5 Ways Your Small Business can Outshine Big Business Competitors

We’ve all had an older sibling, cousin, friend, or neighbor who just seemed to do everything better than us. Have you ever felt trapped in the shadow of someone else’s success? Often, this is how small businesses feel when competing with large conglomerates and franchises. It’s no secret that small businesses can’t compete with large businesses on a multitude of levels including bulk purchasing and expansive marketing and advertising budgets. But that doesn’t mean that with a little creativity and effort, that your small business must succumb to the “big brothers” of the world. Read on to discover 5 ways that your small business can emerge from the shadow of big business competitors.

1. Personalized Service

Do you want to go somewhere where everybody knows your name? Maybe Cheers was onto something. Going into a small business where you know the owner by name and sight and they know you is a unique feeling that customers would be hard pressed to find in a large establishment. Whether your small business sells products or services, knowing your customers by name and remembering their specific needs, likes, and dislikes shows attention to detail. But more importantly, it makes them feel appreciated and valued as a customer. Most large businesses or chains have dozens of employees working multiple shifts. This means personalized service is hard to come by. Many people prefer patronizing a business where they feel at home and know that their individual needs will be met each and every time.

2. Consider a Niche Market

Large businesses must reach thousands of customers on a multitude of levels. They often cater to larger audiences with a large variety of needs. As a small business owner, you can focus on a specific market and niche based on your customer base. Do you live in a small community where 90% of residents have small children? Try adjusting your products, services, and marketing efforts toward parents and families. If you’re opening shop in an up and coming millennial community where most of the population are single, unmarried entrepreneurs, you can easily cater to this demographic. Small businesses have the ability to specialize their services to a smaller, niche group, which often works in your favor.

3. Innovate and Create

Change is hard. But it’s even harder when you try to achieve it on a large scale. Simply implementing a schedule change, new policies, product or service protocol, or rolling out a new marketing campaign can be extremely complicated for a large business. They need to orchestrate this change throughout all levels and branches of the business, from the CEO’s down through the district managers and everyday employees. Small businesses can more easily use creative license to make and implement changes. They have less ground to cover and fewer branches of the business to reach and train on these new changes. There’s also less red tape in small business, which means getting approval for these changes is much easier, allowing for fresh and innovative ideas that boost business.

4. Quality Employees

Many large businesses have a lot of turnover. Some employees even feel as if they’re expendable. Of course, no employee, no matter the size of your business, is irreplaceable. However, most small business employees feel much more appreciated and valued. They feel like an active participant in the business’ success. This translates to dedicated, vested employees that take pride in their work and the success of the business. When employees feel appreciated, they inevitably work harder, leading to increased productivity, quality customer service, and a solid, positive reputation. It’s sometimes difficult for large businesses to show each and every employee the appreciation and attention they need and deserve. In some cases, employees are expendable and they know it. And this shows in their work ethic.

5. Create a Positive Online Presence

Just because you’re a small business doesn’t mean your online presence isn’t important. The world revolves around the internet and Google. If someone wants to find your business, big or small, you better have quality web design and several social media pages that you update regularly. The difference between a big business website and yours is that you can take the time to create quality, engaging, and informative content. Another perk is that your content will be up-to-date. All too often websites and blogs lose traffic because of dated information or lack of current activity. A big business may create a website and simply leave the same, basic information posted for months, even years! Do you have a holiday special coming up? Post it! Are there new products coming in or special services in the coming months? Update your website and post it on social media. Try opening an Instagram account and using photos and stories to engage your audience. The same personalized care customers find when they walk into your door can also be found in your online presence. Take advantage of your ability to reach customers on multiple levels.

Don’t let big businesses bully you into thinking you can’t match up to them. When it comes to competing with larger businesses it’s all about the approach. Don’t see your differences as flaws but instead find innovative ways of capitalizing on those things that set your small business apart and allow you to reach customers on a different, more personal level