First Impressions – 5 Simple Ways to Enhance Your Company Image

In the business world, image is everything. Having a professional company image helps to build trust with your clients and shareholders, and ensures the future success of the company. Below, we will take a look at several simple things you can do to enhance your company image and clear a path to a long and prosperous future.

1. The Gift of Giving

We’re in a digital age where a huge part of business takes place online. While it’s true that the majority of consumers these days head to the internet before making purchases, it can be very easy to lose touch with your customers and clients using an internet-only marketing strategy.

You can avoid this pitfall of the digital age by adding branded promotional products to your marketing campaign. Aside from increasing brand awareness, giving promotional items helps you connect more closely with your customers and keeps your products and/or services at the forefront of their minds.

2. Build a Professional-Looking Website

As many as 75% of your online visitors will judge your company’s credibility based on your website alone. As such, it’s vital that you have a professional-looking website for your business. If you don’t already have a website or your existing website doesn’t convey quality, professionalism, and credibility, you need to act fast.

You may be tempted to try your hand at website design yourself to save money but know that an amateurish-looking website often gives off a less-than-legit vibe, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and hire a professional web designer to do it for you.

3. Work Toward a Solid Brand

The goal of any company big or small is to establish a powerful brand. The more recognizable your brand, the more successful your company will be. Just look at brands such as Apple, Adidas, and Google. These brands are household names – everyone knows them.

Customers feel safe in buying from the companies with which they feel a sense of recognition and familiarity. They trust that the products have already been tested and approved and that the company will provide them with the best service possible.

Even if you sell a hundred different items, it only takes one solid brand to create a positive company image.

4. Create a Healthy Company Culture

Big and small, all companies have a culture. The company culture refers to the attitudes and values of the employees within an organization. When a company has an unhealthy corporate culture, the workers operate as individuals to achieve their own goals (usually a paycheck or health insurance). In a healthy work environment, however, employees work together as a team to meet organization-wide goals, regardless of their individual gains.

A healthy workplace culture increases employee retention, improves your reputation, promotes productivity, and produces better quality.

5. Have a Professional Place to Conduct Business

The digital age has made it possible for anyone to own a business, many of which are solely online. There comes a time, however, when it’s necessary to conduct in-person meetings, and nothing says unprofessional than inviting business associates and/or customers to your basement for meetings. If your company is virtual, be sure you have a professional place to conduct real-world business such as a serviced office space or rented location.

A positive, professional company image is key to the success of any business. If you are a new business owner or your company’s image could use a pick-me-up, try the five tactics above to create a good impression for your company.