In today’s increasingly over-crowded online marketplace, the key to cultivating customer loyalty is to consistently follow an effective digital marketing plan – something most companies still fail to do.
Customer satisfaction should be front and center for every business. However, for a small business, it is crucial. Making customer service a top priority can make you more competitive against your larger counterpart. Let’s be honest, a company’s top asset is its customers. Happy and loyal customers not only support a business by continuing to do business with you, but also by referring you to friends and family.
As a business owner, thinking of ways to rise above the competition should revolve around giving customers something they can’t get elsewhere. Want to learn more? Below are some actionable steps you can take now to ensure you’re cultivating customer loyalty in your business.
Cultivating Customer Loyalty
Asking for Customer Feedback
If you do this on a consistent basis, it will give you the power to improve the customer’s experience moving forward. A simple online form or social media poll is a great strategy for learning where you need to tweak your sales protocols and practices.
The beauty of a small business is that you have a greater chance of making your customer service more personal and targeted. Customers can be very sensitive to whether you are genuine and sincere. Using their names and finding ways to compliment them will help to develop a trusting and loyal following.
Identify and Anticipate Customer Needs
Proactively listening to your customers and making an effort to get to know them as much as possible will help you fine-tune special deals geared towards their purchasing history.
Be sure to assure them that you are aware of and ready to fix any problems that they may encounter. An apology can go a long way when something goes wrong. Make it easy for them to complain and impress them with your willingness to listen and diffuse the situation.
Read More: How to Generate Demand for Your Products or Services
Use Social Media as a Platform to Humanize Your Business
Keep your customer aware of any new products, special sales or events. Do your best to engage with them and be prompt in responding to any comments (negative or positive) that they post regarding your business.
Encourage Customers to Write Online Reviews
Whether it’s on social media or online directories, you can capture reviews from your customers by making an easy-to-follow instruction pamphlet. The search engines love ranking those businesses who have a larger social footprint. Video testimonials is another valuable asset small business can use to illustrate how satisfied their customers are with their service and/or product.
Read More: 6 Helpful Tips for Capturing Online Reviews
Above all, say THANK YOU! Saying thank you after every transaction is one of the easiest ways to build a loyal following. Showing your customers that you appreciate their business makes them feel empowered and more likely to return!
Advertising Is Simple helps small to mid-sized business owners who are too busy running their businesses to focus on their marketing and advertising efforts. We specialize in Internet, TV, and radio advertising, and are particularly vested in Search Engine Optimization, website design, mobile website design, pay-per-click campaigns, and original content management in order to help our clientele claim their share of the marketplace.
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