In this day and age, it’s sink or swim. If you don’t make your business stand out from the crowd, or give it a point of difference to make people pay attention, then you aren’t going to be one of the few that succeed. When the time comes to futureproof your brand and business, make sure you have tried these five suggestions below.

Build a Strong Brand

Imagine being one of many businesses like yours? You don’t have to imagine, that’s the reality for many. Think about grocery stores, for example. That’s why one of the best things you can do to stand out is to build a strong brand. If you don’t know how to, seek help. In my previous life working at a top branding agency in Melbourne, I lost count of the number of clients that came to us in utter desperation, as they’d spend all their money on product development, staff, infrastructure and other business requirements, but had neglected to invest in building a vibrant brand. Without a clear identity, they just didn’t resonate with potential clients, despite, in many cases, having excellent products or services. Don’t get caught in that same trap.

Offer Exceptional Customer Service

According to recent research, luring new customers costs up to 25 times more than retaining existing clients. Stand out from the crowd merely by making your customers feel special and appreciated. Better customer service can see gains in revenue of up to eight per cent more than the average business in your same market. Customer service matters more than you think, with negative reviews due to poor customer service spreading quicker than ever.

Find Out What Your Customers Want

Often, the only way you know your business is not doing well is when your profits drop, and customers are not coming through the door. By this point, you are in a losing battle to get them back. Before you get to that point, always be willing to find out what your customers want. Never underestimate the power of a customer survey not only to measure their past experiences but to find out how you can do better. An anonymous survey is one of your most valuable business tools.

Be Social

While marketing campaigns are brilliant for communicating your message, so is getting involved in social campaigns. Make your company one that cares. Get your company involved in charity events that can bring about new, long-lasting relationships as well as new customers. People like to see that you are there for the community not only your bank balance. What’s more, even if you get involved in philanthropic pursuits knowing it’s about giving, not receiving, you end up with a far better reputation, which can ultimately help grow your business.

Offer Incentives

Everybody loves free stuff, it’s a fact. Use human psychology to your advantage and lure customers in with the promise of free goodies. It doesn’t matter whether you’re offering buy-one-get-one-free, a free gift with every purchase, or a sample - they will all go a long way to help your business stand out from the crowd. Often, it can be about getting customers in the door once, and you can then use your other newly-learned techniques to keep their loyalty for life. While it might cost you money in the beginning, it can help you make a lot more in the long run.

There is no denying that creating a business that stands out is a long and slow process, but it’s a worthwhile one. Get help with your brand, deliver exceptional customer service, explore your many options, and let the successes roll in.