One of the first rules any budding marketer learns is that while you can put a positive spin on the reality of a product, initiative or experience being sold, you absolutely cannot lie about it. Not only does this amount to fraud (which businesses can be prosecuted for) but it’s also pointless because clients or customers will figure out rather quickly if such claims are unsubstantiated. All in all, a terrible marketing approach.

But it’s not just direct marketing that can sometimes give a faulty impression of what to expect. Sometimes, your first impression, either positive or negative, can also sway someone’s opinion of you. But what if that first impression doesn’t correspond to reality? Well, if that impression was negative, this can actually be a good thing, because it means the customer could realize they were mistaken later on down the line.

But what if a good impression doesn’t correspond to reality? Well, while you wouldn’t have caused purposeful harm, it can lead to a bitter taste in the eyes of many. While Paris is a beautiful city, this issue has even been documented in fantasizing tourists who visit for the first time and feel shocked by the reality.

Measuring Customer Perception

To first understand if your business impressions correspond to reality, you have to understand what those impressions are. This is where reading reviews, putting out surveys (especially if someone chooses to cancel their subscription or chooses not to go ahead with a purchase), and conducting data analysis can be essential tools. You might realize that one promotion is much more popular than the other, or perhaps you’ve noticed that other stores in your industrial park have a much higher walk-in rate per hour. This can give you the insight to plan your step forward.

Cultivate Simple First Impression Goals

Ultimately, first impressions shouldn’t be that confusing. It’s not a great arcane art you have to learn from old dusty tomes in forgotten libraries, it’s simply about prioritizing a few qualities you hope to communicate and moving on from there. For example, industrial painting can help your exterior building look sharp, present, welcoming open, and also in good condition. A helpful pathway and signage to your storefront works well, also. Promotions in clear view, or popups with an AI chatbot on your website to show your team is only a message away, these things can help, as can simple copywriting and instructions so even new users feel in the loop.

Building Trust & Credibility

Sometimes, your word is not enough. That’s why a handy testimonials page, showcasing the vendors and outsourced services or suppliers you work with, and even centring yourself front and centre in your brand to showcase you’re not afraid of being a public face can all be steps in the direction of credibility. Of course, cultivating referral programs can also be worthwhile too, as they give you the means to let a friend or trusted individual present your firm to another, with those associated benefits sweetening the deal.

You can also look at how to add a live chat to your website, allowing people to get in touch with you quickly if they have any queries. Sometimes people just need a little bit of reassurance after the initial first impression to convince them to use your business.

With this advice, you’re sure to implement a business first impression and make sure it remains accurate from top to bottom.