Customers are the backbone of every business. And no business can survive if it doesn’t take care of its customers. In fact, managing your customers is as crucial as managing your employees. Having said that, some customers can cause unneeded stress and take up too much your valuable time.
So what should you expect from your customers and how can this make your life easier?
Get Rid of Bad Customers
Your time is valuable and there’s no reason to use up all your time dealing with customers who are hostile, rude, or who don’t want to become your customers.
Sometimes, business owners may think that offering exceptional service involves enduring the worst customers. But while it pays to offer excellent customer service, this doesn’t mean you’re obligated to tolerate customers who make you and your team miserable.
Be respectful and polite and send them on their way. However, there may be some exceptions, especially with high-profile customers whom you deem necessary to put up with. It’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing to endure to secure a customer or a sale.
And remember that you’re giving them permission to treat you badly and they’ll continue to do so if you don’t set and stick to your boundaries.
Don’t Give Free Products or Services
Some customers just like to talk. These are the customers who only want free information from you and they have no plans to buy anything from you. Yes, it’s a good idea to offer comprehensive information to potential customers, but there are plenty of other customers who are waiting and are ready to buy what you’re offering. Be self-respecting and cut off customers who are always calling and never buying.
Typically, you don’t want to create a reputation of being a tyrant, but it’s worth it to be pragmatic and sensible of your boundaries. And the goal isn’t to alienate your customers but to let them know your business operates within a reasonable structure.
So don’t be afraid to have consistent standards. Because when you respect your customers and take care of them, they’ll respect that you run your business on your own terms. This is the type of customer you want.
Customers Return and They Pay More
To provide excellent customer service and build a successful business, you have to set and stick to your boundaries. Customers reward the companies they enjoy doing business with: they keep coming back and they pay more.
In fact, according to the Gladly’s 2018 Customer Service Expectations report, 68% of customers say they’d pay more to a business that offers exceptional service.
Link – https://www.gladly.com/latest/2018-customer-service-expectations-report/
Customers Talk about You More
Providing excellent customer service goes beyond current customers, because 80% of customers will recommend a business to friends and family after great service. And 40% of happy customers will share their story on social media. This will grow your business and generate more profits.