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Step 1
Determine if your clients are consumers or other businesses. While it is possible to cater to both, one is likely to be your principal client. You must know and understand your primary customer.
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Step 2
Research client demographics. Find out where your customer base resides. You must determine age group, gender, income level and spending habits. Research the Internet for insight into a specific demographic group.
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Step 3
Know who uses your website. Encourage suggestions from website visitors. Read every comment and respond to as many as you can. Add a survey to your website to capture as much demographic information as possible.
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Step 4
Identify your primary customers' needs. Discover what goods and services your customers use and where they obtain them. Find out which of your competitors they frequent and why they choose to patronize that particular business. Ascertain if quality or price is a primary motivation for a purchase.
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Step 5
Listen to your customers' concerns. Determine what is missing from their shopping experience. Every customer is unhappy with a business; find out where that unhappiness lies and why. Pay close attention! Customers want to be heard and will switch allegiances to a business that adapts to their needs.
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Step 6
Uncover your clients' wish lists. This is the goal! Consumers will tell you what they want and cannot have. Your job is to determine what gap you can fill profitably. By thoroughly researching your target market, you can gain their loyalty. Doing so will give your business a great advantage over the competition!
