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Written by Emily on February 22, 2023

Testimonials and Reviews are akin to word-of-mouth marketing. And we all know how important word-of-mouth is to a vending business. Testimonials from happy vending customers are a top way to get new vending customers. And a nonpartial third-party review strongly impacts a decision maker’s buying process. So, how do you make the most of a client’s testimonial or review? And how do you get more?

Share Testimonials on Your Website

One of the first places a prospective client visits is your website. And because as many as 93% of buyers read reviews, displaying testimonials on your website is a must. Ask your long-term customers to send you a statement about their experiences with your company and services. Let them know that you plan to share it on your website. For even more impact, include a picture of your customer along with their statement. This helps show prospects that the testimonial is from a real person.

Don’t be tempted to create testimonials on a client’s behalf. Make sure every testimonial is authentic. Overly positive or promotional reviews will stand out. Savvy decision makers will see right through them.

Ask for Reviews on Social Media

A prospect who does research on your vending company will look on your website. But that’s not all. They will look elsewhere online for feedback too. That’s why reviews on your Google Business Listing and social media are also critical. An active Google Business Listing with lots of reviews will also gain a higher SEO.

Make it easy for clients to share their honest opinions by sending them a link to your Google Business Listing. Don’t worry about imperfect reviews. It is a chance to engage a client and turn the situation around. Do not be tempted to pay for reviews or to reward customers for submitting them.  The feedback on your Google Business Listing should be organic and people should be inclined to leave them without incentives or rewards.

Video reviews are also becoming more and more popular. If you’re visiting a customer who is raving about your service, ask to record them. Use your smartphone for a quick video review of the happy customer. Then post it to social media. It’s a great way to spread the word about your stellar service.

Get Testimonials. Gain Leads.

Testimonials and reviews by a customer can impact future sales. Make sure your vending business is getting the leads it deserves by focusing on your testimonials and online reviews. If you want to grow your business through testimonials, reviews, and other digital marketing strategies, VendCentral can help. We offer various digital marketing plans created just for breakroom service providers. Call us at (866) 699-8363 or reach us online.

Written by Emily on November 9, 2022

A new vending website can set your breakroom business up for sales success in a digital world that is crowded with competitors. Your website is a salesperson that works 24/7 and its sales pitch needs to be great. If your current vending website is not relevant, easy to read, and showcasing the best of your vending services, then it’s time for a whole new look.

Beyond that, there are three tell-tale signs that it’s time for a new website. They relate to performance indicators that impact how prospects will find your website and how long they’ll stay engaged. Read on for three questions to ask yourself to assess if your current website is performing at its best.

Is it easy to navigate?

A beautiful, well-designed website is a must. Not just the homepage either. 47% of users visit a vending website’s products or services page first, according to Zippia research. Therefore, it’s critical to ensure easy-to-access navigation with logical headings. The most important of these is the Contact Us page. Why? Because it’s crucial that potential customers can easily reach out to your business. Zippia also reports that 44% of users leave a site without contact information. Don’t let this happen to you.

While high-quality images are essential, large image files can slow a website down. This frustrates users and leads nearly 40% of people to stop engaging, says Webfx. In fact, lead conversion drops up to 20% for each second your site takes to load. Take a look at whether your website’s pages are optimized. They should provide a high-quality user experience with fast load speeds.

Is it ranking high on search engines?

Is your website traffic low? According to Fit Small Business, this is a problem for one in five businesses. A possible reason for low traffic is poor search engine optimization (SEO). Poor SEO affects your website’s rankings when breakroom decision-makers search for the services you provide. Check your search engine ranking by typing in a city in your service area along with the type of services you offer; like vending, office coffee, or micro-markets. Does your vending website appear? If you aren’t a top result, you’re SEO could be the problem.

A new vending website with proper SEO can move your business up the ranks. This is good news. It ensures your vending company will be seen by new customers looking for breakroom services in your area.

Is it mobile-responsive?

More people are using mobile devices to access the internet than ever. A Google Marketing Forum compared mobile vs. desktop viewing and found that shoppers access websites through their mobile devices much more often than through their desktop. Despite this, converting a customer via their mobile device is less than half as likely. Why do far fewer people take the extra step to contact a company through their mobile devices? Because many websites don’t load properly on mobile devices and it’s more difficult to keep a potential customer engaged. Zippia says up to 80% of consumers will leave a site that doesn’t display correctly on their mobile device. And, 57% won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile website either.

Check out your current website on a mobile device. Does it provide the type of user experience that will turn visitors into leads? If not, it might be time for a new vending website that is mobile-responsive.

What to do if it’s time…

If your current vending website’s look and performance are not helping your sales, explore your options. Investigate a simple refresh of your existing site and compare it to starting from scratch. VendCentral can advise you on the best route to take for a website that attracts leads and helps drive sales for your business.  For more information, reach out to info@vendcentral.com or (866) 699-8363.

Written by Emily on October 26, 2022

A growth strategy is important after your vending website is built. It will help maximize your website’s performance and attract valuable leads. Your vending website is your strongest marketing tool and online investment. Maintaining it is key to its long-term success. But what should your website’s growth strategy look like? Read our 3 steps-to-success specifically for vending websites.

1. Grow Your Web Content

Regularly adding content to your vending website has a more positive impact on marketing and sales than a redesign every few years. Therefore, you will want to add new web pages and update existing ones routinely. Consider what content will support your sales goals. Plus, what type of content will enhance your SEO. For example, let’s say you create a web page for a new service offering. Anyone who searches for that type of service should see your website suggested. The same is true if you feature trendy new products or showcase a specific coffee brewer. Get on a schedule where you regularly evaluate, update, and add content to your website.

2. Blogs are Key to a Growth Strategy

Writing blog posts is a vital way to stay current. Blogs allow you to communicate frequently with customers on a variety of topics. Blogs also show you’re an authority on top vending industry trends. Finally, blog articles go a long way toward enhancing your website’s SEO. For instance, when you write about services or products, those keywords are associated with your vending website.  Therefore, your website will show up in search results more often and attract more breakroom leads.

Here’s a bonus tip: Once you publish a blog on your website, share it on social media. It
doesn’t have to be a long post; a short sentence with hashtags will do. Your social media post gives your blog more exposure and opportunity for views. Don’t forget to add an image, which increases the chance it will be noticed.

3. Keep Your Website Clean

Every website needs housekeeping now and again. Check that your address, phone number, and email are correct. Also review all the links and menu options. You want to ensure those links go where they should. It is vital for an overall positive customer experience. After all, your website’s performance can affect how potential customers feel about you. A statistic from econsultancy reports that 80% of consumers are less likely to return to a website after a bad experience. So, don’t let a broken link stop your vending company from getting a qualified lead.

Another website section to check is service areas. If you have expanded into new cities or counties, be sure they are mentioned on your site. Ditto for product and equipment additions. You’ll want the most current information available for your existing and potential customers.

A Website Growth Strategy Opens More Doors to Success

Use our tips as a guide and create a website growth strategy of your own. It will help you keep your vending website performing at its best. Add content, write blogs, and check your online information. It will ensure your vending website remains a powerful sales tool available to customers 24/7.

If you need help with your vending website or are looking for powerful online sales and marketing tools, contact VendCentral. We specialize in digital marketing for the breakroom services industry. From a growth strategy to a marketing plan, we can maximize sales for your vending business. Reach out to info@vendcentral.com or (866) 699-8363 to get started.

Written by Emily on June 23, 2022

Your website’s About Us page is the place to share your vending company’s story. Why is that important? Because a good story can sell your vending services to customers. In particular, you want prospective breakroom customers to feel good about hiring you and buying your breakroom products.

An impactful About Us page will showcase the unique attributes of your vending business. It should have personality and represent your company’s values. The text should inspire confidence in the services you are offering. The page should resonate with the reader and make them feel good about entering into a business relationship with you. For many vending services companies, achieving the right tone and content can be difficult. Fear not. Vendcentral can help. Read on for our best About Us page tips.

The About Us needs a beginning

Start your About Us page with how and why your vending business began. Was it a family business now in the third generation? Did your vending services company grow out of a different business? Was it first started out of a desire to fulfill a specific customer or community need? Whatever the origin of your vending business story, let it be front and center.

What makes you special

Part of a good About Us page is its uniqueness. Therefore, include what makes your vending services company different from your competitor. Is it the diverse group of people that contribute to your team? Is it the family environment you create in your workplace? Have members of your company been recognized for their contributions to the vending industry? Perhaps it is your unique relationship with local providers. Put whatever makes your company different here.

Workplace values

Another About Us page must is stating your company values. What mantras do your employees embrace? Is it customer service, attention to detail, hard work, quick solutions, or integrity? Mention them. Aim for 3 to 5, not a long list that captures every value in the dictionary. Why? Because a long list will ring false. Plus, you don’t need all of them. Let’s say someone sees a company that promotes Family Values, Integrity, and Grit. That person doesn’t assume there won’t be good customer service because it wasn’t mentioned.

Why you are a great place to work

It’s not just decision-makers who read About Us pages. Potential employees do too! The About Us page will show them what your company stands for, how you care for your employees, and what your business culture is like.  A well-crafted About Us page can make your company very attractive to valuable new talent.

Personal, yet professional tone

Finding the right tone can be difficult. In vending marketing, it is important to be friendly and upbeat, yet professional. Aim for positive stories and avoid too much vending or business jargon on this page.

Short and sweet

It can be difficult to determine which details to include on the About Us page. This is especially true if your company has been in business for many years. Your company’s milestones may help guide your way. Highlight important company growth and acquisitions and the people and passions that make your company thrive.  Your goal is to make it a cohesive and well-rounded story.

Community and volunteer endeavors

People will like to hear how your company gives back to your community. Include community support and volunteer efforts, whether it is initiatives your company takes on as a whole or individual pursuits by your employees. These can be supported with pictures to bring an extra special touch to your page.

Tell the occasional anecdote

As you consider what should be on your About Us page, make sure to include anecdotes. Short, humorous stories or personal reflections from your team will stick in people’s minds. This will make your vending services company more real and memorable.

It might surprise you how many people visit the About Us page.  Because of its popularity and importance, we consider it an essential part of a great vending website!  Have a few people read your About Us page before publishing it be sure it flows well, is free of errors, and properly reflects your company and your team.  If you want help creating a vending website with a great About Us page contact VendCentral. We build vending websites that generate leads and impress customers!