Blog

Archive for December 2019

7 signs your business is staying on top of the competition

7 signs your business is staying on top of the competition

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Photo Direct in Education with Comments Disabled Last Modified December 17, 2019

Sure, you know your business inside and out — but what about the competition? In the everyday heyday of running a business, it’s easy to think that you understand the competition, when you really don’t. So how do you know if your business has a good handle on the competition, or if you need to do more to stand out from the crowd? Here are seven signs that your business is staying on top of the competition.

You know who your competition is. Business that are staying on top of the competition know exactly who the competition is. Follow your competitors on social media, Sign up for their email lists. Visit their stores. Besides just knowing their name, know what their brand is about and why their customers might choose them.

You know why your customers choose you, instead of the competition. Knowing your competition goes hand-in-hand with knowing your customer. Why does the type of customer that your business caters to choose you over the others? Is it price? Brand value? Convenience? High-end service?

You know what the competition is charging. Businesses that are staying on top of the competition are aware of what the competition is charging. Sometimes, that awareness helps ensure your own prices are competitive. Other times, knowing the competition’s prices just means helps you understand why customers come to you. For example, customers may be willing to pay more for a 15 minute oil change, then to go to a cheaper shop that takes an hour.

You are marketing regularly. Businesses that are staying on top of the competition know that their competitors aren’t remaining stagnant. Advertising should be an continuous effort, otherwise, new customers may be shopping at the competition simply because they’ve never heard your name before. Even if the advertising budget is low, you should be making a continuous effort to put your name out there, even if those are budget efforts like social media posts and flyers.

You are regularly looking for ways to improve. Knowing the competition keeps businesses inspired to keep looking for ways to do more. From something as simple as painting the front door to big changes like adding a new product, keep looking for new ideas to stay fresh.

Customer service is a priority. Dissatisfied customers will quickly become the customers of your competition. Businesses with an eye on the competition know how important customer service is and have a program in place designed to assist customers and train employees to help those customers.

You regularly brainstorm ways to bring in new customers. Sometimes, the most competitive businesses are simply the most creative. When was the last time you brainstormed new ideas to bring in new customers, like an event, a contest or a special sale? Businesses that regularly get the creative wheels rolling are often ahead of the competition.

Introducing the Ted’s Photo Prints App!

Introducing the Ted’s Photo Prints App!

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Photo Direct in Announcement with Comments Disabled Last Modified December 17, 2019

Easily print from your phone with the all new Ted’s Photo Prints App!

Download for iPhone:
apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1487870685?mt=8

Download for Android:
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.meamobile.tedsphoto&hl=en_US

Download for Windows 10 Mobile:
windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/lifepics-order-view-photos/c59e432c-c033-e011-854c-00237de2db9e

New HP Designjet Z6810 Production Printer

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Photo Direct in Equipment, Wide Format with Comments Disabled Last Modified December 10, 2019

 

There’s only one original !!

The Hp Designjet 5500/5000.

The HP Designjet 5500/5000 was the most amazing dynamically and diverse suite of printers the back bone and work horse of many wide format print workshops, it set the pace and specification for all those that followed. As significant improvements in HP inkjet printing technology have persuaded customers to move to newer HP printing systems this gem has been superseded.

HP 83 supplies support for Designjet HP DJ 5500/5000 UV Series were discontinued in 2010 and service for these devices was discontinued in 2013. Effective January 1, 2020, HP Designjet HP 83 and HP 762 Ink and Printheads will be obsolete and no longer be available for purchase from HP in any sales region.

Enter the next generation !!
The New HP DesignJet Z6810 Production Printer

Help your customers stand out with high-quality output from impactful photos to canvas, backlits, POP, posters, maps, and line drawings. Avoid rework with consistent, accurate colour across prints and printers, with the embedded spectrophotometer.

Achieve impressive results to meet your customers’ high-quality expectations. Accommodate production peaks and handle more jobs to increase your production volumes.  This amazing printer is available in both 60” and 42”.

HP DesignJet Z6810 Production Printer 42”

From $75.00 Per week* (plus GST)

HP DesignJet Z6810 Production Printer 60”

From $120.00 Per week* (plus GST)

 

Phone 1300 364 817 or Email Us to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply

While stocks last.

*Finance is an approximation

Offer valid to 31st January, 2020.

Customer Loyalty

5 Keys to a Successful Customer Loyalty Program

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Photo Direct in Marketing with Comments Disabled Last Modified December 3, 2019

Every business owner wants to keep customers coming back — and loyalty programs are a great way to do just that. But running a loyalty program can be expensive, and if not done right, may not bring in the customers you’d hoped. So what does a small business need to know before launching a customer loyalty program? Here are the essentials for a successful customer loyalty program.

Simplicity.

Can you explain how your reward program works in one or two sentences? If not, then you’re probably overdoing it. If your reward program is too complex, customers won’t take the extra time to understand it. Keep the reward program simple. For example, you can offer a coupon for every 100 dollars spent, or buy nine coffees, get the tenth one free. By making the reward program simple, you’re encouraging customers to sign up and use the program, which, after all, is the goal.

Speed.

Along those same lines, the loyalty program should be quick — both to use and to sign up for. Signing up for the loyalty program shouldn’t take more than a few minutes at the register or online. Using the loyalty program should be even faster. A loyalty program that delays checkout won’t be successful. Using the program should be as simple as scanning a card, punching a card, or tapping in a customer ID.

Security.

Customers are usually wary about sharing information like phone numbers and emails because they don’t want to be inundated with robo calls and spam emails. Don’t be another reason they don’t give away information. Keep all customer information confidential and use it only for your own marketing — which should be used sparingly. If possible, leave out unnecessary information in the sign-up process — besides making sign-up faster, they’ll feel less wary about giving their information away.

Smart.

Today, loyalty programs aren’t limited to punch cards. If your small business has the resources, smart loyalty programs can be used to track customer purchases. That allows businesses to send out reminders when it’s time to restock an item or make suggestions on other products that customer may like. That data is also helpful for understanding who your customer is and what they are looking for when making decisions on your business.

Relationship.

Yes, part of the reason loyalty programs keep a customer coming back are those rewards — but that’s not all. A loyalty program is a great way to build a long-term relationship with customers. These programs can help show customers what you value and who you are about through the rewards offered and the communication sent to those customers.

Customer loyalty programs can be great for both businesses and customers — but to make the most of a rewards program, businesses need to ensure the program offers simplicity, speed, security, smart technology, and a relationship.