Why is improving customer service so important?<\/p>\n
Businesses put so much effort into finding new customers that they often overlook and forget the importance of returning customers<\/a>. Studies show that these repeat customers generally spend more money<\/a> than new customers, and are much more likely to refer your business to other people.<\/p>\n In addition, it\u2019s estimated that it is more expensive to attract a new customer than it is to retain an existing one. When someone makes a second purchase, they increase their chances of returning to your business from 27% to 45% \u2013 and this likelihood continues to grow with each additional purchase. Which is exactly why you should want to improve customer service experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n Providing a great customer experience every day should be an essential part of your business plan. Here are a few ways to make sure your sales and marketing align<\/a> better, by improving customer service.<\/p>\n This all boils down to using customer marketing<\/a> tactics. Happy customers, who feel like they are appreciated can do quite a lot for your business. Think about it, a happy customer is more likely to give good customer feedback by writing a positive review<\/a>, refer your business<\/a>, and even become a frequent shopper. When you provide a good experience, your customers will thank you \u2013 in a way that helps build your business! This is exactly why you should support customers whenever you can.<\/p>\n Studies<\/a> show that these repeat customers generally spend more money than new customers, and are much more likely to refer your business to other people.\u00a0In addition, various sources estimate that it is anywhere from 3\u201330 times as expensive to attract a new customer as it is to retain an existing one. <\/span>Customer satisfaction<\/a> is a lot of work, but it has huge power to gain you loyal customers and consistent revenue.<\/p>\n All businesses should realize that a customer service representative needs to create a good experience for all customers and that this should be a top priority. In fact, improving customer service should be a priority all the way up the chain.\u00a0 People should see their leadership, managers, company founders, etc. use good customer practices.<\/p>\n If the top tier people can\u2019t instill this practice, then the rest of the chain may not think it\u2019s a priority. People act by example, so if an employee sees that their manager doesn\u2019t care, they may stop caring too.<\/p>\n Customer service should be funneled from the top. If there is not a good focus on it from the top, people on the opposite spectrum may not feel like is it a valued component of the company either. This is just one way to improve the service given to the customer. There are many other ways to improve customer service\u00a0using relationship marketing techniques:<\/a> See our tips below.<\/p>\n Finding the right employees will set you up for success. Most of the time, good spirits, and company pride will trickle down the line. However, there are occasions when a person just doesn\u2019t fit the part. This could be a quick fix by simply providing extra training for employees so that they understand the company\u2019s values. It could also mean moving a person to a better fitting department so that they can use their skills properly<\/a>.<\/p>\n People are unlikely to forget a bad interaction with your employees. So it is essential that you hire the right people and\/or offer an extraordinary online customer support team.<\/p>\n Another important part of great service is to make sure employees know and understand who your customers are. Creating a customer company will greatly benefit you. If employees know who they are working with, they can better adjust the customer\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n Customers like when you\u00a0personalize their experience. So get to know your customers. Giving even the slightest touch of personalization can improve your customer interactions. Mention them by name \u2013 everyone loves being addressed by name.<\/p>\n But personalization goes beyond this. Other ways to personalize an experience for your customers include sending coupons for products they tend to purchase most, personally responding to their comments on social media, creating dedicated check-in call times with assigned customer representatives, and sending birthday gifts. And never underestimate the power of listening to personal details your customers mention, then weaving them into a conversation. Part of being a professional is being nice.\u00a0 Regardless of who you are dealing with, your best bet at having a good outcome is to use empathy.<\/p>\n Treat your customers with kindness, no matter if they\u2019re chatting positively, asking a question, or venting about a problem. Yes, that means controlling your temper when dealing with impatient and irate customers. That also means being nice to the people who decide they need help during the last two minutes of your workday. By being nice to your customers, you are increasing the chances of them coming back. At the very least you are avoiding a completely ruthless customer review.<\/p>\n You’re committed to addressing your customers’ needs and helping them resolve problems. Be sure that your tone doesn’t make them question your commitment. Carefully evaluate the words you use when you write or speak, as well as the way you sound (or if you’re writing a message, the way your phrasing sounds when you read it out loud).<\/p>\n Not talking to a customer in person? Double and triple-check that your messages feel kind, conversational, and personal. Tone is a lot harder to transmit in writing.<\/p>\n Careful listening is essential to understanding customers’ needs and delivering personalized service. While communication channels<\/a> may vary, your state of being an active listener should be stable<\/p>\n Use the active listening strategy: When your customers pose a question or problem on the phone, in live chat, or in person, repeat it back to them in your own words, to clarify what they\u2019re saying and confirm you understand.<\/p>\n If a customer has a pressing question or problem, walk them through the steps needed to solve it. Focus on meeting their needs rather than rushing them through the process. Yes, promptly responding to an inquiry and working towards a solution is important. However, the quality of the customer service you deliver is always more crucial than speed.<\/p>\n Being attentive is crucial in any customer service scenario. Typically, people contact customer service when they are experiencing an issue. You are their gatekeeper to having their problems solved. So when you show them you are listening to their concerns they respond back positively and remain patient. Thus, giving you more time to figure out a solution.<\/p>\n Another reason paying attention is so important is because it can give you insight into common themes and product issues. Thus, allowing you to gauge how big of an issue the problem is.<\/p>\n For example, a customer sends you a message stating that they are unable to find where to delete a customer out of their database. This isn’t the first time a customer has complained about this issue, so you come to the conclusion that your UI is difficult to navigate. You suggest updating the UI to your team and let your customer know that you are currently updating the UI, so you give the customer a workaround in the meantime. Then, once your team has made the update, you reach out to those experiencing that specific issue and let them know the new and improved way of deleting customers from their database.<\/p>\n As you can see, by simply paying attention and listening to the feedback you can gain insight into what is and isn’t working. Allowing you to make the necessary changes.<\/p>\n A great customer service rep<\/a> is essential to making your business stand out from the rest of the crowd, and it is key in customer retention. This is true for all types of business, online, brick-and-mortar businesses, call centers<\/a>, etc. For example, when a call is received in a call center<\/a>, the customer expects a quick resolution and good customer service. One bad interaction could easily keep customers from returning in the future and it could lead to receiving bad customer feedback. Overtime, you should also gather call statistics<\/a> which will help improve and implement more effective customer support strategies.<\/p>\n According to 1st Financial Training Services, 96% of unhappy customers will not complain, but 91% of them will simply leave and never come back. Which can be difficult to come back from.<\/p>\n In fact, solid\u00a0customer service skills are likely to decrease your overall problems. When your team members hold\u00a0up to company standards, and your customers all receive great support – it\u2019s a match made in heaven. This means you don\u2019t have to spend time working on ways to recoup after a negative experience or a bad review. Improving customer service is vital to sustaining and growing your business.<\/p>\n Any employee who is in contact with customers needs to know the right way to interact with them. The in-store experience is key in determining if someone will come back to shop. Your staff should be as friendly and helpful as possible and make sure the customer\u2019s experience is a pleasant one. Integrating a cloud phone system into your business is also a great way to keep in contact with your customers.<\/p>\n Even online businesses have great customer relationships.<\/p>\n For example: After customers make a purchase, send them follow-up emails thanking them for their business. You can do little things that go the extra mile as well. Like saving their cart items, or creating easy account logins (social media is great for this). Providing a great customer experience doesn\u2019t only mean being nice, it means being helpful too. For more strategies to go above and beyond with customer service, including little surprises that go the extra mile, be sure to check out our article on top customer service tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n Customers expect you to be knowledgeable about the product or service at hand. You, as an employee or business owner, need to make sure your support team is on point. As customer retention is less expensive<\/a> than locating new customers<\/a> (which is a completely different beast, itself).<\/p>\n Many businesses find it imperative to provide support in other styles. This is exactly why knowledge base<\/a> information has become popular. Customers appreciate being able to immediately get answers to their questions \u2013 even if you\u2019re not around. Today\u2019s consumers also appreciate real and quick conversations \u2013 like live chat<\/a>. Both of these options provide alternative forms of good customer service \u2013 that are actually highly effective. Another way to make the lives of customers easier is to use customer scheduling software.<\/a> This will allow customers to schedule meetings with you, even if you’re not around to answer their call.<\/p>\n It\u2019s imperative to track customer satisfaction. You should have a process for dealing with unhappy customers (considering the situation) \u2013 as it will help you fight against churn and deflect bad reviews<\/a>. Bad reviews could be detrimental to your business\u2019 reputation, and they tend to spread quickly.<\/p>\n But, the better the process you have for helping and considering customer needs, the happier your customers will be. <\/span>Working to promptly satisfy complaining customers often turns a customer\u2019s negative outlook into a positive!<\/p>\n Often, dissatisfied customers are on edge, so you\u2019ll need to kindly and calmly defuse the situation, and demonstrate your consistent care. Using the CARP method (Control, Acknowledge, Refocus, and Problem-Solve) tends to work well.<\/p>\n Having consistency is key in forming life-long and repeat customers. Customers appreciate knowing what to expect, and they will be more likely to return to your business for the consistent, quality experience they\u2019ve grown accustomed to.<\/p>\n If for example, you own a restaurant, this consistency is essential. As Buzztime<\/a> describes, make sure that each menu item looks the same, is portioned the same, and tastes the same, regardless of when someone comes in. When customers know exactly what they\u2019ll be getting, they will feel more comfortable relying on your restaurant and the consistent experience it offers. This practice will upgrade your restaurant management<\/a> and boost customer trust. You wouldn\u2019t want two people at the same table to get two completely different looking, or different size dishes if they ordered the same thing.<\/p>\n If your business customers are web-based, make sure their experience with your website is consistently smooth and easy to use. Customers will feel more at home if they know where everything is located on your site. And this comfort will continue to grow over time.<\/p>\n As such, avoid frequently updating your website. It can throw off your visitors and take away from their comfort level. Every once in a while, a fresh look is welcome. But, stay away from making drastic changes in layout and design too often. It can come across like you aren\u2019t sure what your brand\u2019s image is, or that your business is in a flip-flop.<\/p>\n You can find examples of largely successful companies that demonstrate this sort of continuity. Think of Starbucks, McDonalds, and Southwest as businesses that offer a strikingly consistent experience, regardless of when you\u2019re using their services. Bonus: some of these guys offer a loyalty program<\/a>, too!<\/p>\n Customers appreciate knowing what to expect. They will be more likely to return to your business for the consistent, quality experience. These businesses have made tweaks along the way, but the overall have stayed consistent. Honestly, putting customers first is easy. Make the customer feel important and make sure their needs have been met. Whether it be a complaint or question, there shouldn\u2019t be any hesitation to offer help. A customer-centric culture<\/a> (aka, keeping customers happy by putting their needs first at all times) is typical of a unified company – meaning internal relationships are probably thriving too. You can also try to get ahead of what customers want before they express their pain points to you by using social listening<\/a>.<\/p>\n Customer loyalty<\/a> happens when a customer knows the business is invested in them. \u00a0Because of this, customer-centric businesses generate authentic, word-of-mouth marketing.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Amping up your customer service helps unlock potential referrals. Plus, it’s just good practice. Here are some ways on how to improve customer service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":7441,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5847],"tags":[2588],"class_list":["post-3490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-customer-loyalty","tag-customer-service"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Megan Mosley","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3490"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31307,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3490\/revisions\/31307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why improving customer service is important<\/h2>\n
How to improve customer service: start at the top<\/h2>\n
Find the right people<\/h3>\n
Know the customer<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nJust be nice<\/h3>\n
Pay attention to your tone and phrasing<\/h2>\n
\n
Listen actively to meet needs<\/h3>\n
Simply pay attention<\/h3>\n
What it means to have great customer service<\/h2>\n
All businesses should provide a solid customer experience<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nCustomer service goes beyond the call center<\/h2>\n
Working to resolve bad customer experiences is vital<\/h2>\n
Another key component is consistency<\/h2>\n
Provide consistency in all forms, including your website and branding<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nBe a customer-centric business!<\/h2>\n