Avoid the Pitfalls: Risk Essentials for Real Estate Agents
More than half of Australian real estate professionals say client expectations have intensified in the past two years.
After the holiday rush, consumer behaviour changes dramatically from pre-Christmas spending sprees to fiscal belt tightening. Returns and exchanges often take centre stage, potentially impacting profit margins if managed poorly.
Although short-lived, this sales slowdown can significantly impact SMEs’ cashflow.
Your holiday sales campaigns offer a wealth of data – and valuable insights. Analysing this information can help identify what worked and what didn’t with your customers.
Here are some key questions to guide your analysis:
By reviewing this data, you can refine your strategies and focus on what drives results. That might be optimising your email subject lines, refining ad copy or improving audience targeting. For example, maybe a particular social media post went viral. What made it a standout – perhaps the imagery, the offer or the call to action?
Returns and exchanges can strain your business. But research shows they’re opportunities for improving customer satisfaction and driving sales. In fact, 91% of consumers are more likely to become long-term customers after a positive return experience. Think of these situations as a chance to impress customers with top-notch service and upsell extra products. For example, train your staff to recommend complementary items during returns or offer exclusive discounts to encourage repeat purchases.
Streamlined systems for handling returns can also boost customer satisfaction and foster loyalty, giving your business an edge during the slower months. With eight in 10 Australians stating loyalty programs enhance their experience with a brand, consider incorporating return policies with yours.
About 88% of Australian online shoppers have abandoned their carts before completing a purchase – that’s $18 billion in lost sales revenue left on the table. Automated reminders paired with enticing discounts can encourage customers to complete their purchases. Such reminders alone can recover up to 15% of lost sales.
To spark impulse buys, consider limited time offers or free shipping thresholds. Simplifying your checkout process also plays a big role—fewer steps mean fewer chances for customers to click away.
If those abandoned carts are due to high shipping costs or finding better prices elsewhere, consider how you can improve your offerings.
Upcoming celebrations such as Easter could be drawcards for your SME’s sales. Creating a marketing calendar for the year can help you stay ahead of seasonal trends to prepare to engage your customers. List public holidays, season trends (EOFY sales, etc.), industry-specific days (trade shows, product launches), cultural and festive events as well as global events. Could generative artificial intelligence (AI) help whip this up for you in a nanosecond? Align your campaigns with customer needs as your customers’ behaviours shift throughout the year.
Seasonal promotions, themed campaigns, and time-sensitive offers help keep customers excited about your brand throughout the year.
Digital tools can boost your business during slower months. AI driven marketing platforms, SEO strategies, and mobile-friendly websites enhance the customer experience and keep you competitive.
Consider using AI chatbots to handle common customer queries or leveraging analytics tools to refine your campaigns. Staying tech-savvy ensures you meet customers where they are. Use AI to analyse customer data and:
As your broker or adviser, we’re committed to supporting your business’s success with insights that go beyond insurance. If you’re interested in exploring how tailored coverages can align with your growth strategies, get in touch with us.
Article Supplied by OneAffiniti
Photo by EyeEm Mobile GmbH