Design Council research shows that only one in 10 of you small service businesses, whether you work in customer service, run a financial services firm or have started a cleaning service, think design is crucial to helping you compete.
That's very different to how manufacturers think. Most UK manufacturers think design, and its results, like branding, product and service improvement, is the best way to set themselves apart. Why don't service businesses?
Design Council projects show that there are many ways design can help small businesses, whether they are manufacturers or service providers. Different design disciplines do different things for your business. As a service business you might want to:
- Promote / communicate your service
- Improve your service
- Innovate
Some design disciplines you might find helpful are:
Graphic design
Communicating and interacting with your customers can sometimes be difficult to understand and get right. Having a strong brand is crucial for any service business that wants to stick in its customers's minds.
Use our free guide to The Power of Branding.
Browse through our guide to graphic design
Product design
Getting the right products to the right customers can be the hardest service to deliver. Maybe there's a way the way the products are designed that can help make your service better?
Use our guide to product design
Experience design
How do you interact with your customers? Is it in a shop or in your offices? Do you only have a virtual connection with them online? Designers can help you improve all of these interactions and optimise your customer's experience.
Use our guide to experience design