Business services are the activities that benefit companies without supplying them with physical goods. These activities are usually used for marketing, production, safety, cost and convenience purposes. These services are essential for many businesses, especially larger firms that need to keep up with the ever-changing work demands.
They also help to manage costs and improve work-life balance for employees. Some of the common types of business services include:
Pest and animal control professionals handle occasional infestations, helping to maintain the health and safety of the company’s staff. Maintenance service workers fix appliances and other malfunctioning equipment.
Tech support professionals help companies and individuals troubleshoot computer or network issues quickly so that employees can continue working.
In-office day cares are available to allow workers to take breaks and relax during the workday. This service can be especially beneficial for people who travel frequently or who have young children.
Real estate agents arrange rental spaces for companies that need to rent an office or retail space. They also help companies find workspaces in areas with lower rent prices.
Utility service providers provide water, electricity and gas to offices, keeping them running smoothly. Some utility service businesses also provide mobile phone and internet services.
They can also be involved in the delivery of materials and supplies to a business or other location. These services are commonly provided by wholesalers or manufacturers.
The key to successful service-based businesses is to make them attractive and useful to a specific group of customers. They must meet customers’ needs and expectations and offer them something that they couldn’t get anywhere else.
To do this, they must be designed carefully and effectively to serve those needs and desires. They must be tailored to the unique experiences that buyers want and, above all, they must have a strong customer-branding identity that reflects the value they deliver.
Unlike product companies, service businesses must be designed to address these needs and desires in a way that meets or exceeds customer expectations. They must deliver value to their customers, and they must be able to do so at a price that’s competitive with their rivals.
A service business’ success depends on four critical elements: a solid service offering, a good service brand, excellent delivery and a great customer experience. To design a service offering that will be profitable, managers must learn to think about these four aspects differently than they do with product offerings.
Start with an idea
One of the most difficult parts of starting a service-based business is coming up with a good idea. You must have a vision for what you can provide your customers, and that idea must be solid enough to justify the risk and expense of running your company.
Be aware of your competitors and their business models. This can help you identify potential gaps in your service offering, which you can fill with better or cheaper alternatives.
When designing a service offering, remember that consumers’ preferences are often more evaluative than they are consciously conscious of. This means that they may be more likely to judge your service by the experience they have than by its price or other factors.
