How Small Business Owners Can Retain And Attract Customers

The times are getting tougher and so are getting new customers and retaining loyal old customers. Plus, the competition is continuously breathing down your neck, and every small business owner knows that he has to fight to survive and thrive in this environment. Here are time-tested customer retention strategies that can really enrich small business marketing:

Loyalty programs: Existing customers desire to be recognized and appreciated. Introduce a loyalty program that rewards them on reaching certain milestones or make them feel special (examples: sending them a gift on a special day; reserving a special lounge for them in your premises, etc.). Such programs have the potential to entice new customers as well.

100% Money-back guarantee: When a small business offers a 100% money back guarantee, it gives out the message that they are so sure of their product that they are willing to put their integrity on the line. The guarantee enhances brand recall, increases loyalty, and helps small business marketing without having to spend any money.

Offer incentives and discounts: Small businesses can regularly mail special offers to and discounts to existing customers. The discount must be meaningful and distinct from what is being offered to the public.

Sampling: Whenever you are testing or sampling a product, give free samples to your customers. This is a powerful small business marketing method of enhancing loyalty and increasing repeat business.

Free shipping and installation: Amazon started free shipping years ago and so far, only a few small businesses have cottoned on to their loyalty-winning tactic. Try shipping your products for free to retain customers and watch new business roll in. You can even offer free product installation, another winning tactic.

Interaction: Communicate with existing customers and inform them of the latest and forthcoming trends. You can do this by making them opt-in to a newsletter. Additionally, you can host polls on your website or give away whitepapers and reports. You can SMS customers periodically as well. You should remember special dates and send loyal customers a gift. Even a simple message can help lift spirits and make the customers remember you. You can also hold a customer get-together, or a party, wherein the customers can have a good time and you can get critical feedback.

Handling complaints: Complaints must be attended to by trained and skilled employees. All issues must be resolved ASAP. Efficient complaint-resolution please customers and they sure will post nice things about your business. Slip-ups in handling complaints can mar your reputation, so make sure you apologize if there is any deficiency in your customer service or complaint handling.

Support: Your customers must get 24/7 general and technical support. In fact, customer support is one of the prime considerations that are evaluated before choosing a vendor. If you offer efficient and helpful 24/7 support, your customers will grow to love you.

These were some of the strategies that a small business must practice if they want to retain old customers and see new ones walking in. These strategies are commonsense and age-old, but are not followed by most businesses. If you really want to perform some simple yet effective small business marketing, go right ahead and build these tactics into your business plan.