How to Bring Your Service-based Business Online and Reach More Customers

As a modern-day service provider, being hyper-aware of the importance of resilience and embracing change in your business structure is table-stakes. And if you haven’t made the leap yet, one of the biggest changes for your business – and growth opportunities – is jumping onto the world wide web and setting up your business online. 

The web offers a vast platform to connect with a broader audience, enhance customer experiences, and ultimately boost your business's reach and revenue. Whether you offer consulting, coaching, freelancing, or any other services, exploring these steps will help to bring your service-based business online and tap into a world of new opportunities. 

Expand and diversify your online services

From gyms to salons, from accountants to therapists - and everything else in between –there are opportunities to bring your services into the digital space: scheduling online appointments or curbside pickup, offering virtual shopping experiences, having one-on-one virtual private sessions. There is a wealth of resources online that can now make all of this a possibility, and, depending on the service, you don’t have to be a tech expert to set it all up. No matter what you offer, there are opportunities to run your business online and make it feel just as personal and important. 

Up the ante with virtual learning

Take the educational approach and give customers something to consume. Correspondence is not a new concept, but online learning has grown in popularity over recent years. People love to learn and be hands-on and really enjoy the experience of creating, doing, and discovering new skills all from the comfort of their home. 

There are so many options to choose from, and it’s important to have fun with it and get creative when thinking through an approach to online learning. Here are some tips to designing a virtual classroom: 

• Develop an online course: Organize the content and draw out an outline, then build a lesson plan. Make the course interactive and offer a certificate of completion at the end to really drive interest and add a layer of accomplishment for your customers. 
• Step-by-step video tutorials: DIY projects are all the rage, and your customers appreciate the visual element of learning to really get a sense of how things are done, so teach clients how to do what you do from the comfort of their homes. This can also be a handy tool time-and-time again when they need to reference back to certain elements of the task. 
• Downloadable products: From music to digital art, eBooks to templates and more, there’s no limit to what you can put out there. Let people download your products and services, and without inventory to worry about, this can be a major source of additional revenue if you decide to offer this at a price. 
• Virtual appointments: Offer classes, therapy sessions, one-on-one training sessions, personal shopping experiences, and more that can elevate your customer service and keep your business going strong. The ability to schedule and manage your appointment-scheduling is easier than ever with online tools and providers having plugins to help.  

Remember: You’re the expert, so give others the chance to learn something valuable and develop new skills. They’ll reciprocate by supporting your business and will build clout and customer loyalty. 

Create a professional website with Moneris Online

Going digital doesn’t have to be scary. It also doesn’t mean you’re turning your business completely online. Going digital gives your business an opportunity to expand to a space more accessible to those outside your immediate area. Without physical limitations, your services can go further than ever before.

Step 1: Build a website with Moneris Online

Elevate your business with Moneris Online, an all-in-one ecommerce solution. Manage your business, expand your reach, and grow your client roster within one tool. With a secure checkout page, you’ll be able to help increase profits and drive more purchases without having to worry about how to accept payments online.

Note: Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and is optimized for search engines to improve your online visibility. Partnering with a company like Moneris & Wix can ensure your website is set up in a way that is easy to use for your customers. 

Step 2: Set up appointments with Reservation Module

Simplify how appointments are made with the online reservation module. Clients can book appointments themselves (based on your availability) directly on your website and pay right away, whether it’s a virtual lesson or in-person service. Think of it as a personal assistant for your schedule – only better.

Setting up the reservation module is quick and easy. Plus, it’s customizable to your business’ needs.

Setting up the reservation module is quick and easy. Plus, it’s customizable to your business’ needs.

Add: Enable the Reservation Module within your website builder tool. 

Customize: Choose your preferences based on time slots and intervals, products, or services, or anything else you want – it’s up to you! 

Manage: Watch your schedule fill up, and manage, edit, or change bookings right from your dashboard. 

It’s that simple. Once you’re set up, you simply sit back and watch customers roll in. 

Fine-tune your business to serve more customers 

Managing the community that you’ve worked so hard to build is one of the most important aspects of running a successful business. Make time to nurture and grow your community because these relationships are essential for retention, growth, and success. 

Keep communication open

Be consistent with your online presence. Make sure your website is always up to date with the most accurate information, especially when it comes to inventory, changes in business hours (don’t forget holidays!), announcing new content, or teasing a sneak peek. If your customers are asking questions, be available to answer them as quickly and as accurately as possible. Efficient and friendly customer service is what will make you stand out and outperform your competitors.

Use social channels to keep your audience engaged

Social media is one of your strongest marketing tools. Once your website is up, running, and set up with Reservation Module, share the news with the world. Bring your online community together and spread awareness about your products and services. Keep things fresh and relevant, update your feeds, and engage with your audience. If you create a course or online tutorial, have open slots for appointments, or if you’re having a flash sale on must-have products, make sure you’re keeping your followers in the loop.

Add testimonials & FAQ pages

When was the last time you made a purchase without researching it first? People spend a lot of time assessing businesses, reading reviews, and asking questions on different forums. Jump on the opportunity to add testimonials on your site so potential clients can see you’re a trusted, reputable company from other customers. Positive feedback from satisfied customers can greatly influence potential clients' decision-making process.

Pay attention to the questions you get asked like shipping methods, products and materials, and follow-up questions about certain services. Create a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page as the first point of reference for customers to explore. This not only saves you valuable time, but builds a trusting relationship with customers, and establishes you as the expert they can always rely on.  

The information in this article is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be legal, business or other professional advice or an endorsement of any of the websites or services listed.