Five Ways Your Business Can Stand Out Online

Does Your Business Stand Out Online?

Are you one of those talented professionals wanting to know how to stand out online and feel good about it? I get it that you don’t want to brag, appear cheesy, or come across as arrogant. Or, maybe you just don’t know what to say.

In this post I’m going to share with you five specific things you can do to help your business stand out from the crowd, while still being true to your values and yourself.

ONE – Share Your Unique Expertise

First, I believe it’s okay to talk about your unique expertise and how you help your clients and customers. If you’re not really sure how to do that, you can start by asking yourself these two questions:

What are your areas of expertise? Your areas of expertise can really be anything you do that helps your clients that they can’t do or don’t want to do for themselves. These services or products can be something simple, like walking a dog. Which one of your services or products do you really excel at? What do you do best? Make a list of all your areas of expertise. What do your customers or clients say about you? What do they like about you?
Which areas of expertise are unique to you? What do you offer to your clients or customers that your competitors don’t? Your uniqueness may not necessarily be the service or product per se, but maybe it’s the method of delivery or the quality of the service of product. Do your best to come up with a least a couple of ideas.

Now make sure you tell the world about your unique talents. You can do this in a way that focuses on your client instead of you. Simply, you are letting your clients and customers know the best way you can serve them.

TWO – Share Your Mission and Your Values

Have you watched the video from Simon Sinek “Start With Why“(opens in new tab)?

In this video Simon Sinek shows how talking about your business from the point of view of your Why is more powerful than talking about what you do or how you do it.

First, I encourage you to take a moment and watch the short video. Then, think about your Why and develop a mission statement based on that.

Finally, share your Why on your website and everywhere you appear online. Let the spirit of your Why guide your business and all your marketing.

Also, your values are usually closely related to your Why. I believe sharing your values is a great way to stand out! Be bold and let your belief system shine through.

If you take a bold stance on an issue, people will remember you for it. Not only will you stand out as unique, you will also attract like-minded people who want to work with you.

THREE – Focus On Your Customer Or Client

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it a thousand times more: Your client or customer is the hero of the story you tell.

Well, how do you put this into practice? Simply, you want to make sure that your website talks directly to your client or customers and not just about you. Can you show you understand your clients problems and goals and that you want to help them succeed?

Also, try to avoid just talking about yourself and what you do. Instead, try to tell the story how you understand what your clients are facing and where they want to go, and that you have a plan to get them there.

If you tell your clients’ stories, you will draw them into your marketing, and they will want to learn more. You will also be miles ahead from all your competitors who are focused on selling themselves instead of helping their customers.

FOUR – Be Human

People crave human connections. So, feel free to share your personality with your clients and interact with them on a personal level. Really, it’s as simple as talking to your customers online the way you’d talk to them in person. There’s no need to get all fancy with your words and content just because it’s online.

I believe the more personal and honest you are the better. For example, I think it’s completely okay to say “I” on your websites instead of “we” when you run your business alone.

Frankly, I see no shame in running a business alone. I’m completely upfront with my clients about this. And, I wouldn’t want to accidentally mislead potential clients about the size of my business.

Finally, using “I” can make it feel like you’re talking directly to your clients and wanting to connect with them. And that’s the point. You want your words to connect with people. Remember, people are looking for connection.

FIVE – Provide Amazing Customer Service

We’ve all heard the golden rule of business, “the customer is always right.” However, I would amend the phrase slightly to add “and the customer deserves to always be treated right.”

I think the way you treat someone is just as important as what you do. Imagine this scenario:

You want a refund for a service or item you’ve purchased. The person who responds and helps you is rude and insults you. You succeed in getting your refund, but you now have a very bad impression of that business. Are you likely to shop or buy there again?

Instead, if the person helping you had been kind, listened and acknowledged your concerns, my guess is you might consider doing business there again.

I believe you can build a business based on good customer service. Good customer service makes people feel valued, and that keeps them coming back.

Share You And Stand Out Online

I believe you have something unique and valuable to share and give to your clients and customers. However, sometimes we all have a difficult time letting our special talents and gifts shine through online. I hope these five ideas will help you make you and your business stand out: