Starting a franchise in a competitive market can seem impossible. A study showed that out of 20,500 small businesses, the four-year survival rate of franchises was 65.3%. Navigating the complex market to ensure your services or product stands out is a gargantuan task. Here are some ways to increase your franchise’s visibility and establish it as a strong brand name;
1. Perfect Customer Service
The success of all types of businesses, including franchises, hinges on customer satisfaction. The basic rule for a business is: A happy customer is a returning customer. Customers will always prefer franchises that meet their expectations and fulfil their requirements.
Training your employees to provide high-standard service, efficiently resolve complaints, address queries, and maintain customer interest is crucial to ensure satisfaction. Regular customer feedback can help you recognize weak areas and work on them. In addition to earning customer loyalty, this generates positive word-of-mouth that boosts your franchise’s reputation, attracting more clients and helping you stand out from your rivals.
2. Figure out Your Unique Selling Point
Establishing a unique selling point (UPS) can be a critical factor in setting you apart from your competitors. UPS is a marketing strategy that informs customers how your business is unique and different from others. A strong UPS highlights benefits you offer that the customers can’t find elsewhere and prevents your products from blending in and going unnoticed. Figuring out UPS for your franchise requires an understanding of the following questions:
- What are the reasons why the customers will choose your business over the others?
- What are the features that are unique to your franchise?
3. Hire a Management Consultant
A management consultant advises businesses on how to solve problems, strategize, and improve their performance. They can organise operations and effectively identify areas that need improvement. A management consultant can offer an outside perspective in figuring out innovative ideas to set your establishment apart from others in your field by conducting thorough research into the franchise’s aims and objectives and analysing data.
Solving complex issues regarding the functioning of your franchise, coming up with potential solutions, and testing them requires a lot of time and effort. Getting help in these tasks from professionals who are trained in this matter significantly boosts your chances of doing better than your competitors.
4. Utilise Digital Marketing
Digital marketing, such as email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media marketing, can help you achieve a wider audience. Leveraging digital marketing will allow you to stay relevant in today’s highly digital age and keep you ahead of your rivals by ensuring greater exposure.
Build an online community by posting regular content and engaging with customers. This will enhance customer service, show how customers respond to new product launches, and help you devise effective strategies.
5. Engage with the Local Community
While it is crucial to stay relevant and cater to a more extensive clientele for growth, ignoring the local community can leave an opening for your competitors to use as an advantage. Actively participating in local events and having special promotional offers for locals can help you assimilate into the community. This will increase brand visibility and help you find connections that are valuable for your franchise that your rivals might not have. A solid footing in the local market will make your franchise more trustworthy and build lasting customer relationships.
Endnote
Starting a franchise might seem challenging, but taking proactive steps can ensure success and keep you ahead of your competition. Staying loyal to your customers, providing excellent customer service, and hiring a management consultant are all ways to g