Let’s be honest. If you’ve ever muttered “how do I get more customers” while staring into your coffee like it might answer back, you’re not alone. Every business owner, marketer, or mildly panicked founder has been there. Whether you’re selling sourdough, software, or something in between, the question never really goes away. But the answer? It’s not “spend more on ads.” That’s like yelling louder in a noisy room; sometimes it works, most of the time it just makes people edge away.
So, let’s talk about how to actually build something that attracts people, keeps them around, and makes them want to tell their friends.
Start with the obvious: who are you even trying to reach?
Before you start tweaking ads or rewriting your homepage, you need to know who you’re talking to. Not just “people who need a CRM” or “anyone with a mouth who might eat cupcakes.” Be specific. Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) should cover demographics, psychographics, behaviors, and—this is key—pain points. What’s bugging them? What keeps them up at night?
Tools like SparkToro are great for this. You can see where your audience hangs out online, what they read, what podcasts they binge. It’s like digital people-watching, minus the awkward eye contact.
And don’t guess. Your existing customer data is a goldmine. Platforms like HubSpot or Segment can help you spot patterns. Maybe your best customers all came from a particular channel; maybe they all hate forms with more than three fields. Either way, the clues are there.
Your website can’t just be pretty. It has to work.
Think of your website as your 24/7 salesperson. If it’s slow, confusing, or looks like it was built in 2009, you’re losing people before they even read your headline. At the very least, your site should load fast, look good on mobile, and guide people toward doing something—buying, signing up, booking a call.
Some non-negotiables:
- A clear value prop right at the top
- Calls to action that don’t make people squint
- Social proof: reviews, testimonials, maybe a case study if you’re fancy
- A way to talk to someone: live chat, chatbot, even a well-placed contact button
Want to see how people are actually using your site? Tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity let you watch user sessions. It’s like sitting behind someone while they try to navigate your site; except less creepy.
If you’re local, Google Business Profile is your new best friend.
Running a local business? Then your Google Business Profile isn’t optional. It’s the digital version of your storefront window, and people are looking. 87% of consumers used Google to evaluate local businesses in 2022, according to BrightLocal.
Here’s what to do:
- Claim and verify your profile
- Add real photos, not stock ones
- Keep your hours and contact info updated
- Respond to reviews, even the weird ones
- Post updates, offers, or events to show you’re alive
Also, make sure your business info (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent everywhere. Google likes that; so do customers.
Content still works—if you do it right.
Content marketing isn’t dead; it’s just evolved. You can’t throw up a blog post titled “10 Reasons to Use Our Product” and expect leads to roll in. People want answers, stories, and occasionally,
entertainment.
So mix it up:
- Long-tail SEO blog posts that answer specific questions
- Short videos on TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts
- Live Q&As or webinars if you’ve got something to say
- Case studies and whitepapers for the folks who like receipts
Use tools like SurferSEO or Clearscope to make sure your content isn’t just good, but also findable.
Paid ads: still useful, still easy to mess up.
Paid campaigns can bring in customers fast, but only if you’re thoughtful. Don’t just throw money at Facebook and hope. Start with platforms where your audience already spends time. Google Ads for people actively searching; Instagram and Facebook for people who didn’t know they wanted you until they saw your ad; LinkedIn for B2B, if you can stomach the cost.
Some tips:
- Build lookalike audiences based on your best customers
- Set up retargeting for people who visited but didn’t convert
- A/B test your creatives. Always. Tools like Google Optimize or Meta Experiments help you do it without guesswork
And remember, the goal isn’t clicks; it’s customers.
Referral systems and partnerships: the underrated power moves.
You know what’s better than convincing someone to buy from you? Having someone they trust do it for you. Strategic partnerships and referral programs are wildly effective and criminally underused.
If you’re a dog groomer, team up with a pet photographer. If you sell software for real estate agents, find someone who coaches them. Cross-promote. Share leads. Be generous.
And for referrals, don’t just say “tell your friends.” Give people a reason. A discount. A gift. A thank you. Tools like ReferralCandy or PartnerStack can help you set this up without losing your mind.
Don’t ghost your leads.
A lot of potential customers fall through the cracks simply because no one follows up. That’s where a CRM and a little automation come in. Platforms like HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, or Zoho let you track interactions, score leads, and send emails that don’t sound like they were written by a robot.
You can:
- Automate welcome sequences
- Send reminders or offers based on behavior
- Personalize messages based on what people actually care about
And yes, it’s worth it. Nucleus Research found that marketing automation increases sales productivity by 14.5% and cuts marketing overhead by 12.2%.
The part no one wants to hear: you have to keep
tweaking.
Getting more customers isn’t a checklist; it’s a loop. You try things, you measure, you adjust. Then you do it again. The key metrics to watch?
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
- Conversion rates at each step of the funnel
- Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)
- Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
Use tools like GA4, Mixpanel, or Tableau to track and visualize it all. And don’t just look at the numbers; ask what they’re telling you. Sometimes the answer is “your landing page is confusing.” Sometimes it’s “people love your product but hate your checkout.”
So what’s the takeaway?
You don’t need a magic trick. You need a system. One that attracts the right people, brings them through a thoughtful journey, and gives them a reason to stick around. Build that, and customers won’t just come; they’ll come back.
That’s the view from the ground.
We’ll be back soon with more real-world insights.
Until then, keep building.
– Perfect Sites Blog