So, you’ve decided to relocate your small business — congratulations! No doubt you’re looking at this move as more than a change of address, but as an opportunity to shake up the status quo in a way that will benefit your business.

As you develop your relocation plan, be sure to include a strategy for retaining your current loyal customers once you’re up and running in your new location. To get you started, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) offers these three tips:

1. Develop a relocation marketing strategy that’s all about customer appreciation rather than advertising. That’s what appreciation marketing specialist Victoria Wells of SendOutCards.com, an online greeting card and gift company, did. When she relocated her former construction company across town, Wells sent out eye-catching cards to let customers know about the move.

“Tell customers you are at your new location, but don’t advertise — it really sets you apart and lets your customers think about you as a unique business worth sticking with,” she told NFIB, adding that her company retained about 90 percent of its customers after the move. Social media posts can also be used for the same purpose.

2. Plan a grand opening to give your customers a reason to check out your new location. Utah-based Town & Country Bank used that strategy to great effect to retain old customers while attracting new ones. “We had a grand opening that attracted a large amount of our market population,” explains CEO Bruce T. Jensen. “It was a real party with an entertainer, free food, prize giveaways and lots of pomp.” And it didn’t stop there. The bank perpetuated the celebration by holding half-hour music shows featuring local talent on Fridays, establishing itself as a community venue.

3. Notify local networking organizations, especially if a lot of your customers belong to them. Chances are they’ll include a mention of your business in their newsletters, helping you spread the word of your relocation for free. Once you’re settled in your new community, make it a priority to join the local Chamber of Commerce and other networking groups to make new contacts and establish yourself in your new location.

By carefully planning your relocation strategy, you can make the most of being “the new kid in town” when your small business moves. Not only will you get the word out to potential new customers and clients that you’ve landed in their midst and welcome their business, but chances are many of your current followers will stick with you in your new location if you make the effort to reach out to them.
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About the Author:
Beth Longware Duff is a professional editor and award-winning writer whose work on a wide variety of topics has been published in print and electronic media. She currently writes on a wide range of topics dealing with electronic payment processing for Merchant Express and their credit card processing blog.