 |
| By placing the customer
at the center of all your thinking you create an environment which fosters long term
success. A key component of success lies in your ability to generate repeat and referral
business, and a sure way to do this is by forming lasting relationships with your
customers. Here are 10 things you can do:
1. Set yourself apart from the competition. Give
your customers something they can't get elsewhere. This is your niche on the Web. Make
your niche something of real value over time and people will come back again and again. |
|
|
|
2. Don't waste time on activities
that can be automated. For instance, let your email program filter and route your incoming
messages automatically, use a template to build new pages for your site, etc.
Automation frees up your time so you can concentrate on the important stuff - your
customer.
3. Eliminate the time you spend you on non-productive tasks. For instance, unsubscribe to
newsletters your never read instead of deleting them each time. Handle paperwork one time
and then file it instead of stacking it in a pile. All these little things add up to lots
of wasted time that could be spent on your customer.
4. Concentrate your efforts on marketing to the
people that need your service. Start by auditing your marketing and sales data to find out
how and why a sale is made. Eliminate or change marketing strategies and services that
don't serve the needs of your customers.
5. Respond to email quickly. Response time should be under 24 hours. By responding quickly
you send the message that your customers are important and you are genuinely interested in
meeting their needs.
 6. Follow up on sales orders. Make
sure your customer is thoroughly satisfied with their purchase and offer additional
services related to their purchase.
7. Give refunds promptly and unconditionally.
8. Ask your customers to fill out a survey so you can better understand their needs. Offer
a valuable freebie or a discounted service for participating. This strategy establishes a
dialogue between you and the customer and helps determine the direction of your business.
9. Publish a newsletter. Give your subscribers valuable tips and information they can't
get anywhere else. Offer subscriber-only discounts and freebies.
10. Make your site easy to navigate. Customers value their time and appreciate finding
what they want quickly and effortlessly.
Imagine every customer as a real person standing in front of you. What are his needs and
how well are you addressing these needs? Let this image guide you in all aspects of your
business and you'll discover hundreds of ways to form lasting customer relationships.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brett Krkosska provides how-to advice on small
and home-based work issues. Get start-up guidance, business ideas and inspiration at http://www.HomeBizTools.com. Become
a subscriber for a
fresh and original perspective on today's business issues.
Do you know someone who would
benefit from this article? We can send your friend a strictly confidential, one-time email
telling them about this article. Your privacy and your friend's privacy is your
business... no spam! Click here and
tell a friend!
Reprint this article in your ezine, ebook, website, or through
print publication.
REPRINT TERMS:
- You may re-format article for your publication. However, the
content must remain unedited and author's resource text at bottom of article must be
included with publication.
- Article may not be used in Unsolicited Commercial Email.
- Distribution to email lists MUST be opt-in only.
- Please set URL's and/or email addresses as hyperlinks.
|
