Customer Service Tips: 8 Ways to Improve Customer Service

If you want to increase your business profits, take a look at the customer service that you are currently providing to your clients. Customer service has a big influence on your income - even the success or failure of your business.

1. Start by listening. Listening is an important sales skill because it gives you a chance to find out what your clients want. Not surprisingly, this applies also to customer service. Not sure what kind of service your clients expect? Ask customers directly or you can even email or hand out a short survey. A simple example could be asking, "Would you like me to follow up with you next week?"

2. Encourage feedback from clients. People like giving their feedback. They feel valued and a part of your company's community. You can often get very helpful information that will help you make your customers happier and increase profits - for free. When your clients feel more involved in your business's activities, they tend to develop customer loyalty and usually, increased sales.

3. Establish clear and simple customer service policies for your employees to follow. If you have a staff, it is important that everyone is clear on what your customer wants and how you will provide them service. A list of guidelines may suffice, or hands on training may be needed to communicate the type of customer service you want to deliver. When employees are given authority to make decisions, it's also good for company morale.

4. Give guarantees on your products and make customer returns easy. People want to know that you stand behind your product or service. They don't want to hassle with uncomfortable or inconvenient returns. If they have a bad experience in this category, it's likely they won't shop with you again - or refer others.

5. Don't blame the customer. You've probably heard this one before: "The customer is always right". In real life, this may not be true all the time. However, even if a buyer is wrong... if we want her doing business with us again, we want to let her know that she is right.

6. Follow up with the buyer shortly after a purchase is made. Check that he is satisfied and to answer any questions he might have. In addition to giving great customer service, you might find that the buyer wants additional parts, accessories or service at this point in time, therefore increasing your sales.

7. If you make a mistake, admit it and solve the problem immediately. Take Responsibility, and customer notice - it's a personality trait that people respect. As we all know, people do business with people they like. Ideally, you want to become that person.

8. Keep in contact with clients. Communication can be through things like holiday gifts, birthday cards or postcards informing recipients of "discounts for valued clients". When you have consistent communication with your customers, they know that you haven't forgotten about them. And guess what? They are less likely to forget about you. If your business is internet-based, think about sending out a monthly or quarterly e-zine. You could also mail out a print newsletter. Include topics pertaining specifically Home Business Expert

to your industry that your clients are likely to be interested in - and will actually read.

The bottom line is that you want to treat customers like you would want to be treated - like a trusted friend.