Owning a small business is a huge responsibility, and with countless departments, processes, and tasks to manage, sometimes it’s hard to know what to prioritize above the rest. While there is, no doubt, more than a handful of things to consider, we’ve found that good customer service is the most important attribute of a successful business. Here’s why you should prioritize improving your customer service in 2022.
1. Ensuring Customer Retention
As great as it feels to acquire new customers, you can’t deny that retaining your current customer base is not only more important but also less expensive. Selling your products and services to a new customer can cost you about five times as much as selling to an established customer, so keeping your current customers happy with good customer service is best.
2. Improving Public Image
With happy customers come glowing reviews and, if you’re really good, promising referrals. Giving your customers positive customer service experiences, thus reinforcing their loyalty to your company, makes them more likely to endorse your brand, so you can bring in more and more new customers while keeping the old around.
3. Reducing Overall Problems
Customer service isn’t just about solving one issue at a time; it’s about giving your customers the respect and attention they expect, so future issues are easier to address. Treating your customers well is known to lead to a reduction in problems with sales, legal issues, unforeseen delays, and possible miscommunication. When your customers know you care, they’re more likely to forgive these faux pas later.
4. Strengthening Employee Loyalty
Your actual customers aren’t the only ones that care about customer service. Your employees are also paying close attention. How well you treat customers shows them how well you treat and value others in general, so when your employees see you neglecting your customers they’re likely to expect to be treated the same way. Keep your employees happy and motivated by treating everyone with respect.
5. Staying in Business
The customer is king and they know it. No matter what else you have going on behind the scenes and how hard you work, your business is reliant on its customers’ choices. So every interaction they have with your company should be taken seriously. Since customer service is at the heart of customer interaction, a bad job in that department could mean a bad quarter for your business (or worse, the end of your business altogether).
Keeping customers happy is the key to any successful business, so don’t cut corners. Be sure to hire the most qualified team to take care of things. At Insta Answer, our highly-trained virtual receptionist are available 24/7/365 to handle your customers quickly, knowledgeably, and with a smile in our voices. Give us a call today!
