Whether you are a business lawyer or a plumber, launching a service business can be challenging. Once you identify your target audience, find investors, and build a business plan, you need to start creating your market.
In this article, you will learn how to get your services business off the ground.
- Identify your Core Service and Build a Brand around It
One of the common mistakes startups and small businesses make is trying to cast their net too wide. Rather than watering down your offers, focus on your core service.
That is easier for you to promote your value proposition and build a memorable brand. That is the opportunity to identify your audience and carve out a brand in your niche. Over time, as your business grows, you can start diversifying your services.
- Invest in Digital Marketing
In today’s hyper-connected digital era, customers are tech-savvy. They use online channels to find new brands, make purchases, and seek help.
That is why investing in an online presence is your top priority. When applied strategically, a digital marketing strategy increases brand visibility and awareness. It helps you attract the right customers and increase your marketing ROI. Most importantly, digital marketing builds trust with consumers and proves you are a legitimate business.
For starters, create a website for your service business. It is the backbone of your online presence. Keep it easily navigable, fast, and user-friendly.
Let’s take the example of AirControl, an AC company Arizona. Their website has a simple homepage that features catchy call-to-action buttons, such as “Call Us” or “Schedule Online.” They have a detailed About Us page, where they share information about their beginnings, background, mission, etc. The list of their services is easily findable. To build trust with customers, they added customer reviews from Yelp and trust seals.
Once you develop a website, you should invest in alternative digital marketing channels. Some of them are content marketing, social media marketing, and email newsletters. They help you generate qualified leads, boost sales, and inspire brand loyalty.
- Provide Exceptional Customer Support
Customer support is the nerve center of any successful service business. According to statistics, 90% of consumers use customer service as a factor in deciding whether or not to do business with you. Moreover, the quality of customer service impacts brand loyalty. Zendesk found that, after more than one bad experience, around 80% of consumers say they would rather do business with a competitor.
As a service business, you should create an omnichannel customer support strategy. It enables you to be available 24/7 across various channels. There are different forms of customer service, including:
- Email support
- Call centers
- Live chat support
- AI chatbots on social networks or your website
- IM apps, such as Viber or Whatsapp
- Responding to customers on social networks
- On-premise support in your physical stores
However, using multiple online and offline customer service channels can be challenging. To get the most out of customer data, invest in a CRM solution.
CRM software integrates with your customer service platforms and brings them together in a central location. It collects your clients’ data and creates their profiles. Via CRM, your agents can handle customer service inquiries via a single platform. Most importantly, they have immediate access to their data and can provide personalized client experiences.
- Hire a Strong Sales Team
Offering top-notch services at competitive prices is not enough to get your business off the ground. To start bringing in customers and generating revenue, you first need to hire a strong sales team. Hire communicative individuals with strong people skills. They are your major profit makers.
Also, provide your sales team with the right tools to increase their productivity. Start with a sales CRM. Similar to a customer support CRM tool, sales CRM offers granular insights into customer data.
When communicating with prospects, your agents know everything about their needs, preferences, past purchases, service inquiries, etc. That is how they can provide potential customers with highly relevant product recommendations and personalize their buying journeys.
Over to You
There are many factors you need to consider when starting a service business, from securing funds to finding the right space for your offices.
However, your work does not stop there. In the sea of similar businesses, you need to build a user-centric business strategy. These tips will serve as your starting point.
Which tactics do you use to launch and grow your service business? We are listening!
