There is no doubt that the way the world does business has changed. Consumers are increasingly likely to make purchases online, rather than visiting physical stores.

As a small business owner, you may find yourself challenged to increase sales at a time when the world is turning over pennies to ensure they get the best value for their money. You will need to rethink your business strategy in order to sustain your business through the current economic situation.

This article contains a few tips, beneficial to the preparation of a rural business in 2021..

Get Online

No business can survive in the twenty-first century without an online presence. Customers are likely to search online to gather an initial impression of your business before they consider supporting it. A good first impression is essential, but what is more important is making one at all. Ensure that your business’ online presence allows it to rank with Google and other search engines.

Setting up an individual e-commerce website is a costly exercise, but you can look at other options such as becoming a vendor on Amazon or Etsy, depending on what products you’re selling. If you are operating within a specific target market, such as agriculture, you could place an advertisement in an online publication which your potential customers access regularly.

If you don’t know where to start, it’s always a good idea to speak to experts in the field, such as Mark Lumsdon Taylor. These professionals will steer you in the right direction, putting you in contact with businesses that will assist you with your requirements.

Become Environmentally Aware

Many modern consumers want the assurance that the products they buy are made by environmentally aware manufacturers. Consider your product for a moment. Are the materials derived from a sustainable source? Does the manufacturing process have a large carbon footprint? Are there safer alternatives on the market?

Consumer pressure regarding environmental impact is likely to increase, so you can begin with small changes in your business that may make a consumer favour your product as opposed to that of your competitor. One example is packing items in fully compostable paper bags rather than plastic ones. You can also encourage your buyers to return recyclable packaging in exchange for a discount on their next purchase.

Respectfully Respond

Social media has many benefits, however, it is also a place for customers to share their grievances. Never ignore a complaint. Instead, respectfully respond with a request to engage with the customer privately to amicably resolve the situation and have the post taken down once a solution has been reached. The chances are high that the customer will go back to their social media followers informing them of the positive resolution.

Image by Andril Yalanski from Getty images Pro

In a small business, relationships rank high. So it is imperative to maintain healthy ones with all your customers. Unlike chain stores, which fret missing small sources of income, such setbacks could affect a small rural business adversely.

After Sales Service

Being a small business owner affords you the benefit of being able to engage with your customers on a more personal level. Checking in with them after they have made a purchase can be the difference between recurring business or them buying from a competitor. There are a few ways to follow up with a customer, such as a quick online survey or a simple ‘thank-you for your business’  message.