How the WOOF do dog businesses find new customers?

I’m posting as much as I can on my social media, but I don’t seem to be getting any more clients for my doggy business… HELP!

 

You’re posting on your Facebook and Instagram, keeping people updated about what you’re doing, and what you’re offering, but it’s not converting to booking clients.

 

You’re disheartened and frustrated.

 

Social media is a fantastic and essential tool for dog businesses, but do most of us actually understand it? If we’re honest…. not really! And for those that do, once you get the hang of it, the woofing algorithm changes again and then you have to re-learn it all over.

 

And let’s face it, don’t you have enough to do whilst you’re walking, teaching, grooming, feeding and taking care of our dogs??

 

For most dog business owners, social media is a necessary evil. But WHY, even when you’re managing to put a couple of posts a week up, is your business not seeing the benefits?

 

Let us give you a small insight as to why that might be.

 

Let’s say you have 1000 followers on your Facebook page, that would be a really good amount for a local dog service business.

 

A few of these will be made up of your existing clients – and that’s great!

 

Usually, the majority of the rest of them will be made up of people you know; your family, friends and fans. We know these followers. We love these followers. They like and share your content and “support” your business from the side lines… but do they buy from you? Are they ever likely to buy from you or become a client? Are they what we call buying customers?

 

A buying customer is someone who is looking for what you’ve got. For example, let’s say you had women’s clothes boutique. One day, a bus full of 100 people breaks down next to your shop and they’re stuck there for 2 hours… sounds great right? Well actually, those people who are stood outside the shop might be 100 men on their way to a football match. Or 100 kids on their way to a school trip. They’re stood outside, but they’re not your potential clients. The same applies with your social media following. Just because you have an audience doesn’t necessarily mean that they are going buy what you have to offer.

 

1 buying customer is worth much, much more than 100 non-buying customers.

 

The bad news is that unless you have the time and resource to grow your social media following organically by creating new content, such as useful videos and blogs, on a consistent daily or weekly basis, this audience is unlikely to grow to include new buying customers. So, whilst it may look healthy in number, it doesn’t always equate to new clients on your books.

 

Not only this, but some social media experts reckon that Facebook posts only reach around 4% of your followers… so out of that 1000 followers, it may be that only about 40 people will actually see your posts.

 

Now, that’s not to say that there’s no point in posting good content to your page. It is still absolutely essential, but it really only exists as social proof for potential new customers who already know where to find you and want to check you out (unless you’re an “influencer” type or social media expert).

 

So, let’s talk about new customers. Dog businesses gain a lot of their traction through word of mouth, and honestly, there’s no better way to gain a client. So, it is really important that your social media looks good and is up to date for when one of your existing clients or friends passes on your name to a potential new customer.

 

The problem with word of mouth is that it’s difficult to bank on. You just have to hope that someone raises the topic whilst your loyal client is in earshot. And when they do… bingo! But it’s a case of if and when… and that is something you can’t really influence.

 

So, if my social media isn’t going to find me new clients… what do I do?

 

Did you know that 80% business transactions begin with a Google search?

 

That’s right! Most people type in a search on Google to find what they need before they do anything else… so that’s why being seen on Google is so incredibly important. If a buying customer can find you on Google, you’re automatically 80% more likely to be found.

 

Google is a big place though… and getting your website on the first page of Google costs thousands of £s. We get that. So how the WOOF are you going to grab new customers?

 

That’s where Wooflinks comes in.

 

Wooflinks created a one-stop-shop so that dog owners looking for local services can easily find everything they need in one place. We invest heavily in SEO (search engine optimisation, or where you appear on a Google search) and other web tools, so that when someone types in dog-service-related search terms in your area on Google, the Wooflinks website shows up to help them find what they need. When you join Wooflinks as a Professional Partner, your snazzy, personalised, optimised, and blue-tick-verified profile page will be displayed at the top of the search to buying customers who are looking for exactly what you offer.

 

The customer instantly views your professional page where you display your logo, photo gallery, services, insurances, accreditations, social media links and contact details. They can even send you a DM there and then! And guess what, unlike other well-known doggy sites, we don’t charge you commission on the clients you connect with through our site. No, they are all yours forever!

 

That’s because we aim to enable dog businesses to grow and sustain their clients, not take a cut of your profits.

 

We’re not just a doggy directory. Wooflinks is a community of dog professionals and dog friendly business owners who support each other, and all have one mission in mind – to make the world a better place for our dogs.

 

Sign up with Wooflinks today to get access to more buying customers for your business.