Relocation is a momentous step for any company, whether you're chasing new talent or markets or expanding your operations. However, moving can be challenging, and you may forget to communicate with the most critical stakeholders. It is easy to lose customers before, during, and after a move because of downtime. A relocation strategy must focus on effective communication and strong leadership for a seamless moving process.
What Is the Need to Get Connected with Customers when Relocating?
Your business will experience downtime during relocation, making it hard for customers to access your services. Moreover, your employees will find it hard to work while office equipment is moved and set up. Therefore, you need to reach out and engage your clients during the move to ensure they stay loyal.
Small businesses can find it challenging to get in touch with customers during the relocation if they don't have a lot of customer information. However, you can incorporate a sale promotion strategy by distributing flyers with customer invoices or receipts, sending website notifications, or using social media.
How Can You Connect with Customers: Before, During, and After the Move?
Maintaining productivity is challenging when moving, as employees will be working in a disruptive environment. If the move is not planned correctly, you can have damaged client relationships and missed deadlines. For example, customers can be frustrated if they cannot make orders and look for other options. You can connect with your clients using the tips below:
1. Strong Communication
Effective communication is critical during a business move, both internal and external. Small businesses often place relocation signs on their front doors detailing the relocation date, new address, and contacts. This old-school technique is also helpful at promoting grand opening ceremonies. However, large businesses with many customers need more robust communication channels.
You can place banners and notifications on the company website. Provide all necessary details, like relocation dates, and include a link to your contact page for subsequent inquiries. If you get many online orders, send out email notifications that inform current and potential customers of your move.
Press releases are also valuable tools during relocation, where you include the new business address, email, and contact number. Additionally, post videos and images on social media to involve your audience in the moving process. Share the reasons for your move and send regular updates.
2. Notify Priority Customers of Disruptions Personally
High-value clients respond well to personalized communication, and you should let them know of your relocation plans before, during, and after the move. Reach out via email, telephone calls, or face-to-face if possible.
A relocation sale strategy must focus on informing valued customers of the reasons for the move. It helps to reassure them that you'll provide the same quality of services they expect once you're fully relocated. Consider giving discounts to make up for the disruption and ask about any concerns they have.
3. Move Carefully
Relocating a business is more challenging than moving a house. Depending on your business, you may have expensive equipment and fragile assets that need extra care. You require plenty of packaging material to cushion computers, laptops, and other electronics from damage. The paperwork also presents all sorts of challenges, and you can easily end up with lost invoices and other documentation. Use well-labeled binders and folders to organize all essential documents.
A reputable commercial mover will transport your business assets carefully to your new quarters. Business movers have the equipment and expertise to protect office furniture, technology, and specialty items during packing, loading, and unloading. What's more, commercial movers are insured.
4. Be Aware of Market Shifts
Moving demands some adjustment, especially if you relocate to a new region. To start, conduct market research to understand the demographics of the new location. It can take a while to get clients in a new city, and you need to take time to get a feel of the local market.
For example, some cities push a work-life balance, while employees work late nights in others. If employees showed up with suits in your previous location, you might need to adjust if you move to a city where people work in jeans and polo shirts. Study the local's customs to settle in quickly.
5. Look for New Customers
Attracting new customers is a top priority after a move to improve your financial health. Start by understanding the new demographic and tailor your marketing strategy accordingly. For example, if you have shifted your restaurant from a trendy part of town to a suburban neighborhood, your promotional campaigns should focus on families.
A grand opening is always a good move to attract new customers. Invite high-profile community members, like the mayor and local business officials. Additionally, update your new business information online to help new customers find you.
6. Add a Live Chatbot to Your Website
Companies are increasingly using chatbots to provide positive customer experiences. The major advantage of chatbots is that they're available 24/7, and they'll serve customers during your move.
Modern customers favor businesses that respond to their questions quickly. When moving, your employees will be unable to answer customers' concerns effectively, and you can lose clients. Chatbots provide customer assistance and enhance customer engagement.
What Else Can You Do to Make Cordial Connections with Customers When Planning a Move?
1. Share the Reasons for Your Move
You can share the excitement for your move with your customers. Let them know why they'll like your new space because of benefits like more parking or an Instagram-worthy setup with good lighting. Informing your customers makes them feel like they are a part of your company's growth.
2. Ask for Customer Reviews by Writing Them Personally
Personalized reviews stand out and assure prospective customers of the quality of your services, which is why you should solicit them from satisfied customers personally. Place the reviews prominently on your website and social media.
3. Make the Relocation a Big Deal
If you want your clients excited about your move, you should make it feel like big news. Keep posting updates to ensure your customers don't forget your moving plans.
In Conclusion:
Relocating your business can be a great time to connect with current customers and court new markets. However, the relocation process can be stressful, and you may forget to update essential stakeholders like vendors and customers. Strong communication across multi-channels is necessary to inform and engage your clients, and you can post updates on social media and the company website. Additionally, a commercial mover minimizes business downtime and restores customer access. Talk to our team at Sunshine Movers for more business move tips.
