all it takes to make your product memorable by wrapping it in an attractive package. Whether you wrap your product in sturdy craft paper or simply stamp it with a well-designed logo, making your presentation a pretty one will add so much to your delivery.

Small Surprises
I remember going to a café more than 10 years ago that served cucumber water. Absolutely nothing about the place was worth remembering apart from that one small but special detail. You can't serve refreshments to your online customers, but you can be just as creative. I have a friend with an online vintage shop who often sticks a small surprise gift with her orders, like a CD of vintage songs or a vintage postcard. The gesture has done nothing but good for her business. Stand back and figure out what small somethings you could offer your clientele. Any unexpected act of kindness will have customers old and new knocking down your virtual door.

Reaping Rewards
While you certainly aren't expected to have a Subway-style punch card for your online business, you can still stay ahead with customer rewards. Giving back lets your audience know you are listening and that you want to keep them as your business grows. When you get a new customer, why not send an automatic message to them offering a 10 percent discount on their next purchase? Or let your clientele accrue points to use toward a voucher or a free product.

Socially Speaking
Speaking of rewards, utilize your social media presence (you do have a social media presence, right?) to both reward customers as well as create a sense of community. Offering discounts, vouchers, and free stuff for "likes" and retweets make people smile while you grow your business. Reach goals by offering a gift for your 500th Facebook like, or keep your audience engaged with a Twitter contest. Social media easily keeps the conversation going and is a great place to conduct customer service, too. It's an increasingly useful medium, and if you're not keeping up with it regularly, you're falling behind. If it gets to be too much, check out sites like Raven Tools that will help streamline the output and keep some content automated. Don't depend on it 100 percent, though, because you'll want to engage personally, too.

Blog
Keep up the conversation on your own blog, too. Post tutorials, articles about new products, and interesting news tidbits relating to your field. Be sure it's always up-to-date and full of interesting anecdotes people will want to share. Research competitors and think about what kinds of information you have at your disposal that no one else is sharing. This is a great place to establish your authority on a subject. With regularly posted articles sharing your niche expertise, clients can naturally find you and keep returning for your wealth of knowledge.

Be Consistent
So many businesses fail by not following the simplest rule of staying consistent. If you really want to stand out, this is the best way to do so. Shipping items within one to three days, responding to inquiries ASAP and keeping your stock up-to-date are just a few ways in which you can increase your likeability by being a quality seller at all times. Nothing is more off-putting than a company that doesn't care about professionalism.

Have you discovered any unique ways to make your small business stand out? Share your ideas in the comments!

About the author

Diana Gomez, Marketing Coordinator at Lyoness America, is instrumental in the implementation of business marketing strategies for USA and Canada. Lyoness is an international shopping community and loyalty rewards program, where businesses and consumers benefit with free membership and money back with every purchase.

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