Top Tips For retaining your customers 

Too many businesses neglect their regular customer base and focus on winning new business. For many companies 80% of their work comes from just 20% of their customers so it is vital to take great care of that 20% to ensure they keep coming back.

Check out our top tips for retaining your key customers

• Only provide your customers with quality service and products – if you outsource your services to external companies or buy in your products from elsewhere it is vital that you have vouched for the quality of these products or services, as ultimately your customers will hold you responsible. When outsourcing, don’t just chose the cheapest company available- make sure you see samples of their work and ideally receive testimonials from their previous clients.
• Show your appreciation by offering rewards for referrals or multiple orders - if your customers are kind enough to refer your business to friends or business associates why not show your appreciation by giving them a gift, such as a bottle of champagne. This is a great way of saying thank you and may spur them on to give more referrals. Or if your customer is constantly placing large orders, why not offer them a discount on their next order to show that you appreciate their custom.
• When it comes to customer service- go that extra mile. Whether you stay at work late to complete the quote they have asked for, or arrange the express delivery of a product that they urgently need, your customers will remember when you go that extra mile to help them. They only need to be little tasks- but it’s these little tasks and great customer service that will make your customer choose you over your competitor next time they need to order.
• Offer your ideas and advice when you think it might be helpful. You are the expert in your area of business so if you feel that you can offer some useful advice on a product or service, or offer an alternative that may work better for your customer, tell them about it. By sharing your knowledge and expertise you are adding value to your product or service at no extra cost to you.
• Share your testimonials, if you have good customer feedback make it known! If you have received good feedback from your customers you should shout it from the roof tops. We are often not very good at blowing our own trumpet so if your customers are doing it for you then you should make the most of it. Post the testimonials on your blog or add them to a page on your website, you could even include them in your next e-newsletter. Real testimonials from real businesses will help to install confidence in your other customers and make them more likely to continue working with you in the future.