subject: How To Maximise Your Unique Online Business [print this page] I have met numerous businesspeople throughout my career and it continues to amaze me that most of them have no idea what makes their business unique. When asked to describe their business, they give a generic answer such as we sell cars, or we do your taxes, and while this is an accurate description of their business, they havent done anything to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
This is why you need a USP there are probably lots of businesses in the marketplace that have similar products or services as yours, so you have to know what makes yours better. Most businesses havent identified their USP, but all businesses have something that others dont and they just need a bit of help finding it.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself that will help you discover your USP:
oIf you were a customer, why would you come to your business?
oWhat do your current customers rave about within your business?
oWhat do you do better than your competitors?
oWhat can you offer that your competitors cant?
Once you have decided on your USP, you need to explain it thoroughly. It is not enough to simply say what makes you unique you need to define exactly what it is that you do better and then prove it, demonstrate it and display it. For example, if your USP is we have better service, you need to:
oDefine it we have a team of dedicated customer service officers, 24/7 customer support, and offer extensive value-adding services
oProve it display testimonials from real life customers on your website that detail your excellent service
oDemonstrate it organise hands-on workshops, information evenings or how to guides to show your customers how much better your service is
oDisplay it promote your good service in all of your marketing activities so it becomes synonymous with your business
As I have mentioned, the importance of uniqueness also rings true with websites. Having a website that stands out from the crowd is often overlooked because many businesspeople think that just having a website is enough. But in todays business world, it isnt there are billions of websites out there, so you need to do something to make yours unique.
Many of your prospective new customers will find out about your business through your website. This means that your site needs to be unique enough to capture their attention and help make the sale because if its not, the customers will simply leave your site and will probably end up buying from a competitor that has a more unique website.
Here are some great tips for making your site unique using IntoResults, the complete Internet Marketing software package that works together with your Bluehype website:
oCase studies you can put together a collection of examples of how customers have used your products successfully and display them on your website
oTestimonials gather statements from some of your best clients that describe their positive experience of working with you and display them on your website
oPhoto gallery an interactive gallery where visitors can view pictures of your products, clients using your products, your staff etc.
oProduct catalogue display your products, with detailed descriptions, on your website so visitors can see your entire product range
oBlog publish on online journal of your business news and events on your website, and give visitors the opportunity to give feedback and make comments
oForum facilitate discussion amongst website visitors on a variety of topics, which will build a community and keep visitors coming back to your site
So my challenge to you is to spend a few minutes thinking about the USP of your company, or the many ways you can make your website unique. These few minutes might just help you generate new leads, attract more customers and create revenue for your business.
For more information on this and other topics, visit www.bluehype.com.au.
