There are 627,000 businesses formed in the US every year, and most of these are in a small handful of key sectors. So, when starting a business, not only do you have the economy, the customer, and your unique offering to contend with, but you also have several competitors. Standing out with what you can offer using your personality and the basis of your brand could help you not only beat your competitors but solidify your unique product proposition, while also attracting a loyal set of customers. But, how can your business stand out from the crowd in an increasingly saturated market?
Keep Your Business in Check
One of the most upsetting things for businesses is when everything is going swimmingly, and they suddenly begin to unravel because things weren’t done by the book. This could be in relation to social media, where you are investigated for improper data usage on platforms like Facebook, or it could be as simple as not adhering to policies you have said you would, such as environmental ones or transparency around finances.
One of the main ways you can protect yourself and make sure that you stand out through this transparency is through the proper insurances. As online business insurance quotes suggest, this can range from general liability insurance to insurance specifically for professional errors or omissions and even automobile insurance for any cars that your employees might drive. Being fully insured tells customers that if there was an issue, everyone would be protected in order to solve it quickly and efficiently. You can take this further and ensure you are fully accredited in anything to help give you further expertise to help you stand out. This can act as a trust signal to customers about the quality of company you are.
Be Bold
Standing out as a business can mean so many different things, but the businesses that attract our attention the most are the ones who are bold in how they let us know they are there. For instance, Imperfect Foods stands out because they offer the same food at a lower cost just because the products are shaped imperfectly, while the company also makes significant environmental pledges. College Hunks Hauling Junk became immediately recognized as a removal company and one whose playful and obvious messaging sticks in the brain.
Nordstrom, meanwhile, has become a force for good customer service, which helps it stand out through the often over-the-top ways it treats customers. Another such example is Dental Bliss, which changed a standard dentist business into one that resembled a spa, which helped customers place it higher up than a regular dentist and also helped remove some of the unpleasantness of going to the dentist.
Standing out as a business not only gives you freedom to further innovate, but also allows you to attract customers in a more natural way. You can do this in two simultaneous ways. Firstly, ensure that your business is in check and known for its trust signals, such as full insurance and any other licenses it may need. But you also need to be bold and show that you are more than just a company that will stand in line with your competitors – you need to show that you can stand out.
2018 ·