There is no doubt to the fact that good customer service is crucial to the growth of any business. One of the few ways small businesses can outshine the competitors is focusing on delivering excellent customer service.
Indeed, your attitude towards your customers defines everything. You can leverage your personal relationships and human touch to make your customers feel special. If you manage to put customer service at the heart of your strategy and show that your company really cares, you will build genuine long-lasting relationship with your customers.
It is positive customer experience that sets you apart from the almost identical outlet down the road, and it’s vital for small businesses. If you do it right, it can provide your business with a competitive edge and help you survive in the tough economic climate we live in.
The ways through which small business can increase sales through good customer service are explained below.
A great first impression
In all sorts of everyday activities, people meet and form opinions about each other. In the case of customer service, it is even more important to make a nice first impression and show potential purchasers that your company and its representatives are reliable and trustworthy. Customer service should be polite and helpful, not aggressive from the start. The first impression can come from a phone call, an email, or a visit to your place of business. Introduce yourself, be positive and be willing to do what it takes to help.
Be honest to your customers
A great way to catch the consumer is to be honest. For instance, you can advise potential buyer not to take a specific product due to minor imperfections, but then suggest buying another which will fit their needs perfectly. You will prove credibility and Establish clear return and refund policies. Provide the services you say you provide in your correspondence and in your marketing. Think before you give any promise – because nothing destroys trust faster than broken promises.
Provide quick response to customers inquiries
You can’t allow customer service to procrastinate. The one thing that customers hate the most is to wait forever to solve an issue or to receive an explanation about the product specifications. Quick responses to consumers’ inquiries lead to greater satisfaction and higher sales.
Get to know your consumers
Every organization determines goals and targets certain types of consumers. Your customer service must know these objectives well and they should be able to recognize potential buyers. Be clear about what you are selling, how to approach buyers and the best way to handle them in case problems occur. Always be willing to go the extra mile. Customers always recognize the extra effort, because as of late the extra effort is forgone due to automation. The personal touch is missing in many areas of communication with customers, so be willing to go the extra mile and create a lasting impression.
See also: How to get active Nigerian email address list to promote your business through email marketing
Never ignore your customers
Never give precedence to a phone call or other colleagues over a customer standing in front of you. Always be willing to go the extra mile. Customers always recognize the extra effort, commitment and dedication. The personal touch is missing in many areas of communication with customers, so be willing to go the extra mile and create a lasting impression.
Always ask for feedback
Create a follow-up program that will check-in with your customers after a visit or after a purchase. This is a great way to build loyalty and increase the potential of gaining her sales. Always get the contact details of your customers (phone number or email). You can always call your customers after purchase to know how they are enjoying the product. That will mean a great deal to them and it will also get you new referrals.
credit: Tochukwu Dillion
