Like you, we hate things being more costly also, but during a cost-of-living crisis, it's more important than ever for businesses to stand out and attract customers. So how can you do it? Try these:

1.     Make a lead magnet to get people to join your mailing list.

 

Building an email list and sending regular newsletters is a cost-effective marketing strategy that can generate sales without breaking the bank. Unlike other forms of advertising, you own your email list and can communicate with your audience directly, without paying for ads or worrying about algorithm changes.

 

By offering a lead magnet that provides value, you're demonstrating your expertise in your field and building trust with potential customers. This trust can translate into increased sales and loyalty down the line.

When you have a list of subscribers, you can segment your audience based on their interests and preferences, creating targeted campaigns that speak directly to their needs. This personalised approach can lead to higher engagement rates and more conversions.

 

2.     Increase online visibility by making content to rank more of your website pages in Google searches.

 

We’re not talking about an awkward office visit from potential clients that once came by, but your vision, causes you support, and what you’re good at – think of what benefits you bring, not just what you sell!

 

By creating content that ranks well on Google, your business can increase its online visibility and potentially attract more customers. When people search for relevant keywords related to the business or their interests, your content can appear in the search results, making it easier for people to find your business and its products or services.

 

Creating content that provides value to users can help build brand authority and establish the business as a thought leader in its industry (see point 4 for more reasoning around this). This can help build trust with customers and potentially lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.

Content creation is also a cost-effective way to market a business, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis when budgets are tight. By investing time and effort into creating good content that ranks well on Google, businesses can potentially drive more traffic to their site and increase sales without spending a lot of money on those traditional advertising methods that we all generally dislike!

 

Lastly, content that ranks well on Google can have long-term benefits for a business, as once it’s created and ranked, it can continue to drive traffic to the site for months or even years to come, providing a long-term return on your time investment.

3.     Make your ugly website look prettier.

 

A website is often the first point of contact between your business and its potential customers. If it’s ugly, unappealing, or overly clichéd, it can turn customers away and hurt your bottom line.

 

By making an ugly website look prettier (i.e., using better images, optimising the layout, and choosing a modern colour scheme), your business can improve its online presence and attract more customers. A visually appealing website can make your business appear more professional, trustworthy, and established, which can help build customer confidence and loyalty – so they’ll come back for repeat purchases.

 

Furthermore, a prettier website can improve the user experience for customers, making it easier for them to find the information they need and make purchases. This can lead to higher conversion rates.

 

4.     Get rid of those clichéd stock images (they’re kinda embarrassing).

 

Using the same old stock images that everyone else is using can make a business blend in with the crowd. By using original visuals, a business can stand out and differentiate itself from its competitors, potentially attracting more customers.

 

Let’s remember, customers are becoming increasingly savvy and can quickly spot stock images that feel inauthentic or insincere. By using original visuals combined with a good narrative, a business can create a more authentic brand that customers can relate to, potentially building stronger brand loyalty.

 

Using original visuals can improve online engagement by capturing the attention of users and encouraging them to interact with the brand. This can lead to increased social media shares, likes, and comments, which can improve brand awareness and potentially lead to increased sales.

 

While stock images may seem like a cheaper alternative to hiring a professional photographer or graphic designer, they can quickly become costly if a business relies on them too heavily. By investing in original visuals upfront, a business can save money in the long run by avoiding expensive licensing fees and standing out from the competition.

 

Remember, you’re selling a real person with a real story, don’t be afraid to tell people about yourself – it’ll inspire trust and reassure people that you’re not a scam!

 

5.     Declutter your website user’s sales journey.

 

A cluttered website can be overwhelming and confusing for potential customers, leading them to abandon the site.

 

By decluttering the user’s journey, you can make it easier for users to navigate the site, find what they are looking for, and have a positive experience. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and potentially increased sales.

 

A cluttered website can make a business appear disorganised and unprofessional, potentially damaging its brand perception. By decluttering the site and streamlining the user journey, businesses can create a more professional and user-friendly online presence, improving your brand perception and reputation.

 
Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author: Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a website design and branding studio that works with brands all over the world, a former Royal Marines officer and former risk advisor to the BBC.

Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), a Guinness World Record holder for rowing over 3500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities!

https://www.hiatus.design
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