Tips to Build Customer Loyalty

Most local businesses know the value of customer loyalty and the relationship to profitability. It costs significantly more to gain a new customer than to keep an existing one.

Small businesses realize that it's more about building relationships than being a good sales person or even having a good product.

Inc.com's Goeffrey James shares ways to build customer loyalty simply by putting your customer's needs ahead of your own.

--find a unique niche and be the expert to your customer
--help your customer build their own business (B2B)
--deliver what you promise
--deliver IMPECCABLE service AFTER the sale

Most of this is common sense, but the last bulleted item is where nearly ALL businesses fail. In my opinion, very few local small businesses provide "impeccable service after the sale". This is critical to customer loyalty. It keeps you top of mind and lets your customers know that you truly value their business.

Challenge: What way(s) can you implement an "after the sale" service? It can be as simple as a series of follow-up emails or a phone call. You know what's best for your business--just pick one thing you can do easily and do it!

Ciao for now, Paula