4 Ways To Help Your Business Stand Out to Customers

No, it’s not your imagination: Standing out as a business is much harder than it used to be. Today, nearly every industry has become crowded, making it feel like a struggle to be seen. However, you can differentiate and expand your reach by implementing just a few creative strategies.

Differentiating will give your business a competitive edge in several ways. First, you’ll position yourself to win more sales and reach your financial goals. Secondly, you’ll have a better chance of boosting your network of repeat customers. As a result, your lifetime customer value metrics and other KPIs should increase. Third, you’ll probably find it less challenging to attract great employees. And when you have a roster of superstar players, you can achieve more — even if your company is on the smaller side.

Several basic methods can ensure your business stands out. These include having a responsive website, staying active on social media, and making data-driven marketing decisions. However, implementing extra techniques will shine more light on your brand and offerings.

1. Roll out the welcome mat.

Your customers are the lifeblood of your company. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to stay afloat. With that in mind, why not go the distance to make your business as customer-centric as possible?

Let’s say you have a brick-and-mortar store with some land around it. Adding playground equipment to your retail space sends a strong message that you’re dedicated to fostering a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. As AAA State of Play explains, you can also use your commercial playground installation to showcase your support for environmental stewardship.

Innovative production processes can make Many playground elements from recycled materials. Your willingness to promote sustainability and celebrate green spaces could be the differentiator your competitors can’t match. Going above and beyond for your customers will give them more of a reason to spend money with you. Plus, you could end up making your store or headquarters a destination spot and a place to shop.

2. Share your insider knowledge.

Your team is made up of a group of experts. Though you don’t want to give away all your trade secrets, you shouldn’t keep the bulk of your knowledge to yourselves. Instead, share select pieces of what you know in the form of expert content.

For example, perhaps you’re a seller of exceptional cookware and bakeware. Rather than assuming that customers understand what makes your products superior, create valuable content that educates the public. Your content could include anything from videos and how-to guides to social media images and short reels. You might even want to send customers your favorite recipes to try.

When you’re generous with your insights, customers begin to see you as a trustworthy source of information. Over time, your “trust currency” will rise with buyers, setting your business apart.

3. Invest in unbelievable (and authentic) customer service.

When your company’s customer service is something special, people will naturally talk about you. When they do, their praise and delight will send a clear message to other consumers: Your business deserves consideration.

Of course, providing exceptional customer service starts by removing any friction from the returns process, giving customers self-service mechanisms with the assistance of AI chatbots, and hiring human support agents. Once those elements are in place, you can begin to add other special customer service “gems” into the mix.

If you’re not sure where to begin, investigate companies known for their customer service, such as Zappos. What makes Zappos remarkable is its commitment to testing the limits of how far support can go. For instance, during the pandemic, Zappos’ customer service team members accepted calls from consumers who just wanted to chat. It was an outstanding move that earned Zappos press and cemented the brand’s focus on customers.

4. Align your business with a social cause.

Yet another way to get people talking about your business is to donate to a charity or social cause. By aligning your brand with a nonprofit, you give customers one more reason to say, “That’s the place that deserves my business.” At the same time, you raise awareness for a deserving organization.

To pick a charity or cause, refer back to your mission and vision. Ask yourself what types of nonprofits make sense based on your company’s culture, ethos, and even origin story. It’s not enough to sponsor an organization “just because.” You need a match that feels intuitive. A pet store might want to support a series of local pet adoption service providers. Similarly, a restaurant might contribute a portion of its proceeds toward a group that feeds homeless individuals.

As part of your “How can we give back?” brainstorming sessions, encourage your team to push the envelope like TOMS did. When the footwear company first entered the scene, it introduced a revolutionary One for One® model. Essentially, the company gave away a pair of shoes for every pair sold. The company’s radical approach to corporate philanthropy drove publicity, goodwill, and sales.

Competing in a busy, modern marketplace might be tougher than it used to be. However, it’s still possible to cut through all the clutter. Just set time aside to do things a little differently from the other businesses in your field. Your customers will notice — and stop by to see what all the excitement and fuss is about.