These Strategies Will Grow Your Small Business in the Face of Major Competitors Like Amazon

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Written by Dean Burgess

9/21/2020

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know how popular online retailers like Amazon have become. But as much as these big businesses seem to dominate the marketplace, small businesses are still alive and well. Yes, Amazon and the big box stores present a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t compete. In fact, the wide accessibility of digital resources is great for small business owners. All you have to do is know which resources to take advantage of and the best ways to use them.

Get a Home Office Set Up Right Away

If you’re growing your small business out of your home, it’s vital to create a dedicated workspace that’s free from household distractions. It’s important to design the space so that it suits your work style, which will ensure you’re staying productive and on top of your game. In addition to a good desk, ergonomic chairs, and equipment, you need to consider whether you’ll invite clients to your office. If so, you’ll need another table, chairs, and possibly a mini-conference room to accommodate larger meetings.

Don’t attempt to work from home without a reliable and speedy internet connection. Ultra 5G Wideband is now available with speeds up to 25 times that of 4G networks, which will allow you to run your business effectively and respond to customers promptly.

Build Knowledge with the Right Resources

Starting an e-commerce business is easier than ever, but you shouldn’t assume that running your business will be just as easy. That’s not to say that running an online business is a monumental task, but you can’t expect to be successful if you don’t equip yourself with knowledge about the industry and your competitors.

Find Shortcuts for Increased Efficiency

Speaking of efficiency, boosting efficiency is one strategy that small businesses should adopt. You may not have the staff or sophisticated operations that big businesses have, but there are all kinds of shortcuts that help you accomplish more with the resources you have.

For starters, you could connect with an experienced consultant to improve efficiency in your business. If your systems are outdated or you need help implementing the newest technology, ADVUE Consulting can get you on the right track so that your company can optimize productivity.

Another example of how you can boost efficiency is to outsource part of your to-do list. You may not be ready to hire permanent employees, but online job boards make it easy to recruit freelancers just for the jobs you need most, even if they’re just short-term projects. These could be projects like hiring a graphic designer to get your website up to snuff or hiring a virtual assistant to take care of administrative tasks, leaving you more time to focus on what your business needs for growth.

Compete Where You Can

Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what your business needs for growth. Each business is unique, but the general rule in e-commerce is that growth comes from giving customers a reason to choose you over the competition. One way to compete is to find your own way of matching the big guys’ shipping policies. For example, Startup Nation recommends shaping how customers perceive speed by sending a shipping confirmation ASAP.

Another surefire way that small businesses can compete is on customer service. Besides doing things like responding to customers quickly and creating relationships, you can also find creative solutions that distinguish your service from the impersonal experience of shopping with giants like Amazon. For example, Bluegrass Express explains that businesses that offer same-day delivery improve customer loyalty and brand reputation. Or take the suggestion of Dreamhost and start a subscription service similar to Amazon Prime. Today’s online shoppers love taking part in programs that reward loyalty, and the reward for you is an increase in repeat customers.

Even in the digital age, the truth is that people still want good old fashioned customer service. While you may think of digital communication as impersonal, these examples show how small businesses can use digital tools to deliver an experience that’s more personalized. Distinguishing your business is where growth comes from - and it’s a major advantage that any small retailer has over Amazon!