Branding is the best way to strengthen your marketing and grow your sales. It is an image that represents your company. A tagline that portrays your services and reputation. That makes it vital to meeting your marketing and sales goals.
Because a brand is so powerful, VendCentral offers our Monthly Marketing Program to help you establish it. The program uses a holistic approach. That means we work with you on your brand identity to capture the essence of your business. The focus is then on a strong, cohesive look across all messaging that grabs the attention of breakroom service decision-makers.
Read on to explore the benefits of branding. Plus, learn what goes into a solid brand identity for refreshment service providers.
What Is Branding?
Vending operators often ask us the question, what is branding? In short, it’s the visuals that speak to the core goals and purpose of your company. From the design of your logo to the fonts on your website, there are many aspects to branding. How do you translate fresh into a color palette? What font exemplifies reliable service? This is why an experienced marketing partner is vital. Marketers know how to use visuals to highlight your sales message, values, and company personality. After all, a brand is how potential clients will identify and remember you for their breakroom business. It needs to be strong.
5 Benefits of Good Branding
Vending operators with solid branding will benefit in many ways. From establishing your identity to stronger marketing in the future, it is key. Here’s how good branding will help grow your business:
1. Stands Out
Your brand should stand out from the competition. It should show the one thing that sets your vending business apart. That will give your company’s brand more meaning and character. This way, clients will understand who you are and why they should choose your team for their needs.
2. Stays Consistent
Branding includes all aspects of your business, starting with your company logo and your tagline. Both need to work together to show the core narrative of your company. These need to be recognizable to clients using any type of digital marketing, from social selling to your website to email campaigns. A good brand identity offers consistency.
3. Builds Credibility
The right branding can build trust in your company. It takes into account your company’s foundation, purpose, and goals. It showcases your strong position in the vending field to instill confidence in potential clients. After all, you want them to see your brand and know you are their best choice for service.
4. Targets the Right Audience
Part of building a strong brand is reaching your target audience. You want to know who they are and what’s important to them. That way, your branding appeals to them, making you the top choice for potential customers. Good branding and custom content will reach those who want your service, and a digital marketing company that knows vending can help you do this.
5. Shapes Marketing
With a solid brand identity, your marketing is more effective. There is a consistent look, feel, and message. Branding is vital to stronger marketing that can boost sales.
Partner with Us
Branding helps operators stand out from the competition, show who they are, target the right people, and build credibility to help drive sales. As your digital marketing partner, we can help you execute your marketing plan using your established branding.
You don’t have to figure out branding alone. VendCentral helps vending operators grow their business with strong branding and marketing. It’s what we’ve been doing for years with great success. Contact us to learn more and how we can help make yours even better!
read moreYour vending company’s social media presence has never been more important. It can build brand awareness, reach new audiences, and help your company stay top-of-mind with existing customers. It promotes your vending services, products, and overall brand.
Businesses that maintain a strategic social media presence often have a competitive edge.
But, where does your personal social media account fit in? And how can you use it to promote your vending brand?
Your personal social media accounts can play a large role in growing your brand – especially if you are an entrepreneur or thought leader in the vending industry. Your personal social media platform can humanize your business and build genuine relationships with your audience. It can also help differentiate you from competitors.
Here’s how to use your personal social media platform to promote your vending business:
Integrate your business and personal brand
Incorporate your vending company’s logo, services, and story into your personal profile. Use your platform to showcase your experience and insight into the vending industry. A behind-the-scenes look into your company will help your audience connect with your brand. If you have a great entrepreneurial story behind your business, don’t be shy about sharing it!
Leverage your network
Your personal network is made up of some of your biggest cheerleaders. Share your company’s posts to make them aware of the great things your business is doing. Add your own insights to create even more impact. Your network’s likes and comments will help further promote your brand.
Be sure to also watch what industry experts and colleagues are posting about. Commenting on their posts will display your knowledge and interest in vending services and further promote your business.
Showcase your company culture
We know you are passionate about your business and its success, so let it show! Use your personal platform to give special thanks to hard-working employees and showcase what they are doing to make a difference. If members of your team are giving back to their local community, shine a light on their service to others. These posts will show your audience that you are a great company to work with AND work for.
A well-managed company social media presence is essential. But, by thoughtfully integrating your business into your personal social media platforms, you can create a powerful, social selling strategy to promote your vending brand.
VendCentral specializes in social media content creation for companies in the vending industry. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help grow your business.
read moreA new website offers your vending business a fresh look and opportunity for growth. With the new year approaching, now is a great time to look at boosting your online presence in 2024!
So how do you know if you need a new website? This blog will give busy vending operators like you some key things to consider.
The Case for a New Website
First Impressions
When competing for breakroom service contracts, it’s vital to look fresh. Your site needs to instantly convey that your business is current and trustworthy. This means a modern design, crisp graphics, up to date information, and appealing photos. A fresh website can captivate visitors researching your business online. This first impression should put you ahead of your competition and leave a lasting, positive impression.
User Enhanced
A new website can mean more engaged visitors who spend a longer time discovering your offerings. Think about how users might move around your current site. Is the navigation simple? Does your site load quickly? Is the design responsive? How easy is it to view on a mobile device? A user-friendly site keeps visitors shopping. They check out the services you offer and explore more. This increases your chance of conversion.
SEO Optimized
New SEO practices can boost your website’s visibility in search engines. It is important your site include keywords for the major services you offer and the local cities you operate in. The more in tune your website is with the way customers shop, the better your organic search results will be. This means more organic traffic to your website and more leads.
New Website Security
Cybersecurity is an ongoing concern for many businesses operating online. Be confident your website’s security credentials are up to date. Modern websites can integrate better security measures. This ensures not only the safety of your company’s site but also any data saved from users.
Aligned Messaging
A new website can bring together your company’s updated brand and messaging. If these have evolved over time, a new site will ensure shoppers are seeing the most accurate reflection of your current business. Your website should showcase your brand and your messaging should back it up, telling your story. A new site can let your look and communication best reflect your business today.
Conversions
A good website is designed to easily convert visitors to customers. It can do that in many ways, including strategic placement of call-to-action buttons and forms. These engage the user and easily guide them into your sales funnel. Simple measures like these can boost sales and leads.
New Website Advantages Are a Click Away
Now you know what should be in a new website for vending companies. It includes a combination of front-facing enhancements and back-end improvements. If you think your site could use a refresh in 2024, we specialize in making the process easy for busy operators. That’s because VendCentral has spent decades helping vending operators succeed with digital sales and marketing. Contact VendCentral today to discuss a new website that will get visitors’ attention and grow leads.
read moreIs a Vending Marketing Program in your business plan for next year? If not, you may want to consider it. The right Vending Marketing Program can act as a compass to guide your refreshment services business toward success. How exactly? Well, that’s what this blog is all about. Keep reading to find out the seven reasons why you should invest in a Vending Marketing Program.
1. Capitalize on Marketing Trends
Running a business dedicated to breakroom services takes time and know-how. That makes it hard to also captialize on marketing trends, which change often. Fortunately, that is exactly what a Vending Marketing Program does. The VendCentral team is committed to modern, effective, and on trend marketing practices that work for our industry. We ensure your refreshment services business utilizes the right methods and to keep pace with how customers are shopping.
2. Stand Above the Competition
VendCentral offers a variety of programs tailored to your needs. We look at your company, your goals, and your location. Then we put together an action plan to boost your SEO and give you an edge over your competition.
3. Amplify Sales and Conversion Rates
The best sales tools for your vending business are your website and marketing strategy. It is these that bring HR and facility managers in for a look and then turn them into customers. VendCentral will guide these prospects from interest to contract, boosting your sales.
4. Forge Lasting Customer Connections
VendCentral’s marketing programs not only bring in prospects, they also grow existing client relationships. Tailored web content and social media are effective at fostering loyalty. This leads to more referrals, upgrades, and overall growth for your vending company.
5. Grow through Data-Driven Insights
Marketing can be hard to analyze. Is it attracting new clients? How about expanding your reach? To answer these questions, VendCentral uses a data-driven approach. We look at the analytics in order to refine marketing strategies and boost the effectiveness of your program.
6. Adapt to Industry Shifts
The convenience services industry has shifted and evolved over the years to give customers what they want. Your marketing approach needs to stay nimble too. Your online messaging to prospects and clients must always be up to date and on target. Our programs refine your approach as needed with plenty of marketing expertise.
7. Strengthen Brand Identity
Customers, prospects, and even potential new employees must be able to clearly understand and connect with your vending company. That’s why our marketing programs consistently reinforce your brand identity. This fosters recognition and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.
A Vending Marketing Program Leads to Higher Sales
In the end, a VendCentral marketing program provides a clear pathway to growth for your refreshment services business. Our know-how helps you navigate your marketing through a dynamic landscape and come out ahead.
Learn more about the different marketing programs available. Or, contact VendCentral to discuss which Vending Marketing Program works best for you. You can reach us at (866) 699-8363 or info@vendcentral.com.
read moreThere is nothing more necessary than building SEO for your refreshment service website. Why? Because in today’s highly competitive digital market, you need to be front and center online. Good SEO will put you there.
Implementing working SEO strategies will improve your search engine rankings (the S and E in SEO). It will drive traffic to your vending website for FREE! Plus, it boosts brand visibility for your vending company. All that makes it easier for you to meet your business goals.
Understanding SEO
There are many levels to SEO, from the domain name you choose to how you index your pages. Utilizing a hosting company or even a digital marketing agency can really help with this. But there’s more that you have direct control over. Optimizing this is how you can build organic SEO.
Consider Website Design and Keywords
The design of your website affects SEO. So, it is important to set up a logical structure. Each page should have links to the other pages. These are called backlinks and help search engines find new pages. It also helps you rank higher for the words that are linked, a.k.a. keywords.
Speaking of keywords, getting these right is critical. To begin, think of your target customer. What will they type in a search engine to find the breakroom refreshment services you offer? Are there other search terms they use? What else do you offer? This is how you can begin to create your keywords. And don’t be afraid to try some keyword planning tools for those related words that are not obvious.
Ensure a Seamless User Experience
Another boost to SEO is to remember that search engines prioritize websites that offer a good user experience. So, how do you do that? First, ensure your backlinks work and the site loads quickly. Nothing frustrates users more than broken links or a page that times out. Your site must also be mobile-friendly since more and more people, even business-to-business prospects, are searching on their smartphones.
Second, the information on your site needs to be useful. The user should spend time on your site, reading and clicking on links. This will be key to better SEO AND getting qualified leads for your sales team.
Remember that Content is King
The most vital aspect of building SEO is content. Generating the right subject matter can make your site valuable to customers, give search engines your keywords, and attract prospect attention. Website content includes blogs, at least monthly, and new website pages that mention a few of your keywords. There is no need to stuff the text full of the keywords. In fact, this will lower your SEO score. Just ensure you mention the most important keywords, and relevant services, a few times.
Create content beyond your website as well. Social media posts are great for getting attention and user engagement. Ensure they link back to your website. Don’t forget about email newsletters, email ads, and online promotions. These might link to an existing website page or a newly created landing page. The links, keywords, and traffic will optimize your site for the search engines.
Unlock the Power of SEO
Now that you understand ways to make your SEO better, it’s time to optimize (the O in SEO). Enhance your website to be logical and user-friendly. Verify your keywords and add content that is useful and relevant. That is how you’ll build strong SEO and feed the bottom line of our vending business.
Need some SEO help? VendCentral has the digital marketing expertise to get your site ranking better. Check out our marketing plans or call us today at (866) 699-8363.
read moreIn today’s world, your vending website is the face of your small business. It leaves a lasting impact on potential customers. To ensure they are engaged and motivated to reach out to your brand, it is a must to avoid common website turnoffs.
Vending Website Turnoffs Customers Want You to Know
As digital marketing experts, we know you need a strong online presence, and what can happen without one. That is why we’ve made this list of the top website turnoffs to avoid. Let’s explore these pitfalls and learn how to change your vending website into a lead and revenue-generating machine!
1. “Look at Me” Content
Customers are not interested in overwhelming self-promotion. This includes long lists of features and all the services you could offer them. Instead, to have a good vending website, aim to educate with concise content. Focus on the needs of your potential vending customers and how you can help.
2. Blurry Branding
It’s good to be clear. And that includes your branding. It should be visible, consistent, and concise. When building a brand, strive to be known for one thing that sets your vending business apart. This will help build credibility and instill confidence in potential clients.
3. No Credibility
When promoting yourself, it is important to prove what you say is true. That is why you must add elements to your vending website that boost your credibility. One way to do this is with customer testimonials. These comments about your service go a long way in showing that you do what you say you do. Another way to gain credibility is by listing awards and achievements. This can help foster trust with new customers.
4. Clumsy Contact Options
Avoid complex or broken Contact Us forms on your website. Instead, make it very easy for visitors to reach out online. Put phone numbers and your email address on every page too. And ensure the information is current. That way it is simple for potential customers to contact you in whatever way they choose. Seamless communication is a great way to boost confidence in your business.
5. Poor Vending Website SEO Structure
Don’t miss out on being seen. This is how you gain customers. So it is vital to optimize your vending website for search engines. Not including proper search engine optimization (SEO) could mean your website is not visible in search results.
6. Using Only Stock Photography
Consider investing in personal content, like images. It is worth the cost as it better reflects the core of your business. On the other hand, stock photos may not be accurate. This can have a negative impact on your credibility with customers. Instead, why not showcase your unique brand identity via authentic images?
7. Typos in Vending Website Text
It’s vital to ensure your website content is free from spelling errors. Why? Because it shows you are professional. Plus, website visitors will like your attention to detail. Both things are important to breakroom service decision-makers.
8. Confusing Vending Website Navigation
Make sure that your website’s pages are easy to move through. Simple, clear menus and working links are key. This way visitors are sure to have a positive experience while using your vending website.
9. Not Showing Your Work
Demonstrate your expertise with case studies and portfolios to build credibility and instill confidence in potential clients. A fun way to do this is by posting before and after photos of breakroom installs.
10. Vending Website Not Optimized For Mobile
Lastly, embrace a responsive website design. This means a site that shows up well on a mobile device. Why? Because there is a growing mobile audience searching for services via phone and tablet. Plus, it will improve your SEO rankings.
Swap Vending Website Turnoffs for Digital Know-How
Transform your website into a lead and revenue-building powerhouse by avoiding these turnoffs. Consider VendCentral your go-to source! We can optimize your online presence and impress visitors. Together, we can ensure your vending business stands out in the digital world. To get started, contact us at (866) 699-8363 or visit us online. We can’t wait to hear from you!
read moreWelcome to part 2 of our blog series on the benefits of email marketing! If you didn’t catch part 1, make sure to give it a read first to learn about the first six ways it helps your vending business succeed. If you already know how it influences business-to-business decision-makers, then you’re ready to keep reading. In this final part, we’ll focus on the power of email marketing and how it saves money for vending operators.
7. Getting Low-Cost Leads
Email marketing is a great tool for increasing leads for your sales team. It removes the need for cold calling or having a feet-on-the-ground approach. With its personalized message, you can nurture email leads and guide them through the sales funnel, virtually. In addition, you can further qualify leads so your sales team has high-value prospects that are more likely to turn into new customers.
8. Reaching the Right People
Use email marketing to target messages to specific customers. For example, talk about the ease of vending machines to the facility manager. Or tout the corporate wellness benefits of your healthy snacks program to the human resource manager. In the end, this kind of marketing lets you create just the right message for the customer you’re hoping to reach. That will make them more likely to take action and stay engaged.
9. Marketing Cost Effectively
Without the need for printing, postage, or advertising space, email marketing can result in significant cost savings. Plus, your vending business still looks professional thanks to a well-designed layout and user-friendly email platform. Thus, this type of marketing is a truly budget-friendly solution.
10. Being Valuable to the Customer
Being quick and targeted means email marketing is more valuable to your customers. An email can share relevant updates, exclusive offers, and discounts, all of which are likely of interest to your clients. The more your content is relevant to your email list, the better you keep them engaged. That results in a higher ROI.
11. Owning Your Message
Email marketing gives you full control of your message. You control who sees your email and what they see. Therefore, it’s a direct line of communication. You do not need to rely on third parties or algorithms. Quite simply, you are in charge. That’s priceless.
12. Driving Brand Awareness
When sent consistently, email marketing does a great job of promoting your brand. The content reinforces your message, showcases your break room products and services, and highlights your experience in the industry. It helps your vending company stay top-of-mind for your customers.
Use the Benefits of Email Marketing to Grow
In the end, a vending business can drive up lead quality and boost conversions with the help of digital marketing solutions, like emails. This will ultimately lead to growth from current and new customers.
Interested? Consider VendCentral as your go-to resource for personalized email marketing that can take your business to the next level! Reach out today at (866) 699-8363.
read moreThe NAMA show, hosted by the National Automatic Merchandising Association in Atlanta, brought together leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts in the refreshment services industry. The VendCentral team had the privilege of exploring the trade show floor, attending panels, and networking with key players in the industry. From exciting innovations found at “Imagination Way” to the launch of new products, the show left a lasting impression.
Interested in learning more about the world of possibilities for the industry’s future? Keep reading to discover a few of the show’s highlights, latest product trends, and more!
Coffee, Coffee, & More Coffee!
Office coffee took center stage at the NAMA Show, capturing the attention of attendees at every turn. The Emblem bean-to-cup coffee brewer was ever-present with its exceptional on-demand brewing capabilities. Definitely, a staple to include on your office coffee equipment roster. National brands and local coffee roasters, including Segafredo, Seattle’s Best, Starbucks, Ellis Coffee Company, Bodecker Brewed, and more kept everyone fueled throughout the 3-day show.
Additionally, the popularity of on-the-go coffee options, including nitro brew, cold brew, and canned coffee is undeniable. Brands such as RISE, La Colombe, Wandering Bear, and Costa Coffee made a significant impact, offering unique coffee drinking experiences for attendees.
Bubbling with Excitement: NAMA Beverage Takeaways
The NAMA Show showcased the latest trends in the beverage industry. It came as no surprise that energy drinks continued to dominate. Well-established brands like Red Bull, Celsius, Monster, and C4 Energy drew substantial attention. However, the show also provided a platform for up-and-coming brands such as Alani Nu, PHOCUS, UpTime, and Sparkling Ice Energy Drinks to make their mark.
Better-for-you beverages were another highlight of the event. Healthy soda alternatives like Poppi, Zevia, and Good Mood made their debut, captivating attendees with their healthier and more flavorful options for the refreshment services market.
New-Age Vending Equipment & Technology
In the realm of vending equipment, the NAMA show revealed groundbreaking innovations. For example, Just Baked’s hot food kiosk was a must-see. Offering a wide range of delicious meal and dessert options, you can select, pay, and be eating in minutes. The convenience and quality of these hot and fresh treats left a delightful and memorable impression on everyone’s taste buds.
Supply Wizards Supply Wizards wowed the crowd with their revolutionized online ordering process. Their user-friendly software seamlessly integrates with operators’ Vending Management Systems (VMS), making invoicing and tracking inventory a simple task! On average, operators have seen an increase in order sizes by 24% when using Supply Wizards for their online ordering. Therefore, this product is ideal for operators looking to grow their office coffee and pantry services!
ZippyAssist ZippyAssist emerged as a game-changer, enabling vending operators to provide immediate support to customers. With simple-to-use features like instant refunds and maintenance requests, they’ve streamlined customer service. This text-based platform accessed from a customer’s mobile phone is helping operators across the globe enhance their unattended retail experience.
Embracing the NAMA Show Momentum
Overall, the NAMA show was a resounding success leaving operators inspired by new ideas and technology for the refreshment service industry. From the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to the introduction of cutting-edge vending equipment, this event set the stage for a future of innovation and growth. The VendCentral team looks forward to implementing the lessons learned and supporting the members of our industry through comprehensive marketing services.
VendCentral is solely focused on the refreshment services industry. Contact us to learn how our marketing programs can help your business GROW!
read moreBlogging can help you get more vending and breakroom service leads. In fact, small business resource Fit Small Business reports that businesses that blog get 67% MORE leads per month. That significant boost in leads makes blogging a huge return on investment.
6 Benefits You Get From Blogging
What makes blogging so successful? What brings all those breakroom service leads? It’s a combination of factors, from better search engine optimization (SEO) to being considered a breakroom expert. Keep reading for more details on the 6 benefits of writing a vending website blog. Trust us; you won’t want to miss them!
1. Increase Website Traffic
Blogging helps people find your website. Keywords used in a blog, like vending and breakroom, are “seen” by search engines. That makes your blog and website more likely to show in search results; therefore, more people will find your company while shopping online for breakroom services.
2. Blogging Drive Conversions
Your vending-related blog is a great place to show customers and prospects your knowledge of breakroom services. And that knowledge can lead to conversions, where users fill out an online form or sign up for an email list. After all, when you want a product or service, you go to a company that knows its stuff. So, show off your expertise by publishing blogs!
3. Contribute to Social Media Efforts
Every company needs a social media presence. If you don’t have one, you should. But let’s assume you do have one. Blogging gives you more items to post about. Yes, it’s true. You can promote your latest article with a nice photo to engage your audience and drive traffic to your website. It’s a win-win! But don’t forget to include a link to the blog. Why? Because a direct link encourages clicks and reads without any leg work from the audience. Doing this also helps boost your SEO score and can help your website climb to the top of the search results.
4. Build Trusting Client Relationships
Just as knowledge of quality refreshment solutions drives conversion, it also builds trust. Blogging about services like micro-markets or office coffee shows your customers you are devoted to your businesses. In turn, they are more likely to trust you with their service needs.
Plus, it lets you show off what you can bring to your customers. And who doesn’t love that? Writing blogs about specific break rooms you’ve installed will help your audience understand what you do and what their break room could look like.
5. Reinforce Your Brand
Don’t forget what your blog can do for your brand. Most people, including human resource professionals and facility managers, prefer doing business with companies they recognize and trust. So, make sure they know your company with a blog tone and look that follows your branding plan.
6. Differentiate a Business From Its Competition
Not all vending companies blog. And that’s to your advantage. Blogging sets you apart from the competition. But even if your local competitors do have a blog, you can still use yours to stand out. Ensure your blog has a personal touch, introducing readers to your brand. Cover local issues, seasonally relevant topics, and the service and products that make you the best choice for breakroom services.
The Time to Start Blogging is Now!
Blogging is an important marketing tool. It brings in readers who can convert to breakroom service leads and sales. The key is consistency and industry knowledge, ensuring appropriate keywords appear throughout the blog for maximum results.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry; our team of marketing experts can help! VendCentral offers different levels of support for vending marketing. Contact us at (866) 699-8363 or visit us online.
read moreWhen it’s time for your vending company to create a new website there’s a lot to consider. After all, this is where facility managers and human resource managers learn about your company. The new website needs to showcase your brand identity and offer everything your current customers and prospects want to learn.
To get you started, here are some of our new vending website MUSTS.
Start With Services & Products
A clear message about what your vending company offers must be front and center. That means links for each service. In fact, each service should have at least one dedicated webpage. Focus on showing the service with great-looking custom pictures. Plus, include short descriptions that tell why the service is a benefit.
Enhance the User Experience
For business-to-business (B2B) websites like yours, it’s important to optimize the customer experience. Ensure information is up-to-date, links work, and most importantly, everything loads quickly. Nothing frustrates potential clients more than a website that takes several seconds to load (or never does).
It is also critical your new website displays well on a mobile device. Statista reports that 16% of B2B website traffic was from mobile in 2022. The number is growing, suggesting that mobile devices will be used more in the future. Don’t miss a sale because you’re counting on a desktop user! Ensure your website is mobile-optimized.
A New Vending Website Needs Custom Content
Your vending website needs to show who you are as a company. That means personalization. Be open to including photos of your team, warehouse, and the breakrooms you service. Having more than stock photos on your website will help decision-makers relate to your business. A great place to personalize is an About Us page, which can tell your company’s story.
On your new website, don’t forget to create a space for blogs. Writing a blog is a great way to highlight your vending business’ personality, showcase the breakroom services you offer, and help your search engine optimization (SEO).
Generate Leads With a New Vending Website
Your website acts as a sales tool 24/7. Ensure it’s seen by focusing on services and custom content that is full of SEO keywords. That way prospects in your area find your refreshment services company.
Need to know more about what makes a good vending website? Ask VendCentral, the convenience services industry’s digital marketing experts. We offer different levels of marketing support to match your need. Learn more about how one of our vending marketing programs can drive sales by contacting us at info@vendcentral.com or (866) 699-8363.
read more