Building your reputation is one of the many challenges that small businesses can face, especially during the first months and years of existence. Unlike your larger, more established competitors, you cannot rely on years of marketing might to attract customers. Instead, you must demonstrate that your business is worth working with, no matter what type of product or service you are offering. So, if you are struggling to build your company and boost your rep, what are your options? Here are six simple but effective solutions to help your business make a name for itself. 

By now, you know that almost all shopping is done online. Even if customers will purchase the product in the shop (if you have one), they will do most of their research online to get an idea of what their options are. This means building a reliable website that is easy to navigate and updated regularly. You can maintain this website yourself, but with so much going on, you may not have the time. To avoid any issues a web designer can help you keep your site up and running, even under heavy traffic. 

If your customers provide information such as their name, phone number, and their bank details, you must give them the confidence that your servers are secure. Although there has not been a significant data breach for a while, this does not mean that smaller branches are occurring unnoticed, and your small business could be a target due to the lack of protection. Therefore, you must work with cyber security firms to keep customer data safe and secure. Not only will this prevent significant losses, but it will also give the customer the peace of mind they need when handing over sensitive information when purchasing a product. 

Whether you build or craft products in-house or use supplies to send to other customers, a reliable supply line is vital. This is especially true when you are shipping items from overseas, which is where a customs broker can come in useful, as they will minimize the amount of time items sit at the border. Even local supply lines demand attention. Although they are closer than international supply options, they can still encounter some problems with motorway delays, among other issues that could disrupt your product development. As you approach the holidays and expect an increase in demand, you must make sure your supply line is reliable. 

As a small business, you do not create as much of a carbon footprint compared to corporations. But this does not mean you cannot think about making sustainable changes to further improve your processes and operations. The modern consumer wants to frequent sustainable businesses, so you show them how you are doing your part for the environment. This could be using recycled materials for packaging or even taking the bus (or walking) rather than driving to deliver items when possible. The more you show that you are dedicated to sustainability, the more impressed current and future customers will be, increasing the chance of more customers. 

Open communication is always crucial in business. The more your customers know about what is happening in your business, the closer they will feel to you, which will improve your relationship with them. For dedicated customers, a monthly newsletter and emails that deliver offers and discounts will be perfect for maintaining a good relationship. You can also use this to highlight any changes or unforeseen issues with deliveries, keeping them in the loop and reducing the chance of any dissatisfaction. 

As much as you want to speak to your customers, you should also listen to them. Consider the most effective ways to get customer feedback and ask yourself how your business can implement these changes to improve the experience. If your customers feel they are being listened to, they will have a better experience with your business, meaning they will recommend to friends, post on social media, and give you glowing reviews when asked to help you improve your reputation. 

As a small business, our success often hinges on your reputation. This is why you must do everything you can to boost your rep and make yourself the place that customers flock to no matter what. Even if your prices are slightly higher, they know that you will offer a more personal touch compared to corporations, which can help you realize your success.