The Top 3 Gaps Small Businesses Need to Close…And Now!

Running a small business can feel like you are at the helm of the Titanic. Small leaks in your small business boat often turning into large gaps that consume all of your time and energy. Small business owners and entrepreneurs should pay special attention to gaps that might exist in their online presence, marketing strategy, and toll free numbers.

Sales + Marketing = “Smarketing”

Too many small business owners believe sales and marketing are incongruous terms. They claim that marketing is the strategy of earning trust and credibility to attract new customers. According to small business owners, sales involve closing the deal and converting customers that walk into their stores into customers who purchase products and services.

The new buzz word “Smarketing” combines sales and marketing into a well-oiled revenue-generating machine. For example, the marketing team of your small business creates the promotional materials that the sales team uses during formal presentations or informal interactions with small business customers.

Content + Images = Value

Savvy small business owners understand the benefits of operating websites and establishing an online presence to attract customers, and how important this presence is today. Yet, far too many small business owners fail to understand that websites that while visual aids and images are great for any marketing strategy, especially since 77 percent of users view web pages on a mobile device, don’t forget about continuing to provide compelling content that ranks high in search engines. This will continue to provide more value than small business websites that are only replete with flashy images.

Content marketing has emerged as one of the most cost effective ways for small businesses to reach a large number of customers. Content that helps attract prospective customers to your small business website helps your audience to solve problems, which builds your credibility. Regular customers will also visit your small business website for promotional information.

Toll Free Numbers = Brand Recognition + Trust

Now that we have steadied the small business boat, it’s time to attract more customers to jump on board. Toll free numbers represent the best way to ensure your small business does not sink into the competitive waters. By creating memorable toll free numbers, you create brand recognition for your small business that sticks in the minds of your regular customers, who in turn pass along your catchy small business numbers to family and friends.

Toll free numbers also build the type of credibility that helps your small business establish trust with prospective customers. The easy to acquire vanity numbers provide the greatest return on your marketing investment, since they are such a cost effective marketing and branding tool, and can even provide immediate results.