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The most successful businesses have a long-term vision that balances with things like ethics and sustainability. It's not enough to throw some recycling bins in the break room. It's time to get your customers on board with your green efforts. Here are five ways you can do it.
1. Start with A Survey
Your customers are the key to your business's success. They are certain of what to expect from you, and if you don't meet those expectations, they won't stay loyal. The best way to get feedback and input on improving the green efforts of your company is by asking them.
A survey helps you to learn more about their preferences in sustainability. You can incorporate those findings into future initiatives. Surveys can be used to develop new products or services that align with consumer needs. It helps identify areas where customers may have more suggestions for improvement to make them more sustainable over time.
2. Automatically Opt-in New Customers
This is a simple way to get your customers involved without complicating it. It's easy for them to opt-in, and they don't have to remember to do it. However, if you make it too easy for customers to opt out, they might not notice how important their participation is. If you make it too hard for customers to opt out (e.g., requiring multiple steps), some might give up before completing the process.
3. Set Up an Email Campaign to Explain Your Green Initiatives to Customers
You want to explain the “why” behind the steps that you are taking. For example, if you are moving to a paperless office, everyone in the company needs to know how this will benefit them. An email campaign explaining this change will help get employees on board with your green efforts. It makes them feel involved in the process.
It is important to explain how these initiatives will benefit your customers. This is especially true if they have paid extra money for sustainability features on products or services they receive from your business. For example, some companies charge fees for paperless billing instead of mailing invoices out in hard copy.
4. Encourage Customers to Use a Self-Service Portal
A self-service portal is an online interface that allows users to quickly and easily perform tasks. They do this without contacting your company's support team for help. A customer can sign in, do what they need to do, and leave without talking to you or your employees. They need a desktop computer or mobile device with internet access.
This means savings on customer service costs while improving the customers' experience. You provide them with an easy way to get things done by themselves instead of having them call or email you at all-day hours. It's easy for businesses large and small businesses.
5. Allow Customers to Subscribe to Paperless Billing
Paperless billing is another way to encourage customers to go green. This is an effective and simple method that helps reduce waste and saves trees. Most importantly, it allows your customers who do want paper bills or text to pay to opt-out of receiving them in the first place.
How can you set up a program like this? Here are some tips. Make sure that all of your staff know how the system works so they can help customers navigate through the process if needed.
Create an FAQ page with all of the details about how customers can sign up for paperless billing and what happens when they do choose this option (e.g., no more printed statements or invoices), as well as any questions about why it's beneficial for both parties involved (e-billing is free, reduces carbon footprint by saving trees). Ensure you update this page whenever something changes about either party's responsibilities under this agreement (for example, if there's a new charge involved).
Conclusion
Being green is important to your business. Ensuring your customers are happy with your choices is even more important. These five steps are recommended for keeping everyone happy — especially the planet! The best part about these steps is that they all take very little effort from you so that it won't feel like too much of a burden. And if you do decide to experiment with any of them, let us know how it works out for you!
Written by Tracie Johnson
About the Author
Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. Tracie is passionate about writing, reading, and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus. If you are looking for a convertible wrap dress, Tracie recommends Henkaa.
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