Your business may be tiny and very new. Uncle Fred might be your Warehouse Manager (meaning he’s the person who stands in your garage packing the orders) and Marketing might just consist of your cousin Jane posting on social media in between uni lectures.
But that doesn’t mean your business shouldn’t and can’t appear to be professional. Here are our seven tips for a professional approach that will stand you in good stead however big and successful your business becomes.
Have an attractive online presence which is easy to find
Not every business needs a huge online presence, but it can often help to have one if you want potential customers to be able to learn more about you without having to go too far.
This might consist of social media accounts, or even profiles on various review sites, such as Trustpilot. Have a think about how you respond to any negativity though – online spats are not professional!
Have a professional email address (if you need one at all)
Your business will almost always need to offer ways for customers to talk to you. If this means handing out an email address, you probably shouldn’t use the one you created when you were a cool fourteen year old.
SeriousProfessional@Business.co.uk tends to be more reassuring than some examples we could think of.
Remember that first impressions count
If you or your employees come face to face with the public, you should all ensure you’re smart and polite. Uniforms may not be necessary or appropriate, but name badges with a job title included are a good idea.
Similarly, if customers or clients come into your business premises, everything should be neat, tidy, clean, operational and fully compliant with health and safety regulations. Trailing cables, dusty surfaces and malfunctioning toilets aren’t going to win you any customers.
Register and advertise widely
At first glance, this may not seem related to professionalism, but if clients see your name appear on local listings, online business searches and in print, it will give your business an air of legitimacy and people will be reassured by their – and everyone else’s – familiarity with your business name.
Provide great customer service
Be dependable. If you offer services, ensure appointments are properly booked, kept and run on time. If you offer goods, make sure you’re offering quality products, deliver them on time and offer swift refunds or exchanges if there’s a problem.
Answer customer queries and complaints quickly, whether by email, phone or via social media. People are quick to take to social media if complaints aren’t dealt with swiftly or appropriately.
Consider VAT registration
While you may not be obliged to register for VAT, registering voluntarily can sometimes be a good idea. It’s best to discuss the implications with your accountant, who will know the ins and outs of your business. Having your VAT number on your paperwork can help with that appearance of professionalism, and some suppliers will only deal with VAT registered companies.
Keep paperwork and payments under control
Send quotes and invoices promptly and be sure to include (and adhere to) a payment terms policy. Make sure you pay your bills on time too; word of mouth can be a negative as well as a positive!
Keeping track of your finances and invoicing doesn’t need to be difficult, and there are free accounting software solutions out there.
Professional, dependable companies will gain clients or customers by word of mouth and online recommendation, and they’ll retain them too. So, make sure your business looks, sounds and appears professional – and that it really is. Happy, confident customers are repeat customers!
