I’m too small. They’re too big.

They’re too smart. I don’t have the resources, or the staff, or the time, or …

News flash! There’s room in the marketplace for both big guys and small guys who provide quality products and services at a reasonable price coupled with outstanding customer service.

Small businesses make up a formidable force in the marketplace today. While it’s hard to compete based solely on price, they can position themselves to use size to their advantage by focusing on customers and by doing what the big guys don’t.

9 Ways to Compete with the Big Boys

Treat every customer as your best customer. // Make sure each person feels he or she is the most important person in your world. Know your customers’ needs and satisfy them with what you offer. That might mean, for instance, that Joe’s Antiques includes free delivery, ensuring every item is delivered in pristine condition and placed in just the right spot in customers’ homes.

Concentrate on the small details and LISTEN. // It’s so much easier for a small business to find out what’s not working; so do something to fix it and then reconnect with the customer. Keep in mind, though, that the “fix” may require giving the customer something for free or a discount off his or her next purchase until the problem can actually be fixed. Many of the “big guys” just aren’t as nimble or, quite frankly, don’t take problems seriously until there are numerous complaints.

Most small businesses pride themselves on having excellent customer service, such as answering emails personally, or sitting on the phone with customers until they are comfortable with the ordering process and terms of sale, or ensuring all questions are answered.

Establish close bonds with your customers. // Once you’ve satisfied their need, then go above and beyond to offer that special touch, tailoring services as much as possible to the individual. Personalize the experience:

“Hi John, have you gotten your son off to college yet?”

“Have you experienced any more problems since we eliminated that virus?”

“John, we now have the necklace that matches the earrings you bought your wife last month.”

One of my dentist’s hygienists once stopped by my workplace with a bag full of dental goodies in it just because she was in the neighborhood. How fun!

Your brand, the image you portray—online or in a bricks and mortar storefront—is critical. There are still many people who think the only thing needed for a brand is a logo. That’s just not true.

Know your business and what you do. Create that single focus and vision, and then be fanatical about executing on it.

Whether your business is just yourself or has 25 employees, your brand is the first thing customers experience with you. Make sure it conveys the right message and has a consistent application across all touch points—from website to social media, packaging, invoices and even how you answer your phone.

Branding can communicate credibility, professionalism, expertise, and even humor. Or, it can show inattention to detail and an uncaring attitude. Which company will your customers choose to do business with?

Any small business can look “bigger” in the online space. // You can be a company of one and look every bit as “big” and professional as the big guys you’re competing with. Give your customers quality content, keep them current and make it easy to do business with you.

Focus on a specific niche. // How often have you gone to Walmart for that specialized widget only to find they just carry the top brands or most popular items? The big guys tend to offer a little of everything, so challenge yourself to find a few things they don’t carry. Establish yourself as the go-to place for those items.

Highlight the originality of what you offer. // Maybe you use only locally grown produce. Or, you offer a specialty sausage product not found in your area. What do you do that the big guys don’t? Grab on to that differentiator and make sure everyone knows it.

Develop strategic alliances with other small businesses. // Offer services outside your skill set for a more rounded offering. Or use it to generate leads for specific services you and your selected partners offer.

Take these ideas and make your small business uniquely qualified to take on the big guys.