Custom promotional giveaways are the best way to promote your business. They reach a significantly larger number of people than print or radio advertising alone, and help make your current and potential consumers feel appreciated. After all, everyone loves free stuff! There are almost as many companies offering promotional items as ideas for items themselves, and it can be difficult to figure out which company is the best one. Here are some things to keep in mind when searching online for custom promotional giveaways.
Carefully Examine The Website
Before even beginning to look for custom promotional giveaway items, take the time to carefully review the website in detail. Check to see if there is a physical address listed, and if so, where the company is located. You can also call the Better Business Bureau in that state to see if there have been any major complaints registered against them. Give any phone numbers listed a call and listen for a professional sounding answering service or receptionist. Any reputable company will either have an answering service or a live receptionist, so be cautious if the phone seems to ring forever, or if the call is answered with a simple “hello”.
After this has been determined, review the site to be sure they do have the items you need. Carefully read the item descriptions, and don’t buy based off of the picture alone. A reputable company will describe relevant details such as product composition, and the materials the product uses. When opting for higher priced items, be picky about quality. There is no point in spending a lot of money for something that is cheaply produced or poorly constructed.
Is The Return Policy Acceptable?
If the company is relatively new, carefully review their return policy. Most companies will have this policy clearly posted on their website, but if it’s not don’t hesitate to call and ask. If the products are not up to the standards promised on the site, be sure that you won’t be out your hard earned money. While many companies no longer offer cash refunds, there should be some provision in place for items of an unacceptable quality or items received that are not as pictured.
Do They Accept Major Credit Cards Securely?
Be especially wary of any websites that do not accept major forms of payment, such as major credit cards or PayPal. Less than reputable sites may demand e-transfers or other uncommon forms of payment. Also be sure that when you enter your credit card information, it is encrypted and secure. A surefire way to be certain your information is protected is to call and ask what kind of security the company uses. Another way is to check for “https” at the top of the web address.