Top 10 Ways to Increase SALES in 2012

By Mariah Brown

Happy New Year! It’s time to make good on those New Year’s resolutions and position your company for success in 2012. Here are the Top 10 ways technology can help get you started…

10) Integrate and Automate.
Software that integrates business processes such as financial management, sales (CRM), inventory, purchasing and reporting helps companies accelerate growth and become more efficient. Increased visibility allows companies to manage the entire sales process, as well as forecast revenue potential and analyze sales outcomes.

9) Update Your Website.
When was the last time your website had a makeover? Just like your appearance or the office décor, it’s important to periodically update the look of your website. Frequent postings about monthly specials, new products, promotional events and services keep customers excited about shopping with you. Regular website updates can also improve your company's SEO rankings.

8) Increase Online Visibility.
If new customers can’t find you online, they can’t buy from you either. “In the U.S. over 92% of adults conduct research online before they purchase a product from a store,” according to the IBM study, Meeting the Demands of the Smarter Consumer. With the introduction of Google Caffeine in 2010 and the release of Google Freshness in November 2011, it is more important than ever for companies to keep their websites updated with content that is timely and relevant in order to maintain a high ranking SEO status.

7) Advertise on Social Media.
Social Media has become more than just a trend; consumers are using the networking platforms to voice their opinions on products and services. According to the Q3 Social Media Report by Nielsen, “70% of active online adult social networkers shop online and 68% go to social media sites to read product reviews and provide product feedback.” Advertising on social media outlets is another resource for companies to interact with their clients and influence consumer opinions.

6) Take Advantage of Mobility.
With the increased popularity of smartphones and tablets, the number of customers purchasing from a mobile device is dramatically increasing. In the 2011 Millennial Media Mobile Retail Study, comScore reported that, “13.1 million consumers access retail content via mobile phones, with 8.2 million of those visiting mobile commerce websites.” To get in on the m-commerce action, customize the format of your website so clients can easily access products and services from a mobile device.

5) Make the Most of Customer Data.
If you sell online, your e-commerce website should track all of your customers’ contact data and orders so you can use their information for promotional mailing lists, newsletters, seasonal events, etc. Most websites can even be set up to send out the emails automatically. Contacting clients on a monthly basis is a great way to retain customers and to increase sales.

4) Work in the Clouds.
Don't limit yourself to the office. Thanks to the Internet and mobile devices, employees can work from anywhere in the world. Besides the obvious convenience factors, cloud technology also benefits the environment. The Carbon Disclosure Project, an independent not-for-profit organization with the largest database of primary corporate climate change information in the world, projects cloud computing to “save large U.S. companies $12.3 billion in energy costs and cut out 85.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2020.”

3) Control Inventory.
Product availability is a significant factor in customer satisfaction and loyalty. Using an integrated software system linked with an e-commerce website allows companies to manage inventory in real-time, which reduces out-of-stock situations and increases profitability. Improved inventory control can also help companies reduce overhead costs, eliminate shipment errors and better serve their clients.

2) Improve Customer Service.
Excellent customer service is crucial to increasing sales. For example, the ability of Apple store associates to check out and service customers from anywhere in the store has earned the “Apple Store Experience” its reputation as one of the most effective in retail. New technology is providing companies with many tools to better assist their clients and putting the pressure on retailers to step up their game.

1) Sell Online.
To be successful in today’s marketplace, it is important to offer your products and services online. In the Q3 2011 U.S. Retail E-Commerce Spending Report, comScore stated that “online retail spending reached $36.3 billion for the quarter, up 13% versus year ago.” Overall from Q1 to Q3 in 2011, comScore reports that U.S. Retail E-commerce spending has totaled over $111 billion. E-commerce gives companies the opportunity to reach new customers on a global scale while improving convenience for current clients.

About the Author
Mariah Brown, Business Development for Cornerstone Consulting Inc. in Tampa, FL, works with businesses to improve operations, synchronize processes and increase overall profits using integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Cornerstone Consulting Inc. also specializes in E-commerce development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Website design, Mobile Commerce, Online & Social Media marketing, Custom Programming, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud Computing and Hosting services. For more information, please call 813-321-1300 and visit www.CornerstoneConsultingInc.com.