Like many other small business owners I have been spending the morning catching up with my clients, helping them out as well as following up on new business leads. No matter if you are in the landscape business, the data recovery business, or the iPhone/iPad business, you’re morning likely starts the same way.
Another common thread between all of us is that we often see small changes our clients and prospects could make that would do a world of good for their business. There is 1 HUGE mistake that small business owners have been making that I have been seeing all morning long. It has a really simple fix and it will page huge dividends for them in the future.
Website Owners: Fix this 1 Mistake, Get More Business!
Fix: Use your business email!
Let’s use me as an example. I have a professional email address that is bound to my website. It is Ted (at) Charlotte Web Development .com. Of course I have other email addresses, but none of those are my professional email address. It’s simple, but I use it for all of my professional dealings and you should, too. It may be the easiest way to get more business and awareness for your company.
Why You Should Use Your Own Company Email Address
1: Free Advertising
I can’t tell you how many people have come to my website because they see my website URL in my email address. And it isn’t only the people you email that will see your small business website URL. The people you email will forward your emails to other people – especially in business.
2: Professionalism
You’ve made the investment into having your own website. Part of that decision was likely to raise the professional appearance of your company. Every joe-shmoe competitor has a Google, MSN, Yahoo, or even an AOL (loser) email address. Maybe you even have one for your local telephone company. Don’t use them. Let your competitors that were too cheap / unprofessional to have their own website use those generic email addresses. The fact that you took the time and care to bring your business to this basic level of professionalism will raise you in the eyes of your clients.
3: Business Branding
Ok, you may not be as big as a brand as Nike or Deere or Ford. But you will never grow without that kind of exposure. Whatever your core business is, you want your customer base to equate you to that concept. You likely chose your domain name like I did with care to branding, memorability, and possibly even greater search engine results. Every interaction I do with my professional email reinforces my brand because my URL is in it.
Worried about losing your old emails? Not to worry. You can easily redirect your old email address to your new one. Even better, send an email to all of your business clients telling them about your new email address. That will be terrific exposure and is a great soft-sell approach that will probably lead to a sale or two. Why not try it out?
Don’t know how to make a business email work? Call your hosting company or let me know below and I’ll see if I can help out!
