Forum Moderators: buckworks
Small business this is, nothing big or expensive :)
J.
I was thinking of offering a code for a 10% off your next order etc, which they can give to there mates, or family or anyone that wants to use it.
I'm also drawing up a discount pricelist. If people spend over £30 or something, then I'll e-mail them a link to a 'sub site' that has lower prices but a minimum order of £30 or something.
Like I say, these are just Ideas, don't know if I will do them yet or not.
10% off your next order
I did think about that, but this current project is small enough that it's just PayPal, so not really an easy option.
Coupon is good for a few dollars off, if used within the next two months (or so).
It gets used fairly often.
--Mike
I personally find that some of the store who use the coupons, etc. to continuously bombard me 'after the sale' quickly begin to annoy me and turn me off from buying there again. It's nice to have a gentle reminder that they exist (especially something like a phsical note, etc. sent via regular mail), but I think that some of the 'follow-up' after the sale strategies that companies employ go overboard and I start viewing their materials as spam.
I also view % off coupons as a negative (even though they often work for the short term gain). When I receive a coupon, it makes me not want to shop at a store again until I find another coupon for it. I guess it's just that I 'know' there is a better deal out there so no longer am content with paying the 'full' price.
Just my 2 cents!
"It is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission" just doesn't work for me. However, I know it works for many!
On my site I've coded a "send me your sales flyer" yes/no checkbox on a checkout page that defaults to "No thanks". So far Yes accounts for about 12%, (which doesn't account for those who would like one, but don't bother changing the option, dont' notice it, etc.). Is that good positive response or not?
For the previous 2 years I emailed a newsletter every quarter to each customer, and got 5% or less opt-out, (after the fact of course). What I failed to do was engineer in some way of helping to track referrals from the newletter - like a discount code or something.
I got the impression my newsletter was "valuable" for only a few as I saw no upsurge in repeat customers but who really knows - just because one person isn't ready to buy doesn't mean they won't mention a SALE to a friend! And just as important: without a strong "call to action", you seldom know if a "delayed sale" was sparked from something you did weeks or months ago or not!
It's been a slow June, so I'm open to suggestions!
What do you do to encourage them?
Customer loyalty programs (if that type of product). Volume discounts (annual purchases). Much of what has already been mentioned above. Fulfillment and distribution (if applicable). Warehousing with delayed billing (if applicable).
I think the industry you are in along with the type of product will determine the best method for encouraging repeat orders. Many are still trying to encourage that first order! ;)
Have a 'comments' section on the online order form. This might be a space where people can type in their
special concerns like "Please deliver to the Back Porch" or whatever.
NEVER send a form response to such a client. Instead, take a moment to write an individual response so they know they are dealing with a human and not a machine.
This becomes impossible with huge operations of course, but its a great way to grow a small operation.
- Larry
This becomes impossible with huge operations of course..
Nah, it's never impossible.
We found that coupons with promos like this really spurred some repeat biz:
"Save $15 on your next order if placed within ten days."
What about existing customers? Would you send them vouchers as well as the new customers?
--Mike
In one cas I used to ship several items to a student in the states he would sell to his mates and we'd split the profit.
Found that id sell loads more to his general area than any where else.
