For those of us who have been in this golf car game for more than a few years, we can attest to the massive rate of growth. Overall, the growth of the golf car industry has been positive and has made golf car businesses a lot of money. But, the downside is that there is now more competition than ever. It seems that every manufacturer around the globe wants a piece of the golf car market. The big players have grown bigger than ever and golf car retailers are on every corner. Golf car owners have more options than ever. The question for a successful business has become, “What is your relationship with your customer and how are you “touching” them?”
Staying in front of your customers with a regular cadence is the secret to customer retention. Very few customers are truly loyal in the age of the internet. Your customers need continuous reminders about why they should purchase from you. Here are a few of the proven ways to get and stay in front of your customers.
Social Media
It may feel a little creepy when you search for a new fishing rod on Amazon and for the next month, advertisements for fishing rods are everywhere. Is your internet spying on you? Yes, it is. Remarketing is a highly effective way to continue to target your golf car customers when they are ready to buy. Upload your email list to Facebook and start running paid remarketing advertisements to stay in front of your customers. LinkedIn remarketing is an effective B2B advertising method. Ecommerce stores realize high conversion rates through Buyable Pinterest Pins. Regardless of the platform, use social media to stay relevant. If you don’t, your competition will.
Email Marketing
If you don’t have an email marketing strategy yet, it is time to create one. There is no better way to remind a customer about your business than with a personalized email directly in their inbox. Skip over the frills and send regular, simple, text based emails reminding customers of specials, news, brand new products, etc. Speak to your customers through email the same way you would speak to a friend. And use merge tags to personalize the emails. We all respond better when someone uses our names.
Do you need to start an email list from scratch? Giveaways are a great way to get started. Learn more about setting up the perfect giveaway here:
The Case for Giveaways: How Every Business Can Grow An Email List Overnight
You will thank me later. Email marketing lists can be a business’ most valuable asset.
Phone Calls
Haven’t received an order from a customer in a while? Give them a call. I guarantee the bigger competitors aren’t personally touching customers with a phone call. Phone calls are exactly the type of customer contact that wins your golf car business a loyal following for life.
Customer Loyalty Programs
Go the extra mile to reward your customers for being repeat customers. Creating loyalty programs that offer discounts, free shipping, or a small gift will ensure that your golf car customers come back to you and don’t cheat on you with the next big company.
When industries grow, it is an opportunity for you to rise to the top. Providing a more personalized customer experience will guarantee that your golf car business will ride this wave of growth.
Julie Wilson, Owner of WHEELZ Custom Carts & Accessories, was one of the industry’s first online retailers of golf cart parts, when she founded her business in 2008. Julie’s eCommerce store, www.WHEELZLLC.com remains a popular online shopping experience for innovative golf car parts and accessories.
