Research states that over 60% of customers expect 24/7 availability. Rising expectations of the modern world mean that running a 24/7 business is no longer wishful thinking but a necessity to keep up with competition. Being available around the clock can attract more customers, increase sales, enjoy better customer retention, increase conversion rate, and improve customer loyalty. However, it doesn’t mean your physical office should remain open beyond normal business hours. Admittedly, a 24/7 operating business isn’t for everyone, but if you’re considering it, the following tips can help make it a reality.
Contents
1. Offer open communication channels at all times
An all-round customer support service is key to keeping your customers happy and satisfied. Open communication channels available at all times will ensure that your customers can reach you with issues regarding your products or services and get their concerns addressed regardless of the time. One study shows that 51% of people want businesses available online to offer 24/7 customer support. It doesn’t mean being physically open; it only means being reachable around the clock.
You can create a current web presence with an easily accessible support team and contact information. This way, customers can reach out for support regardless of the time. Using automated responses can also help, as long as they provide links to possible temporary solutions.
2. Harness the power of SEO
One of the most impactful ways to maintain a 24/7 business is through the right SEO strategies, giving your business continuous online visibility. Start by working with an SEO agency to develop strategic optimization solutions that will keep your website ranking higher on search engine result pages. This way, you’ll attract customers around the clock and increase your chances of being discovered by people looking for products or services at any time, regardless of the business hours.
But it gets better; you can use local SEO solutions to target potential customers or audiences in different time zones, expanding your reach. There’s also a bonus of maximizing your online traffic when you employ the right SEO tactics.
3. Use remote working to create better flexibility
Automated responses and chatbots may not always provide satisfactory solutions to customer issues, and you may need actual human intervention. That is where a remote working schedule may come in handy. You can extend your business operational hours by embracing the flexibility of remote work. Your team can collaborate from anywhere without needing to be in the physical office at odd hours to solve customer-related challenges. This option is super helpful when dealing with unexpected emergencies.
4. Hire virtual employees
An alternative to giving your workers remote working flexibility is hiring virtual employees. They will provide the necessary services to your customers without being physically present in your office. Plus, you’ll use a third-party outsourcing agency, so you don’t have to worry about recruiting new workers from scratch.
Virtual employees can ensure that your business runs outside the regular working hours. All you have to do is equip them with the skills and resources they need to take over when your regular team closes for the day. Consider hiring people from different parts of the world to be a part of your virtual team. This way, they wouldn’t have to necessarily work overnight, depending on the location.
