A great customer experience begins with a memorable first impression. Make sure you follow these tips to leave a lasting, positive memory for your customers that will increase the likelihood of them coming back again and again.
1) Be helpful
When a customer comes in, ask open-ended questions that encourage them to tell you what they need. Listen to their needs and give helpful suggestions. Focus on how your product or service can help solve their problem, rather than trying to sell things they don’t need.
2) Give Your Customers What They Want
Don’t be afraid to offer your honest opinion when your customers aren’t sure about what they want. Customers value your expertise and honesty, so if you’re not sure which option is best for them, talk to other staff members or make a call to the company’s headquarters before making suggestions.
3) Be Polite and Courteous
Keep in mind that customers are under no obligation to buy anything, and chances are they’re not intentionally rude or condescending.
Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself if a customer is giving you a hard time, but don’t ever lose your temper either. If the customer becomes angry, it’s probably best to apologize, accept blame for any problems, and leave feedback so it can be addressed by management.
4) Don’t Take Anything Personally – It’s Just Business
If a customer is rude, angry, or aggressive, it can be tempting to return the favor or give them a hard time back. But don’t take things personally because you’ll only win if you have a positive relationship with your customers, so always treat everyone with respect and handle them in the same professional manner you’d like to receive.
5) Take Care of Your Customers’ Needs Before Their Wants
If your customer is asking for something, there’s usually a reason they need it right away. If this isn’t an emergency situation, find out how soon they really need it and if that timeline fits into your company’s production schedule. If you can’t meet the customer’s request, find out if they need anything else done so you can work with each other to come up with a solution.
6) Show Appreciation for Feedback That is Given in Order to Improve Future Service or Products Offered
If your company receives feedback that will help improve their service or products offered, make sure the person who left the feedback is notified that you received and appreciated their input. This can go a long way to maintain a positive relationship with your customers.
7) Have Company Swag Available
“Make yourself and your company more accessible to customers by offering branded items like mugs, pens, or luggage tags”, says Melvin Brewing. Word of mouth continues to be the best advertising, so encourage your current customers to spread the word about your company and what makes it special.
Conclusion
Make sure you follow these simple tips to leave a lasting, positive impression with your customers that will make them more likely to come back again and again.
Do you have any other tips for leaving memorable impressions with customers? Share them in the comments below.