As a business owner, you should never underestimate the importance of having a good relationship with your customers. Even if you have a loyal client base, there’s no time for complacency. Every client should feel like a VIP. Here are some top tips to ensure your customers feel valued.
Asking what your customers want
The ability to succeed in business often comes down to ensuring that you are able to respond to the needs and preferences of your customers. You may think that you’re doing a fantastic job, but when was the last time you asked your customers what they thought of your company? There is always room for improvement, and you can always take steps to enhance the experience you provide for your clients. Ask for feedback, get focus groups together and use the information to influence the way you work. Focusing on UX design can help you improve the online experience on your website, for example, while changing opening hours or employing more members of staff at busy times could eliminate service issues. You may find that even happy customers have suggestions that could benefit you going forward.
Offering a personalized service
Every customer wants to feel like an individual, rather than a statistic or an order number. You should always try and provide a personalized service, regardless of how big your business is and how many orders you accept on a daily basis. Commitment to customer service should run from the top right down to the bottom. It’s so important to understand the different service with a smile and going the extra mile can make. If you own a restaurant, for example, it doesn’t matter if the food is outstanding if the service is slow or customers feel that staff members are rude or aloof. Provide training for employees, enable them to gain confidence in potentially difficult or awkward scenarios and make customer service an integral part of the business ethos.
Recognizing loyalty
We live in a very fickle world, and for businesses, loyal customers are increasingly hard to find. Competition for new business is fierce, and everywhere you look, people are trying to sell you something. It’s very easy to have your head turned by lower prices or a great deal. As a company manager, you need to bear this in mind. Don’t assume that existing customers will stay with you. Many companies offer incentives for new clients, but this can be a double-edged sword. You may bring in new customers, but you could also lose previous clients to a competitor. Reward loyalty and make sure that your customers feel appreciated. There are lots of ways you can do this such as hosting special events, offering savings for repeat purchases or providing discounts for those who refer a friend.
Image via https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickwebb/2983197457
As a business owner, it’s your job to make every customer feel like a VIP. If you’re not committed to customer service, there’s nothing to stop your clients looking elsewhere. Focus on providing a positive experience, learn as you go, and don’t ever take your customers for granted.
Featured Image
