You’ll rarely get a second opportunity to make a good impression, especially in the business world. In fact, you will only have seven minutes to form a first good impression, according to Forbes. Whether it’s a client visiting your business for the first time or a potential employee arriving for an interview, you should do everything possible to make sure they’re impressed.
It can be challenging to showcase all your abilities in your first meeting. However, making an excellent first impression is essential because it says what needs to be said about your small business. Therefore, if you want to grow your business successfully, you should invest more energy and time into getting the vital details of your business right. To help you do this, continue reading the following tips on how to make a first good and lasting impression.
Tips on How Your Business Can Make a First Good Impression
Invest in a good website design to make a great digital first impression
A good web design is king when it comes to making a great first impression on the web. Because more and more people choose to shop online, it’s crucial that you invest in a good custom ecommerce web design compared to your competitors.
What are your expectations when you visit a high-end restaurant? You obviously expect to get a good experience. Similarly, when potential customers walk through your virtual door, their expectations will change. Therefore, you can use a good website design to set their expectations. Additionally, a good web design will make your business look more credible.
Ensure that people can easily find you
You already know that you need a great web design to make an excellent first impression. However, design alone won’t help you achieve your goal. Ensure that you include all the essential information on your website to make it easier for your virtual visitors to find you. A phone number, address, and directions to your business are essential.
While it may seem obvious, you may focus too much on making your website more aesthetically beautiful and bury the basic but essential information. Therefore, ensure that your business phone number is visible on every page of your website and includes straightforward and easy-to-follow directions. Additionally, your postcode should work on Google Maps, and remember to update your website when you relocate your office.
Explain in detail the problems you solve and the results people should expect
People are now more overloaded with information than ever before. Therefore, you should get the right points to stand out from your competition. On your business website, ensure that you clearly describe the problems you solve, how you can help your audience, and how you make the world a better place.
Potential clients also want to see proof of the results they should expect and how you can get the work done. Humans are naturally curious, and your clients will want to know how you will achieve the results you promise, especially when time is money.
Work on your welcome email
If you use a prospecting tool to generate leads or have a regular email list, you most likely have an introductory email. Ensure that the subject line is catchy to create a good first impression. Your audience won’t bother to read your initial email if the subject line is unappealing. A typical introductory email subject line should be short, original, and compelling. Additionally, you may make your subject line a bit mysterious and lure your readers with a hint or tease.
Make your social media pages more appealing than that of your competitors
There are several reasons why your business should have a social media presence. Apart from the 3.5 billion active social media users, 21% of consumers purchase from companies that they can contact on social media. How can you create a positive impression on your social media visitors? Start by including a profile photo of your business. Ideally, you should get a clear image that will represent your business. This can be your business logo or any other picture. Also, remember to include a short paragraph describing your business.
Avoid using automated phone systems as much as possible
Have you ever been kept in a queue listening to automated messages on repeat? If you didn’t hang up your phone, you were most likely angry. Similarly, your visitors don’t want to be welcomed with an automated phone message when they call you.
While you may think that an automated phone message will make you look more prominent, it actually makes you look worst. Instead of listening to a message or leaving their details for someone to call back, visitors prefer talking to a human, especially one qualified to answer. To give your visitors a good first impression, speak to your staff and shift their mindset to always answer the phone after the first ring to avoid high abandonment rates. Additionally, instruct them to always call back customers who hung up due to frustration and apologize.
Create fresh and unique content
One of the best ways to interact with your audience on the web is through content. You will make a first good impression by posting fresh and unique content on your website, blog, and social media platforms. Apart from making you an authority and increase traffic to your business website, fresh and unique content will keep your target audience interested and engaged. Additionally, you should consistently update your website with fresh content. Don’t upload ten articles on your blog or website and then disappear. This won’t create a good impression.
Make it easy for target customers to make a purchase
In case a potential customer struggles to make their first purchase, they’ll most likely not come back again. Therefore, make it easy for new customers to purchase your products or sign up for your services. What’s more, ensure that your products are easy to use. Whether it’s a software or a physical tool, make sure that your final product is intuitively designed so that your customers don’t have a negative first impression. You can also include “how-to” videos on how to use your product. This is because most customers want to explore products on their own before they seek help. Therefore, if you have created an explainer video, your customers will be impressed.
Invest in a reception area that reflects your business
Although this tip may sound obvious, your reception area is where most first impressions will be formed. You can easily judge a company by the welcome you receive right from the moment you walk in. Encourage your staff to offer a hot drink to visitors as they assist them.
You may want to think twice about outsourcing your reception. This is because your visitors will not have people to welcome them or assist them when they visit your business. A reception area also allows you to communicate to your customers and prospects by displaying your business logo and your achievements. This way, your visitors will know that they’re in the right place.
Keep your place of business well-organized
Is your office tidy? Is your equipment working? Cluttered and disorganized desks can make a bad first impression. Unfortunately, while it may seem like a simple thing, when you’re used to your office, you may not easily recognize those piles of files or phone book copies lying, covered in dust. A disorganized office undermines an impression of competence. After all, how can a client entrust you with their business when you’re not in control of your own office? You may want to hire a professional organizer to make your office more appealing to visitors.
Show potential customers that you care
You will be surprised by the difference those little things you ignore can make. Making just a little effort, like welcoming your clients with a cup of great coffee, will show them that you have made an effort. This will give them a sense of the type of service you can offer them.
Always be professional
As a business owner, you know that you should always be professional, right? You will be surprised by the number of people who always miss it. Contrary to common belief, being professional doesn’t just mean being respectful and wearing the proper attire. Instead, being professional means doing what you promise your clients to do, deliver promptly, being interested, being courteous, and presenting your business professionalism in everything you do. This includes how you answer calls, how you sign off emails, your product packaging, and the design of your business website, among others.
Get it Right the First Time
If you want to give people a good first impression about yourself and your business, ensure that you invest in a good web design. This will go a long way in helping you achieve your goal and increase your online sales. Also, don’t forget to include vital information in your website, work on your social media pages, create fresh content, always be professional, show that you care, and keep your office well-organized.
