Developing your company’s customer service skills and policies is an important step to a successful business. While there isn’t one right way to do it, it’s important to keep it consistent and implement your customer service policy every day. These tips can serve as a place to start or a reminder for practices you’re already doing.
Set expectations with both your employees as to what customer service standards they should be providing and with your customers so they know what to expect. If your employees know what you expect them to do, then that’s what they will provide to your customers, who will come to expect that in return.
It may seem like common sense, but listening before you respond to a customer is important. By doing this, you’re able to better understand their request, problem or complaint, and you’ll be better prepared to respond if you know what they need.
Well, maybe not always. But even if you don’t think they’re right, try to make them feel as if they are. Rephrase your comments so you aren’t pointing out where they’re wrong, but offering suggestions as to what may be right. For example, if you are attempting to collect payment, instead of saying “You owe me $500,” try saying “My records show a balance of $500. Does this match your records?”
When a customer calls, emails, fills out a contact form or contacts you on social media, they’re looking for a quick response from you. They may be asking for help, wanting to hire you for a job or simply following up on something you’ve done for them in the past. Try to respond within 24 hours and you’ll develop a reputation for promptly returning messages. Customers will feel valued and share that with their friends, neighbors and social networks.
Sometimes things happen, and you’ll see a complaint on your company Facebook page or a voicemail from an unhappy customer. Rather than let it sit there, respond quickly, find out what happened and offer to make it right. Even if you can’t make it right, showing that you care can make a difference to an upset customer and future customers.
Give your customer a call, or shoot them an email. Ask them for their feedback on the job, what they’d improve and to write a review on Facebook, Yelp, Google, etc. Following up opens the lines of communication and encourages them to keep in contact.
Building relationships with your customers is important. Making each customer feel valued to you and your company creates repeat business. A happy customer will come back for more and tell their friends, creating more business opportunities for you.
Have you had a great customer service experience? Or, have you learned something from poor customer service? Share in the comments and helps others learn from your experiences.