Written by Jen on October 8, 2020

Great SEO ensures that beautiful website you’ve built is being viewed by potential new customers. Not a top search result? It’s time to use social media to improve your Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.

SEO performance is driven by keywords and elements on your company’s website – as well as by additional content that promotes your business online. Strong SEO boosts your website’s search rankings, resulting in increased traffic and leads.

SEO is a critical part of a successful digital marketing strategy.  Fortunately, there are multiple ways to develop a social media program that improves your SEO.

 Utilize Multiple Social Media Platforms

There are all sorts of creative ways to attract customers to your website through social media.  Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram each boast unique strengths when it comes to capturing and engaging your audience.

• LinkedIn is the preferred platform for sharing professional content and acquiring new clients. 80% of B2B social media leads come from LinkedIn. LinkedIn offers a wide variety of searchable content and, like a website, the SEO of your LinkedIn page plays a role in how easily potential customers can find you.
• Facebook is ideal for connecting with customers in a more casual and familiar way. While it isn’t the top platform for B2B marketers, Facebook is used by 77% of American adults, making it the most popular social media site overall. Be sure to include relevant keywords on your Facebook page and posts.
• Instagram offers the opportunity to inspire customers with photos (think micro-market installs or delicious new products you’ve added to your menu). It is a great way to build an additional base of followers and attracts a younger demographic that prefers to share ideas and information visually.

To increase exposure, encourage employees and business associates to share your posts. Tag clients in your posts, when appropriate, to reach their social media followers too.  It’s also a great idea to embed hyperlinks in your posts to draw customers to your website for more information.

Create Unique Blogs

Blog articles give potential and existing customers a deeper look at what is going on in your company and industry. Plus, they go a long way in establishing your organization as a business leader.  Posting blog articles across social media platforms will provide additional opportunities to connect with your audience and drive them to your website.

Custom blog articles written specifically about your organization are usually the most interesting.  They are also the perfect way to thoroughly explain how you are differentiating yourself from the competition. However, don’t be afraid to share industry related blog articles as well. They show that your company is on top of industry news and trends.

Take Advantage of Free Exposure

The digital world thrives on content.  So, if you have exciting news it is likely third parties are willing to share it.  Press releases will give you free exposure in industry publications too. Take advantage of opportunities like these to increase the number of people you reach with your content.

Let’s Recap

The top benefit of a well-developed social media strategy is the traffic it draws to your website. The more traffic your website generates, the better its SEO, and the higher it ranks in customer search results. A great social media strategy takes time and attention to fully evolve and produce results, but it is well worth the investment.

Written by aaron on June 26, 2020

Source: Cool Breakrooms

State by state, the gradual reopening of businesses has started.  Many companies are beginning to take measured steps towards returning to work at the office. They are developing new procedures and accommodations to ensure employee safety amidst ongoing concerns about COVID-19. The decisions they make about the company breakroom will be an important part of their go-forward plan.

Last week, members of the refreshment services industry banded together to send a heartfelt and reassuring message to their customers throughout the nation. The message (shot in isolation from each person’s home or business) is an inspiring 2-minute video led by VendCentral, a marketing company dedicated to the industry. The takeaway from this video is clear: breakroom service providers are here to support companies as they transition toward a safer working environment.

Breakroom service providers are each responding to their own state’s COVID-19 re-opening schedules and guidelines.  Moving forward, they are adopting even stricter health and safety measures than before.  Delivery drivers are maintaining social distancing practices and are washing their hands or putting on a fresh pair of gloves before each visit.  They are also sanitizing all contact surfaces and high touch areas at the end of every service call. The intent is to leave their clients’ breakrooms cleaner than they find them. Additionally, providers have developed social distancing policies in their own offices and distribution centers and are closely monitoring their employees’ health.

The company breakroom will be a valuable resource for employees in their new working environment.  In fact, micro-markets and vending machines inherently provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages.   Items offered in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for quick and easy “grab and go”. Vending machines and micro-markets also provide cashless payment options, limiting contact even further. By providing employees with plenty of fresh foods, snacks, and beverages in the breakroom, companies are able to satisfy their employees on-site during the workday, limiting their potential exposure to viruses by reducing trips outside the office for food.

Companies are increasing the frequency of their breakroom cleaning and sanitation and many are reducing or eliminating their seating options for now.   However, they are continuing to provide food and beverage services.  They are recognizing it as both a convenience to their employees and an opportunity to limit outside influences on their controlled office environment.

For companies looking to increase breakroom services for their employees, there’s help.  Coolbreakrooms, a company dedicated to improving breakrooms across the nation, specializes in helping companies find trusted breakroom service providers in their hometown.  For advice or assistance in modifying or upgrading your breakroom services, contact them at 866-699-8363 or info@coolbreakrooms.com.

Written by aaron on June 26, 2020

Source: Vending MarketWatch

VendCentral’s Mobile Request Platform improves communication between operators and customers.

VendCentral’s Award-Winning Mobile Request Platform, specifically designed for the vending channel, has played an increased role in helping refreshment providers better serve their customers post COVID-19. The technology provides automated communication between customers and providers using a QR code and smartphone.

With the app, customers can directly access important COVID-19 information, report machine issues, request items, and more, all from the convenience of their own smartphone. QR codes are placed on vending equipment and include easy to follow instructions.

VendCentral’s app eases the workload of facility and office managers, allowing them to focus on other tasks. In the new workplace environment, they are appreciating this streamlined, contactless form of communication more than ever. Providers are also seeing improvements. The app helps them process requests in a more organized and efficient way, resulting in better customer service.

VendCentral’s Mobile Request Platform was previously awarded Product of the Year by Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. The company plans to continue to improve upon its exclusive technology and introduce a new version of the app in Fall 2020.

Written by aaron on September 10, 2018

Americans spend 9+ hours per day on electronic devices. To capture potential facility managers’ attention, it is important to meet them where they are — online. One of the tools available in your digital marketing tool box is online reviews and testimonials.

Online reviews and testimonials impact everything from consumer buying habits to your brand perception. Since potential customers progress more than 70% of the way through the decision-making process before engaging a sales representative, your potential vending customers may not be finding information about your vending services. The key to engaging them is to deliver easy-to-find, high-value, relevant, and timely content especially reviews and testimonials.

Online Reputations Seal the Deal

In 2018, performing in-depth research such as reading reviews and testimonials via social media and other platforms is easy to do. Potential customers look to reviews and testimonials to understand what kind of vending experience they might have. Positive reviews can entice facility managers to visit your website for the first time. The overall picture created by reading your reviews helps facility managers come to a conclusion when they don’t know much about your company.

• 67% of facility managers believe online reviews are important when choosing a break room provider
• 57% of customers will eventually buy from a vending service provider they researched online
• 85% of facility managers trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation
• 97% of customers read online reviews for local vending services
• 74% of facility managers say positive reviews make them trust a local vending provider more

The more reviews that exist about your business, the more credible those reviews are perceived to be, and the more likely a potential customer is to visit your website. In addition to the number of reviews and their content, potential vending service customers want to see how many stars your business has. Stars play an important role as they encourage other potential customers to visit your website.  For example, if your website is the second one in the results of a micro-market provider search AND it has a star rating, that potential customer is 154% more likely to visit your website.

Why Google and Facebook

Google and Facebook are number one and number two, respectively, for online reviews. While Facebook is the leading source for customer reviews, Google is the most used search engine, and 63.6% of consumers check reviews on Google before visiting a business’s website. Mobile searches almost always contain one of the following four words or phrases: “best,” “to avoid,” “worst,” and “is ___ worth it.”

Google reviews and ratings also impact local search results, which are based on relevance, distance, and prominence. As Google explains it, “Google algorithms might decide that a business that’s farther away from your location is more likely to have what you’re looking for than a business that’s closer, and therefore rank it higher in local results.”

All Reviews and Testimonials Matter

Your customer reviews are integral to building trust. Bad reviews mixed with good reviews create an authentic online presence. For reviews to be perceived as authentic, they should vary by tone, and language, and grammatical and spelling errors. Reviews perform a specific function by answering questions for facility managers and creating personal connections to local vending services.

treat reviews and testimonials like precious assets

Star ratings and total number of reviews are important for attracting online searchers, BUT the content of your reviews has the power to influence purchase decisions. 82% of customers look for negative reviews to see if the flaws in your services are a one-time issue. Taking the time to respond to bad reviews is an opportunity to show responsiveness and empathy to current and future facility managers and their coworkers. When the reviews and comments are shorter, a higher quantity of reviews are necessary, while longer reviews mean fewer reviews are needed to build trust.

Plan of Action

Step 1:  Build your Google and Facebook profiles (ex. pictures, contact information, and company overview).

Step 2: ASK — 68% of consumers left a local business review when they were asked. Let the facility managers and employees of your existing customers know why and how their reviews will help.

• integrate asking for reviews into the sales/customer retention process or marketing strategy
• ask for feedback about specific aspects of your business
• keep review and testimonial requests short and sweet
• make sure review and testimonial requests come from the same place you want your reviewer to leave a review
• include icons on your website to direct visitors to your Google business listing and Facebook page where they can leave reviews and testimonials

Example:  Send the following message on a postcard with your business logo to a facilities manager. “Thanks for your business. If you have a few minutes, please visit any of the sites below and leave a comment or review about us”.  Include a list of shortened URLs that led directly to your business’s profile on Google and Facebook.

Step 3: What to do with Reviews and Testimonials

• respond regularly and publicly using polite and helpful responses to all reviews
• develop a management response strategy to respond to negative reviews
  • respond quickly with empathy and compassion
  • set up Google Alerts to notify you when your company is mentioned
  • track reviews especially poor ones; it allows you to see a pattern (if there is one)
  • work with customers to find a reasonable resolution to a bad experience
• Share positive reviews and testimonials on your website and social media channels, and include them in email communications, etc.

Written by aaron on December 8, 2017

You have a great vending company, with a great reputation. You get good quality vending, office coffee service and even micro market customers through word of mouth and references. So why do you need online or digital marketing? Because that is where these interactions are happening more and more for facility and human resource managers, online and in social media channels.

Check out these stats! In a 2014 business to business (B2B) study, nearly all the participants reported doing online research when considering partnering with a new business.

• 77% do a Google search
• 3% check the business’ website
• 41% read user reviews
• Only 12% want to meet in person

The take-away? You need to be marketing your vending company where facility managers and human resource professionals are looking.

Digital marketing is powerful

The high rate of online research, use of reviews, and attitude about in-person meetings versus online purchasing mean that to be considered by the refreshment service decision makers of today, a strong digital marketing effort is needed. Even if your customers are referring you to other people offline, those prospects are researching your vending company on Google and LinkedIn and Facebook and your website. They need to be impressed with what they see, including how you will make their job creating a rewarding employee experience and providing on-site refreshment easier.

Digital marketing has benefits for your sales department as well. With the right search engine marketing and content, your online presence will get qualified leads, not just traffic. These are the facility managers, culture teams, and human resource professionals in your service area that match your ideal customer criteria. You can actively search for them and engage them on social media platforms. Bring them into your sales funnel to start converting them to your customers.

Finally, digital marketing builds long-term bonds with customers. Being seen and well-represented online ensures existing vending, office coffee service, and micro market customers continue to see you as a professional service provider. They can quickly discover your new product and service offerings or contact you in the way most convenient for them. Fostering these relationships turns your customers into brand advocates, who will not mind telling others about your company. They know that when those people go to find you online, they will like the refreshment service offerings and professionalism they see, thanks to digital marketing.

Written by aaron on November 17, 2017

Turn your anonymous website visitors into qualified sales leads! VendCentral is excited to announce our latest, new-age lead generation tool   Watch our video here! Without any registration forms, ZippyLead identifies who is on your website and what products or services they are interested in. We deliver this information in real-time e-mail alerts that include your prospect’s company name, website address and more, so YOU can do a well-timed cold call and beat your competitors to the punch! Never miss another potential account and sign-up for our 30-day free trial today!After the free-trial it is only $100 per month. No contract, no commitments, cancel anytime! It’s that easy.

Written by aaron on November 3, 2017

Written by aaron on October 11, 2017

One of the best ways to gain exposure online for your vending & micro-market business is being listed on Google’s business directory – Google My Business. It is a free and effective platform to connect with your customers, improve your search engine rankings and eventually get more clients for your business online. From digital agencies to vending companies and wedding planning businesses, all have benefited from being listed on Google My Business, and so can you!

Watch our video below to learn more about what Google My Business listing is and why it is important for business owners to claim it.

Written by aaron on September 20, 2017

How Karmic Management Influences Our Business

At VendCentral, we believe in Karmic Management. If you’ve never heard of it, Karmic Management is the title of a book, but also a business philosophy based on the idea that good service leads to good karma. While it may sound more spiritual than business-like, it really is a universal concept that extends through our everyday life, from personal interactions to work ethics.

M&M Sales Company, Lafayette LA

At the core of our business philosophy is the idea that everyone prefers to deal with honest and ethical people. We recognize their humility and the good things they do for others. In business too, customers and stakeholders prefer to work with companies who are open and stand for something more than just making money. You can see this in your own business. When you provide excellent service and sell high quality products, you are doing good to others and receive good karma in return. This manifests in repeat customers and growing revenues. If you exceed expectations, you will receive good karma multiplied and attract more positive business associations.

Another part of our philosophy is having purpose. Live with purpose. Do business with purpose. This will help you be happier in life. Translated to business, this means having a company mission. Ours is to use computer and online marketing skills to help vending operators grow. We look at what we do as more than building websites or creating content. All our vending operator customers have employees. The better the vending operation does, the more secure those employees’ jobs become. If that success can be partially attributed to our services of creating successful online webpages and marketing dedicated to driving up sales for each company, it means we are helping people in communities across the United States. Our service means good Karma.

Charley Nelms, President of Texas vending association & Neil Swindale, at their annual meeting

While you can have both good service and strong purpose, it may not matter without a positive attitude. Outwardly, an optimistic attitude conveys your good intentions and shows the performance of good deeds. Internally, the attitude creates a culture of productivity and creativity, not to mention a great place to work with loyal employees who love their job.

Karmic Management is our goal at VendCentral. We build relationships with vending operators that focus on open and honest communication. We strive for great service, a strong purpose, and positive attitude that will attract good fortune and grow our customers’ businesses. We believe it’s the best way to live, and work.

Written by aaron on September 7, 2017

LinkedIn is by far the most powerful and arguably the most overlooked platform in the vending and office coffee industry.   It is an important network that allows you to build relationships, establish thought leadership, generate leads and gain insights, thus making it one of the most influential platforms in business to business networking.

Watch our video below for a quick tip on how you can use LinkedIn to grow your vending and office coffee business.