5 Trends on the rise for 2022
If you own a small business or are thinking of starting one, it's so important to stay on-trend. Staying relevant helps you attract new clients, and it also helps keep your existing clients engaged and happy. So, what small business trends do you need to be aware of as 2022 approaches? Take a look.
Remote Work
If you have employees, allowing them to work remotely, when possible, is vital these days. The COVID-19 pandemic made working from home a lot more popular, and now that it is more common, the benefits have been realized. Of course, there may be some times when you need your employees on-site, in person. However, when your employees are doing computer work, taking phone calls, and completing other similar tasks, allowing them to work remotely is key. They'll be happier in their positions, which should increase your employee retention.
Touchless Payment Options
If your business does not yet accept payment via Apple Pay and Google Pay, it's time to get set up these services. Touchless payment options not only make it faster for your clients to pay; they also make it safer. You don't have to worry about spreading germs by touching each other's phones or a cash register. You don't have to worry about sanitizing surfaces after every transaction, either! Some clients specifically seek out businesses that accept these touchless payment options, so if you don't get on board, you'll be losing out on sales opportunities.
Subscription-Based Services
This won't work for every business model. However, if it does work for your business model, it is a good trend to jump on. Customers like the idea of paying a monthly fee for ongoing services. If you own a cleaning company, for example, you can let customers subscribe to a monthly plan that includes a certain number of cleanings per month. If you own a brewery, you can have a monthly subscription service that comes with a growler and a certain number of bottled beers per month. It's okay to get creative here, too!
Personalized Services
Customers like being treated as individuals. One of the biggest new small business trends is to personalize each service as much as possible. So, it's worth sitting down to brainstorm ways that you can give your customers more options and more control over what they're receiving from you. If you own a brewery, maybe this means selling craft-your-own 6-packs rather than 6-packs of a single beer. If you own a roofing company, perhaps it means offering more shingle colors. The more control you give your customers, the better.
Influencer Collaboration
This has been a trend for a while, but it's only growing more prominent over time. Small businesses are working with social media influencers to promote their products on Instagram and similar social media sites. Generally, you provide an influencer with some free product, and sometimes a stipend, and they review your product for their audience. It can take some time to find influencers whose followers are within your target demographic, but once you do, this is a really effective way to market. A shout-out or two from the right influencer can take your business from zero to 100 overnight, so make sure you're ready for growth.
As a business owner, it's important to stay aware of small business trends. You don't have to jump on every trend, but by joining the small business trends that are the most relevant and helpful in your situation, you can grow your business and attract new clients. We wish you the best of luck in 2022!
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