Good Customer Service Builds Your Customer Base and Customer Loyalty
Read More: Original article posted at Relationship Marketing in Business Success in Today's Web World!
Good customer service becomes an added value in your internet marketing content. Beginning with 
your 
central location, whether it is a blog or website, your visitor looks for assurance that their customer needs will be met. This is perhaps more so with internet marketing for the simple reason, initially there is no personal contact. You have a wonderful opportunity for establishing a relationship in your marketing to your customer by following some simple steps in customer service.
This article outlines proven strategies that enhance the success rate in "closing the sale", or as another would say, "opening the door" for long happy customer relationships.
Customer service is declared to the potential customer by including three elements in your marketing. In his book, Jump Start Your Business Brain, Doug Hall of Eureka! Ranch in Ohio lists this advice.
- Make sure you are perfectly clear about the benefits your customers will receive by purchasing your product or service. There should be absolutely no doubt whatsoever regarding the benefits expected.
- Your customer should have complete satisfaction that you are able and will deliver the on the benefit promise. This trust increases your success rate at closing sales.
- If you can demonstrate that your product or service surpasses what the competition has, or better yet it is not easily available anywhere else, then customer loyalty is earned.
Customer expectations are high today with the daily multi exposure to marketing. Therefore maintaining customer service is a task that requires constant attention.
You have a great opportunity for achieving an excellent customer service rating when you are marketing
a product or service. Build in a customer survey form in your blog or website to provide.jpg)
for other visitors, validation of the service they can expect from you through your customer base.
You can over deliver by making sure product delivery exceeds expected transport time. This builds customer trust.
When you treat your customer’s problems as if they are you own, paying close attention to detail and solutions, you earn customer loyalty.
As you listen to customer needs and communicate how you can meet those needs, your customer never feels ignored. They will return to you for further purchases believing that they will be well served.
Always be transparent in your conduct of business. If you find yourself in a product or service supply delay, communicate in a timely manner with an expected solution to the problem. If your customer asks for services you cannot provide, say so and refer them to reliable sources to meet that need. This strengthens your customer’s belief that you have their best interest at heart.
Having loyal customers is the best investment you can make. Determine to not be complacent about your customers. Maintain regular communication with them using email, but also the phone and occasionally a card or note of thanks.
These simple steps go a long way to build a solid customer base and from there customer referrals.
You can access complete step by step tutorials that will guide you through this marketing process if you are just beginning the journey of internet marketing at Renegade University.
You can keep up with all the Renegade University and Professional updates at Renegade Professional News.
Pat Campbell is a Renegade Professional and Super Guide. She has learned Attraction Marketing with Mike Klingler since 2002. Online Attraction Marketing has been a breath of fresh air after years of cold calling, return calling with poor results. Pat is an RN and knows the effort it takes to juggle your passion around fulltime day job commitments and life. It is exhilarating to develop strength and skill set within you that is brand new. Begin your learning curve atRenegade University.
Views: 1,525
| 
Comments: 24 
About the Author: Pat Campbell
Member Since: 06/30/2008
Company: Mannaprise Global Inc.
Industry: MLM
Primary Web Site: http://www.campbellpat.com
Good Customer Service is just good business
Pat
Good customer service has helped many brick and mortar businesses achieve a very good reputation which result in greater sales and profits. It is so much easier and less expensive to get a sale from a satisfied customer that from a totally new customer. In many cases providing this can be accomplished on the phone or in person.
With an internet business, as you point out, you need to build this expectation of excellent customer service or you just won't get the sale. You mention customer experience or testimonials as one way of convincing folks that they will receive good service.
I would suggest another very good way to ensure good customer service is though the use of a free trial or guarantee. This gives the potential customer the needed insurance that they will get what they wanted.
Very clear,concise,well written article.
Good Point
You make a good point David regarding a free trial and/or guarantee. Folks who are looking for companies to do business with should have that provision clearly understood before they make a decision.
Remember When
Remember when you could go into any store and get really great service? The Mom & Pop stores where they knew you and could anticipate your needs and wants and provide them for you. This is the meaning of service. Something that is sorely missing from so many shopping experiences. Something that people are now demanding and businesses, smart ones, are listening to and doing something about. Smart businesses are putting their focus on the consumer and making sure that they are completely happy with their shopping experience and not only will they come back themselves, they will tell everyone they know. It has a snowball effect.
Very well written! Thanks for sharing.
Michelle
Yes Yes Yes!
Wonderful article Pat Campbell, customer service should be required training for any business owner, because without customers you have no business.Remember we're dealing with people here and people want to know that they're getting what they paid for.
If this means that you have to re-do a job or service you'd better take of it, and make sure you have a smile on your face while you're doing it.
Communication is the most important thing here, it's the little things that matter the most. Keep your customers happy and you'll have them for years to come.I've had one customer that I've had for going on 17 years and I know this would have not been possible without constant "GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE"
long happy customer relationships
Customer service is vitally important and must be developed. It can "make of break" any business.
SnowBall Effect and Return Customer
@Michelle, you are so right, making an extra effort to offer a personable customer touch makes your Internet marketing gather momentum.
@Kevin, wow, 17 years of happy customer experience reveals a lot about your customer service commitment.
@Claire, we are certainly in agreement. Thanks.
Customer Service is what makes or breaks a business!
Businesses can't survive without great customer service. That goes for both Online and Offline. There are just too many other options available for people to put up with bad customer service. I have personally walked form many businesses, and will never return, and tell many others to avoid XYZ because of atrocious customer service. It is always refreshing to come across a business that is doing it right!
Customer Service
Great article Pat about customer service. This is one of the ways you can really stand out with your competition. What people don't realize is that bad customer service tends to spread like a wild fire while good customer service is not as praised as much. It can take just one bad case of customer service for it to hurt your business especially with how fast people can communicate on the internet. Stressing good customer service like you did in this article is vital to a thriving business
Another Bulls Eye and A Lesson
As usual, Pat comes through with great content and gives great customer service.
How does she do this? Well, you will have noticed that she has taken the time to actually respond to some of the comments posted here.
Customer service can be in many forms and even if the customer has not purchased something, it doesn't mean that they are not a customer.
I am a customer here as I comment on this article. I am finding value to which I need to give my appraisal. And Pat, being a great customer service representative, makes sure that all of her customers, ie commentators, are happy.
There is a lesson here folks.
Yes => it's the THANK YOU Economy
Hey Pat:
Yes - you have "nailed" it! >:)
In fact, Gary Vaynerchuk (one of the Internet's BIG gurus) agrees totally...
Here's his "great" new Video, titled =====> The THANK YOU Economy...
-----------------------------------
http://tinyurl.com/yhmxran
---------------------------------------
Excellent article - many thanks.
Warmly / Peter A.
It's Really About Them, Not Me
I'm not sure why it's so hard to treat customers the way we would like to be treated, but it can be a challenge and require focus.
I remember a study done that proved that drivers would pull out of a parking space slower if they knew someone was waiting for it. Is it the position of power that has people confused about how to act?
Thanks for reminding us where our focus and dedication should lie. I'll spend my money with the best customer service every time.
Customer driven philosophy is key
Pat you have put it all so clearly.
Products come and go but customer service must always be top quality. If you have a customer driven philosophy, knowing your customer and their changing needs, gives you the advantage in servicing them better.
By listening and learning you create long-term relationships,enthusiastic referrals, and better allows you to create new products and services too.
A friendly, responsive, flexible customer service wins every time.
As business owners online we need to be mindful of this valuable service. People first not product.
Good Customer Service Before You Even Talk To Your Customer
Hi Pat,
Excellent article. I bet you give outstanding customer service in your personal business.
You mention that your blog or website must give assurance to your potential customers that their needs will be met. This is before you have even communicated with them. I certainly agree with that.
Like you say, being honest in outlining the benefits of your products is important. Make sure you can deliver on what you promise.
Providing value-based information on your website or blog gives a strong indication that you are there to help them and give them solutions. You don't want to give the impression that you just want their money.
Pat, you always come up with such good reminders for all of us.
Well said...
Pat,
I would like to say, your article is right on target, well said.... Customer service is the number one key when it comes to customer loyalty.. You know customers will continue to come for years, if the service is right on target. Just like Kevin said, he has had a customer for 17 years.
Again, thank you for a timely article, Pat.
Donna Wells
Where Did Customer Service Good
Pat
You made some very important points. To often today the service a customer receive is disappointing, so they never forget the bad service, and will go out of their way to find the same product or service somewhere else. They will tell others of the good service they receive.
This is true whether it's a Internet, MLM or Brick and Mortar business.
When doing business on the internet we have to get people to know, like, and trust us. A good way to get trust is through great customer service, not just good.
It's not about perfection
I totally agree with the importance of good customer relations. Too often it is assumed that once the sale is made, that's it. I contend that it is just the beginning. It is much cheaper to keep a customer than it is to find a new one.
We need to keep that in mind with each of our customers and continue investing in those relationships with lots of value.
Good Customer Service Can Change the World
I know this sounds really impossible but my experience is that people are really in a 'fear' mode when they buy things these days whether online or off. They come with a predispositions that they are going to be ripped off, ignored and taken advantage of.
When you can provide good customer service, that gesture of goodwill can change someones perspective even if just for the day. What a ripple effect good customer service can have. See, you can change the world.
Stay Top of Mind
It's amazing how staying in touch periodically with your customers after the sale can go a long way in building that customer loyalty. Many times this is often overlooked and then people are left wondering, why didn't that person ever call me for a repeat sale. Make yourself unforgettable to your customers!!
Two-Way Communication is Crucial to Good Customer Relations
Great article Pat!
We work so hard to get our customers, and sometimes fall short on making sure we keep them happy. Having good two-way communications with your customers is so important -- that is, communications from you to your customers, and from your customers to you.
As you point out, there are many ways to have good communication from you to your customers,including phone calls, emails, cards, ezine, and conference calls. You can create a calendar with your plan for staying in touch with your customers.
You also want to encourage your customers to communicate with you. Questionnaires are a great way to gather information from your customers and to show that you are listening to their suggestions and concerns. You can use your website to help your customers communicate with you. For instance, you can have a “contact us” area for them to submit questions and comments, as well as comment areas on your blog. You can also install a live chat system on your site (just google “live chat software for websites” and you’ll find a number of options).
Here is a video on ways to foster better communication with your customers, and other stakeholders (such as employees, the media, joint venture partners).
http://www.screencast.com/t/LnPSyCK2RJ
Many thanks for the great tips and important reminder Pat!
I love it!
Thanks Peter,
I just watched Gary and totally embrace what he has to say about good customer service.
Hey I might even buy the book! Thanks for the link and the kudos. I appreciate you.
Learning from my Readers
@Becky, no confusion now after watching the video link Peter Arnold supplied. :-) Truly, the business that pays attention to their customer, deserves your loyalty.
@Angela, thanks...Responsive and flexible. I like those words in relationship to customer service. They go a long way to keeping customers. We all know it is better business to maintain customer loyalty than to depend on seeking new customers.
@Scott, well I have been in business for 12 years before Internet marketing,I have customers who remain with me from the beginning. Thank you Scott for your vote of confidence.
@Rallie. It's true, if you have a customer with a negative experience with you, your product or company....the negative press and fallout can be widespread. Better that you go the second mile to rectify the problem, give a refund or whatever is asked for. That kind of customer service is another way of building credibility. The word gets out.
@Deborah, the "fear mode" may stem from an experience, or someone else's loss that they know of fueling distrust. A successful marketer works at earning their customer's trust.
@LeeAnn, isn't that true, a happy customer, ready to buy another month's supply and no one calls to set it up. Simple customer service. We cannot listen to the stories in our heads that interfere with picking up the phone.
@Cindy, wow, I watched your video. Your professional expertise, along with warm, open communication does a great job fleshing out important principles and mechanisms of great customer service. Thanks for that and for your comment.
Keeping Customers
It is easier and more profitable to keep a customer than to find a new one. Many marketers focus on trying to get new customers and all too often end up ignoring their current customers. Provide good service and stay in touch with them and they will stay with you long time and purchase frequently.
Lip Service is not Customer Service
So well written Pat!
There are so many companies who only pay lip service to customer service but in today's economy building relationships and truly caring for your customers needs is the only way to survive in business.
I love the idea of "Opening the door" instead of "Closing the Sale.
Find a great range of Ed
Find a great range of Ed Hardy products. Ed Hardy Women's Ellerise Lowrise Sneaker · Ed Hardy Women's
thanks for your post.perhaps you will like cheap ed hardy
We will surprise to find the high quality cheap Ed Hardy in much.
Everyone will focus on ed hardy
Shop Simply Dresses for dresses, 2010 prom dresses, homecoming dresses, formal dresses, and evening wear. Find formal dresses for prom and bridesmaids
evening dresses
cocktail dresses
formal gowns
graduation dresses
Evening Dresses and Gowns, Mother of the Bride Dresses, Formal Dresses, in Missy and Plus sizes for immediate delivery.