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Everyone is hopeful that 2022 will be the year we emerge from the pandemic, and things get back to “normal.” However, it’s important to recognize that the past few years have fundamentally altered the definition of “normal” for businesses and their customers.
Many small businesses pivoted to new ways of doing things to survive and even thrive the enormous disruption of the past few years. Therefore, the top ways to grow your small business in 2022 involve acknowledging and embracing how consumer behavior and expectations have changed.
Customer Service Is More Important Than Ever
Workers are tired, customers are frustrated, and tempers are short. It’s a tough atmosphere for customer service. Businesses that find a way to provide superior customer service amid a chaotic labor market and ongoing supply chain problems will rise against their competition. The key is to hire great people, pay them what they’re worth, and make sure they feel appreciated.
Some Consumers Will Stay Online Forever
Customers have become used to the convenience of ordering online and swinging by a local shop for curbside pickup. Be prepared to make remote sales, curbside pickup, and delivery a permanent part of your operation, whether you run a restaurant, clothing shop, or gift store.
Emphasize Education and Online Events
Consumers and clients are online for more than placing orders; they want to learn something or experience something new. Providing quality content that educates your customers can boost your business in 2022.
Before you launch a frenzied effort to beef up your website with content and events, make a plan. Whether you’re an artisan cheesemaker or a craft brewer, your marketing goals for 2022 should be focused, realistic, and fresh. Take some time to think through ways to build engagement and loyalty among your customers and clients.
Diversify Suppliers
Supply chain woes are likely to linger through the year. If you haven’t already, find innovative ways to diversify your suppliers. You might even consider a new product mix or adding services that don’t require hard-to-get materials.
Satisfy Needs
No matter what year it is, businesses thrive when they identify a need and find a way to meet it. In 2022, your customers and clients will need convenience, personalized service based on their history of interactions with your business, and a sense that you know them. The easiest way for small businesses to determine their customers’ needs is to ask them. Read online reviews and respond to them—every single one—and explain what you’re doing to make the customer experience you offer a better one.
You wouldn’t be the successful entrepreneur you are if you didn’t instinctively understand how to serve your customers and run your business with passion. These top ways to grow your small business in 2022 are suggestions you can add to your repertoire to keep growing and getting better through the year.