How To Get More Customer Referrals

You want more business, That’s a no-brainer! Though most of us think that the only way to get more business is through paid advertising, this is not entirely true. The truth is, even in this electronic age we live in, word of mouth advertising is worth its weight in gold. That’s why online reviews are outstanding. 97% of all consumers read online reviews before making use of services they need; it is highly likely that most of the reviews will be from strangers.

Referrals from friends and colleagues are even more important, they convert 30% more often than referrals that come from strangers. That is why you need to set up a referral program to encourage customers to send their friends to you. However, the question is… Won’t happy customers refer their friends to you? Some might, but most of your customers won’t. You need to ask them. Referrals can come from many places.

Here is a list of the most likely sources:

1. Existing customers and clients are a great source of referrals. They know you and your products, and that makes them uniquely qualified to point new customers your way.
2. Employees are another potential referral source. Like your existing customers, they know your company and what you do. They can also provide potential leads when asked for information about the products and the benefits of working with you.
3. Vendors may be another source of referral business as they know what it is like working with you. It does not necessarily mean that their experience must be on the same side of your business as what your customers would see, they can still talk about the products and services you offer knowledgeably.
4. Joint venture partners are another potential source of referrals. These arrangements may have a quid pro quo element to them, but they can be beneficial.
5. Finally, and do not forget about your friends and family. Even if they are not your customers, they can still point new customers in your direction when referrals are asked for. The method you use to attract more referral business is similar regardless of the source you focus on.

#3: Update Your SEO

Optimizing your website takes times, which is why a lot of companies do it only when they notice a big drop in their traffic. If it’s been a while since you updated your SEO, then it’s time to take another look. Why? Because Google updates its algorithm constantly.

The most important update in the past few years has to do with relevance. Google Rank Brain, which is now part of Google’s search algorithm, prioritizes sites based on their overall relevance to the term being searched. It measures bounce rates and the amount of time visitors spend on your site. The longer you can get them to stay – something that’ll happen if you provide tons of relevant content – the better off you’ll be.

#7: Update Your Call to Action

Calls to action are everywhere – in every marketing email you send and on every landing page you create. However, not all CTAs are created equal. And if your calls to action are outdated and tired, then you might be losing subscribers and leads as a result.

Think about the opt-in form for your mailing list. What’s the call to action? Does it just say SUBSCRIBE or SUBMIT? If it does, then it’s time to rethink it and give it some spice.

I’m a big fan of calls to action that emphasize something positive about subscribing to your list. Here are a few examples:

• Yes! Send me special offers each week!
• Download our “10 pounds in 10 Days” Workout for FREE!
• I’m ready to save 20% on my car insurance!

I also like the idea of using humorous opt-outs because I think they nudge people in the direction of subscribing. Here are some opt-outs that could pair with the calls to action above:

• No, saving money is not for me
• I don’t need any weight loss help – my abs are perfect.
• No thanks, I’d rather pay more somewhere else.

Those are goofy, but I’ve seen a lot of opt-in forms with similar wording – and for good reason. They’re effective. Let’s face it, it feels a little silly to click a button to say you don’t like money.

Your website might be out of date, but it doesn’t need to stay that way. The 7 quick fixes here will help you give your Google rank a boost and ensure that you’re not missing out on leads and subscribers because your website’s more vintage than modern.