Every day, new businesses launch in Nigeria—same products, same services, same struggle to attract customers. The marketplace is noisy, and if your business blends in, you’ll be overlooked.
Many entrepreneurs believe having a great product or service is enough, but the truth is, customers won’t buy from you if they don’t notice you. Visibility is everything.
So, how do you stand out, attract the right customers, and stay top-of-mind? Here are five simple tricks to get your business noticed.
1. Find and Own Your Unique Voice
Your business voice isn’t just how you speak—it’s what makes you different. In a sea of competition, customers need a reason to choose you.
How to Do This:
- Define what makes you different. Are you the fastest? The most affordable? The highest quality?
- Pick a brand personality. Fun and playful? Luxury and exclusive? Relatable and down-to-earth?
- Make sure your messaging is consistent. From your website to social media, let customers experience the same voice everywhere.
✅ Example: A skincare brand that focuses on hyperpigmentation for dark skin is more memorable than one that simply sells “organic skincare.”
2. Be Where Your Customers Are Looking
No matter how great your business is, if customers can’t find you, they won’t buy from you. Visibility is key.
How to Do This:
- Optimize your social media. If you’re selling fashion, be active on Instagram and TikTok. If you run a corporate service, LinkedIn is where you should be.
- Use Google My Business. When people search for your type of business, make sure they find you first.
- Leverage WhatsApp Business. Many Nigerians prefer shopping on WhatsApp—use catalogs, auto-responses, and quick replies.
✅ Example: A local food vendor who posts daily menus on WhatsApp stories and encourages customers to share orders in group chats will get more visibility than one who just waits for walk-ins.
3. Create an Experience, Not Just a Product
People remember how you make them feel more than what you sell. A great customer experience will make your business stand out.
How to Do This:
- Go the extra mile in service. A simple handwritten thank-you note or a freebie can make a lasting impression.
- Make your packaging unique. A well-branded package is free marketing—customers will share it online.
- Engage with customers beyond sales. Host Q&As, share tips, and give value, not just advertisements.
✅ Example: A hair vendor who offers free hair maintenance tips after a customer buys a wig will be more memorable than one who just sells and moves on.
4. Get People Talking About You
Word-of-mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool. People trust recommendations from friends more than ads.
How to Do This:
- Encourage referrals. Offer small discounts or rewards for customers who refer others.
- Partner with influencers (big or small). Even micro-influencers (people with 2,000-10,000 followers) can bring quality traffic.
- Create shareable content. Funny, helpful, or inspiring posts will get more shares than generic product ads.
✅ Example: A restaurant that names dishes after Nigerian slang (E Choke Special, No Wahala Rice) will naturally get people talking online.
5. Be Consistent—Customers Notice Who Shows Up Regularly
Many businesses fail not because they’re bad, but because they give up too soon. If people only see your business once in a while, they’ll forget you.
How to Do This:
- Post regularly on social media. Even if engagement is low at first, consistency builds trust.
- Follow up with leads. Many sales are lost because business owners don’t check back.
- Stay active in customer conversations. If someone asks a question today, answer immediately—not a week later.
✅ Example: A tailor who consistently posts behind-the-scenes work on Instagram will build trust faster than one who only posts finished outfits once in a while.
Conclusion: Make Your Business Impossible to Ignore
If you want customers to notice your business, remember it, and choose you over others, you have to be intentional.
- Find your unique voice and own it.
- Be visible where your customers are.
- Offer a memorable experience that goes beyond just selling.
- Get people talking about your brand.
- Stay consistent so you don’t disappear from their minds.
In a crowded market, standing out isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about being different in a way that matters.
So, what are you doing today to make your business unforgettable?
