Photo Credit: http://morguefile.com/creative/kahle
Can your website visitors and customers easily contact you? Is it easy for them to read or leave reviews for your business?
Every website should include the basics: telephone, mailing address, and a way to contact you via email. But don’t stop there! Give customers as many options as you can so it’s easy to get in touch, and allow them to find and leave reviews for you.
Contact Form: Instead of just offering an email address or a click to email link, add a contact form to your site so visitors can type their questions or comments in and hit “send” easily. If your website management system doesn’t include a form script or contact page builder, try Google Docs or JotForm. Both offer an easy way to setup a form and embed it into your website.
Click to Call: If you use Skype or similar services you can add a “Click to Call” button on your site that allows you to be easily connected.
Live Chat: Chat is a popular option for website visitor since they can get immediate help with their question or other issues.
Facebook Fan Page: Create and maintain a fan page on Facebook. It’s the most popular social networking site and allows your customers an easy way to get in touch with you. You can also allow them to leave you reviews and recommend your business to their friends. Be sure not to abandon your page once it’s setup.
Twitter: Many businesses, from large corporations to solopreneurs, are using Twitter to connect with clients and provide customer service. Use tools like TweetBeep, Topsy, or HootSuite to make it easier to watch for chatter about your business. Engage with and respond to comments that warrant attention.
Merchant Circle: Merchant Circle is a social network for local business owners. With it you can create a listing for your business and give customers another way to connect with you and review your services. You can also add coupons and discounts to your listing.
Google Local: List your business in Google Local so you can easily be found in web searches for your business in your geographic area. Your listing can include your business contact information, description, your hours and details, map to your location, photos, coupons and updates, and customer reviews.
Choose the options that work best for your business and implement them so that it’s easier for customers to contact and connect with your business through your website and other places online.
Great ideas – thanks Michelle! I have to say that I also LOVE it when businesses place their contact details on their hard copy / physical products. For example my Naturopath has her phone number on the vitamins etc. that she supplies. That really makes it easy for me to be in touch with her when I want a new supply. Absolutely always make it EASY for your clients to contact you!
Hey Jo, thanks for stopping by! And that’s a great tip. I will have to suggest that to my ND.