Increasing repeat business with 1 simple step

Today I want to talk about one small step that can increase sales, gain you new customers and increase repeat business…all in one. 



This applies to any type of business but let's use restaurants for this example as this method works so well for them.



Restaurants love to run specials to drum up business. Some also like giving away coupons just as much.



However, most restaurant's do not do this type of promotion the "right way". Let's break this down and take a look at two different types of restaurants:



Pizza shop "A" is running a back to school pizza special all month long. Pizza shop "A" has a billboard sign in front of his building that announces to the world "Visit our website and download coupons for Crazy deals!"



Pizza shop "A" has uploaded some coupons to his website and places a link to access them right on the homepage. "Click here to download your coupons". Customers can download and print the coupons, no questions asked.



Some customers will bring in the coupons and actually use them. The Pizza shop owner gained some business that he otherwise might not of had by offering a discount. The whole purpose of coupons, right?



This is great but Pizza shop "A" is leaving money on the table and passing up a perfect opportunity to build himself a valuable mailing list of customers.



Now lets imagine Pizza shop "B" follows the same steps as Pizza shop "A" but does one small thing different: He asks for a first name and email address before gaining access to the coupons on his website.



After filling out a small form on the website, the website visitor is then given access to a "hidden" page on the website where he/she can download and print the coupons.



By adding this one small step, Pizza shop "B" is building himself a list of people who are:



1. Interested in his food

2. Most likely local

3. Want the coupons enough that they are willing to give up their name and email address. These people are more likely to come in and use the coupons.



Now, Pizza shop "B" owner can take that list of customers and send them weekly emails announcing specials, events etc that in turn will encourage them to come into the restaurant more often. 



With a list of proven buyers and customers of your restaurant, you can expect to send out an email notification about a special you are having this week to your entire customer list and notice the influx of business that very day.



As you can see, this simple method equals more business. While it may be common practice for some businesses already, it is surprising how many restaurants and businesses in general do not capture customer's contact details.



A customer list is an asset.



Capturing name and email addresses on your website is very simple. It involves adding an autoresponder and opt in form and can be installed in minutes.