Getting new customers is how your business grows. It brings fresh energy, new opportunities, and steady revenue. While keeping current customers happy is vital, attracting new ones helps you move forward and expand.
Customer acquisition today requires a mix of strategies tailored to your business and audience. The good news is you don’t have to do it all at once.
By focusing on a few proven methods, you can bring in the right people, turn them into paying customers, and build lasting relationships.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 powerful customer acquisition strategies to help you grow your customer base and take your business to the next level.
10 Proven Customer Acquisition Strategies to Grow Your Business
Bringing in new customers is key to growing your business, and there are plenty of ways to do it effectively. Here are 10 simple and proven user acquisition strategies to get more customers and grow your business:
1. Build a Strong Online Presence
Your online presence is the first impression most people have of your business, so it’s important to get it right.
Make your website clean, fast, and easy to use. A cluttered or slow website can drive visitors away before they even get a chance to learn about what you offer.
To strengthen your customer acquisition process, ensure your website is mobile-friendly, with clear calls-to-action like “Sign Up” or “Buy Now” so visitors know exactly what to do.
With new rulings, if TikTok isn’t an option in your area, focus on platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts to engage your audience.
Keep your Google My Business profile updated with accurate hours, location, and services. A polished online presence builds trust and helps your business grow.
2. Optimize for SEO
SEO drives 53% of website traffic, making it one of the most effective ways to get noticed.
Focus on high-quality content that answers real questions your audience is asking. Incorporate Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) principles to rank higher in search results.
Showcase your expertise by writing detailed guides, sharing real-life examples, and highlighting customer reviews.
Voice search is also growing, with 71% of users preferring voice queries for quick answers. Optimize your site with conversational keywords so it’s easy for voice assistants to recommend your business and reduce your overall cost to acquire new clients.
Local SEO is another essential piece of the puzzle. Include location-specific phrases like “best pizza near me” or “plumber in New York” to attract nearby customers.
Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find the most effective keywords for your business. Showing up on Google makes it easier for customers to find you.
3. Use Content Marketing
Businesses that use content marketing see 6x more conversions than those that don’t.
Start by figuring out the questions your customers are asking. Then, create blog posts, videos, or guides to answer those questions.
Once you know what they need, create blog posts, videos, or guides to address those issues. For example, if you run a fitness business, a blog post about “5 Quick Home Workouts” could attract people interested in staying active.
Videos are even more effective, as 84% of people say they’ve been convinced to buy a product after watching one. Sharing this content on social media and through email campaigns helps you reach more people.
Don’t stop at one format. Experiment with podcasts, infographics, or webinars. Offering valuable content consistently builds trust and keeps your audience coming back for more.
4. Get Familiar with Social Media
Social media is where most people discover new brands. Start by choosing platforms where your audience spends the most time.
Instagram and Facebook are perfect for visual content, while LinkedIn is great for professional networking.
Short videos, like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, are especially engaging. Videos under 60 seconds tend to perform the best because they’re quick to watch and easy to share.
But posting content is only half the job. Social media is also about building relationships. Respond to comments, answer questions, and engage with your audience to show that you care.
This approach helps you connect with people on a personal level, turning followers into loyal customers.
5. Start Email Marketing
Email marketing is a cost-effective way to reach your audience.
It delivers an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent. Build your email list by offering something valuable like a free guide, discount, or exclusive content.
Once people sign up, send them personalized updates, helpful tips, or special offers. For example, share beginner-friendly tutorials with new subscribers and advanced tips with loyal customers.
Segmenting your audience makes your emails even more effective.
Tools like Mailchimp or Klaviyo let you personalize your campaigns and track their performance. With the right approach, email can be one of your most reliable customer acquisition tools.
6. Try Paid Ads
Paid ads help you reach your audience quickly, especially if you’re looking to grow fast.
Platforms like Google and Facebook control over 80% of global digital ad spending, making them reliable places to start your campaigns.
If you run a small business and are new to paid advertising, begin with a small budget and experiment to find what works best for your business.
Test different headlines, images, and messages to see what grabs attention.
Once you’ve found what works, consider using retargeting ads. These are particularly effective because only 2% of visitors make a purchase on their first visit, but retargeting can bring back 26% of those visitors.
For example, if someone leaves an item in their cart, show them a personalized ad as a gentle reminder. This approach focuses on the people most likely to buy from you and helps you maximize your ad spend.
7. Encourage Customer Referrals
Referrals are a powerful way to gain new customers. Most people trust recommendations from friends and family over traditional ads. A referral program gives your customers a reason to spread the word.
Offer simple incentives, like “Refer a friend and get $10 off your next order.” Make it easy to share referral links via email or social media.
Tools like ReferralCandy can help you track and manage your program.
When happy customers promote your business, their recommendations carry more weight than any ad you could create. It’s a win-win for both your business and your customers.
8. Offer Free Trials or Freemium Models
Letting people try your product before committing is a great way to build trust. Businesses offering free trials see 60% of trial users convert to paying customers.
During the trial, highlight the best features of your product and show how it solves real problems. For example, if you offer productized service, let the clients explore the basic perks while showcasing the value of premium options.
Follow up with trial users to answer questions and offer limited-time discounts to encourage upgrades. Free trials make it easier for customers to commit, as they’ve already seen the value of what you offer.
9. Partner with Other Businesses
Collaborating with other businesses can help you reach a new audience with minimal effort. Look for businesses that complement yours, not competitors.
For example, a spa could partner with a yoga studio to offer joint promotions.
Co-host events, run social media campaigns together, or create bundled deals. These partnerships benefit both businesses by sharing costs and introducing each brand to new customers.
Partnerships work because they bring added value to customers while expanding your reach. It’s a smart way to grow without stretching your resources.
10. Share Customer Testimonials and Reviews
Reviews and testimonials are incredibly effective for building trust. 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions.
Ask happy customers to share their experiences and feature these on your website, social media, or email campaigns.
Video testimonials work especially well, as 54% of people prefer watching reviews over reading text. Include details like before-and-after results or real names to make the testimonials relatable.
Positive reviews give potential customers the confidence to choose you.
Even if you get a negative review, respond professionally to show that you care about customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
You’ve now learned 10 simple customer acquisition strategies to help bring in new customers and grow your business.
Start with one or two strategies, such as improving your website or utilizing social media more effectively. Test what works best for you and keep refining your approach. Over time, you’ll discover the methods that truly drive results.
Remember, happy customers are your greatest asset. They’ll not only stay with you, but also recommend you to others.
If you want to make everything easier, Agency Handy is the tool you need. It helps you manage clients, projects, and tasks all in one place.
FAQs
How do customer acquisition strategies work in CRM?
Customer acquisition strategies in CRM involve tracking leads, nurturing them with personalized interactions, and automating follow-ups. A CRM organizes data to ensure no opportunity is missed, streamlining the process from lead to loyal customer.
What’s the best B2B customer acquisition strategy?
For B2B, focus on building trust through content like case studies, using LinkedIn for networking, and offering value-added services.
What’s the difference between organic and paid acquisition?
Organic acquisition is free and focuses on building traffic through SEO, social media, or content, while paid acquisition involves advertising like PPC or social media ads for faster results. Both can work well together.
How do I choose the right strategy for my business?
Choose based on your goals, audience, and resources. If you need long-term growth, focus on SEO and content. If you want quick results, invest in paid ads. Test and optimize as you go.
