Article

How to Improve Your Customer Service

Written by Jenilee Maniti

Topic: Marketing StrategyPublished June 24, 2011
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Customers are the most important player in a business. Without customers a business will not survive since they are the source to keep a business going. For this reason, it is vital that they are given enough importance. Some businesses even hire customer service personnel to ensure that their customers are being taken care of and their needs are being met.

Here are some simple ideas on how to improve your customer service:

1. It is important that you keep in contact with your customers regularly. This will in making them remember you all the time. One way to do that is offer them a free subscription to your newsletter. You could also ask them if they want to be sent regular updates whenever new products are being introduced or business updates. It is also important that you make a follow up if they are satisfied with their purchase.

2. Customers hate it when they are having a hard time navigating your website. It is also frustrating if questions are not answered real time. In order to avoid this, have a FAQ or Frequently Ask Questions page on you website. This will make it easier for your customers to get answers with their question. You could also ask for feedback on how you can improve your website in form of a survey.

3. Getting quick answers is important. If customers send you questions or complaints, try to answer them as quickly as you can. Answer all e-mails and phone calls immediately. If it is something that needs major attention, you as an owner should attend to them personally, to show that you care for them as your valued customers.

4. Provide several and convenient ways on how customers can contact you. Some ways of contact you can use are email, toll free phone numbers, fax or even live chat if you can afford it.

5. Make sure that your employees are aware and observe your customer service policy. Make your employees aware that customers have different wants and needs and they should be flexible in handling customers as they have different personalities. Encourage to provide excellent customer service through incentives.

6. For your loyal customers, it pays that you send them freebies. Send them email during special occasions like birthdays and holidays. Provide discounts or extra gifts when they purchase a big amount.

7. Being polite is important in order to keep your customers. Make them feel that you understand their frustrations whenever they complain on something. Admit your mistakes and apologize if necessary.

8. Most businesses nowadays provide rewards through point system. If you can, try to apply the same on your business. They earn points for every purchase they make which in turn they could exchange it for an item. This encourages them to purchase for more just to hit the points they are aiming.

9. Building a strong and lasting relationship with your customers is the most important thing you can do to improve your customer service. If you can, try to organize parties, special events or even luncheons for your customers. This will make them feel important if you include them on your company events.

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