If you’re one of the many schools suppliers in the UK, or interested in becoming one, there are several steps you can take to make your business more appealing to educational organisations. Let’s take a look at some of the key things schools are looking for when they require a new supplier.
A diverse range of products
Many schools encourage their departments to buy from the same supplier since can help them make substantial savings by purchasing products and services in bulk. This means it’s wise to offer a wide range of products so you can cater for a host of requirements within a school.
Quick delivery times
More and more schools are buying stock as and when they need it rather than letting stock build up in cupboards where it can take up valuable space. This means many employees in charge of buying for schools often do so at the last minute. As a result, it’s vital that you’re able to get stock out to educational customers as quickly as possible.
Outstanding customer service
It’s also important that you maintain the highest standards of customer service. If a school experiences difficulty when dealing with your staff or ordering stock from you, there’s a big risk you could miss out on their custom in future. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and to order from, and ensure you’re only ever a phone call or email away whenever your customers have a query. It can be helpful to provide a specific point of contact to ensure schools are always dealing with the same member of your team when they need to speak to you.
Affordability
As schools are facing such tight budgets, it’s vital that your products are reasonably priced. Consider offering discounts to new customers as well as your most loyal and prolific ones to keep them on-side.
Visibility
An effective way to be found by schools seeking out new suppliers is to ensure you are visible online. Many schools head straight to the National Register of School Suppliers when they’re searching for companies to provide them with quality products and services. Adding yourself to the NRSS is a great way to get the visibility that you need. We also advise you to add information about your accreditations and testimonials to your NRSS profile so you can win the trust of potential customers.
Contact Incensu today
At Incensu, we are ready to hear from you if you have products and services that you feel schools would find useful. Our services are designed to make you more visible to school decision-makers and procurement professionals. The education sector can be highly lucrative, and there are plenty of opportunities to build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with schools across the UK when you join the National Register of School Suppliers.
To reach us today, give us a call on 0800 633 5722 or send a message to office@incensu.co.uk. Alternatively, complete the form on our website.
