When you’re running a business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with what processes to prioritize first, who to hire next, or how to get your customer service up and running.
While you might not think building out your customer service team or process is a top priority, you should know that 84% of organizations working to improve customer service report an increase in revenue.
That’s a lot of potential revenue for a startup company. In order to run a successful business, you need to provide a stellar customer experience.
Here are five reasons why customer service is important to small businesses.
Establishing a Solid Reputation
Stated by an answering service, growing a new business means it’s likely that people are not familiar with your brand yet; this is your opportunity to build a reputation you want to be known for.
People will talk about the way your company interacts with prospects and customers — whether it’s a good or bad experience.
97% of consumers report that the customer reviews they read influence their purchasing decisions.
Since this is the case, it’s crucial that your reputation and reviews are positive. Offering a friendly, helpful, and fast customer service experience will help you gain a good reputation.
For your small business, it’s vital to start your customer experience off on the right foot while you have a clean slate.
Customer Retention
By providing a great customer service experience, you give your customers a reason to continue buying or working with you.
Like anyone, customers like to be treated with respect and want to feel valued. If your customers feel undervalued, they will stop associating with your brand and search for a company that truly appreciates their business.
Quality customer service will allow you to build trust with customers.
Establishing trust will help salvage customer relationships when things do happen to go wrong. If a customer trusts you and knows you will do everything in your power to right a wrong, they will stick with you for the long haul.
On the other hand, customers that don’t trust your business will be quick to leave when the road gets bumpy.
Retaining current customers is always more cost-efficient than acquiring new ones.
Feedback on How To Improve Your Business
A well-built customer service process includes ways to receive customer feedback in the form of reviews, testimonials, or surveys.
The feedback gathered will let you see where your service is thriving or falling short.
Knowing your strong points and your weaknesses means you can target the areas that need improvement within your business and implement the necessary changes. Doing so will speed up the development of your company while also making customers happier with your brand and processes.
Set Yourself Apart
Look at your customer service as an opportunity to set yourself apart from the competition.
An appeal of buying or working with a small business is the personalized experience your customers will get. Instead of feeling like a name on a spreadsheet, they’ll feel like you know and value them.
By offering top-tier customer service, you will separate yourself from the competition; customers will seek you out because they know you’ll treat them the right way.
Treat Your Customers With Care
Quality customer service is undoubtedly vital to small businesses.
By focusing on improving your customer service, you will allow yourself more opportunities to establish a solid reputation, retain customers, set yourself apart, and get critical feedback on how to improve your business.
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