What Keeps Customers Happy?

From great offers to a unique client intake process, there are many ways to get new customers through the door and into your business. It’s in returning business, loyalty, and retention that many companies fall short. So, how do you keep customers happy? If you’re looking to bolster your long-term customer experience, you’re about to find out how.

Why Keeping Customers Happy Matters

Attracting new business costs more, is much riskier, and tends to see lesser returns in all except for the most fringe or fluke circumstances. Your return business is worth many purchases, and provides a steady base for your business to build from. Plus, happy customers will in fact increase your frequency of new customers. Word of mouth is more powerful than ever, since today’s more savvy consumers rarely trust paid ads.

Have a Commanding Understanding of Your Products and Services

If a customer has a question or needs help with a problem regarding your product or service, they should have a satisfactory answer as soon as possible. Make a client wait, and they’ll be happy to look elsewhere in the future! Be sure that your team is well trained, that they have had an adequate heads-up on any new details or offerings, and that they get the support they need when a client’s needs exceed their knowledge.

Foster Loyalty

We are creatures of habit in nearly every regard. Most of us have a favorite coffee shop, or a favorite clothing store. Why do we keep going back to the same place over and over? We’re loyal to them. There are many ways to foster a sense of loyalty in clients, including:

• Getting to know the names and preferences of our clients

• Offering loyalty rewards or benefits

• Provide additional amenities and conveniences

• Seek Consistent Feedback From Your Customers

No one knows what your customers want better than they do. If your customer experience lacks in some way, or a product or service feels sub-par to them, they will want to tell you. Provide them with the means to do so! Keep a comment box, offer a (well advertised – don’t just hide it) feedback section on your website. Do whatever you can to take in every bit of advice or feedback they want to give you. It won’t all be useful. Likely far from it. But the truth will ring true, and provide you with extremely valuable clues on how to make your customers happy.

Never Be Satisfied with Good Enough

Even if your business is the forefront leader of whatever service you provide in your area, don’t get too comfortable. Stagnation means soon enough an up-and-coming competitor is going to innovate and evolve in ways you’ve neglected to. Take feedback, generate new reward programs, and improve your social media or branding campaigns.

How a Healthy Work Environment Translates to Happier Customers

Neglecting the workforce is one of the biggest crushers of otherwise successful businesses these days. No one can—nor should they be expected to—give it their all when they’re on day three of unwanted overtime, aren’t getting breaks, or their place of work neglects their needs. It cannot be overstated that your team is the backbone of your business in every way. Look after your employees, and they’ll look after your customers.

All it takes to keep a customer happy is to provide assistance as needed, to listen to them and their needs, and to ensure you’re providing adequate help in a timely manner. Keep these points in mind in the future, and you’ll be well on your way to building a happier client base!