Impress Your Customers

Customer service can make or break a business. Here are some tips for training your employees, handling customer complaints, building customer loyalty and impressing your clientele so that your business can prosper.

The first rule of thumb when it comes to customer service is to listen carefully and intently to what your customer conveys. Most customers will tell you what they expect if you just ask. Take to heart the requests and expectations of your customers in your store. If they are annoyed with having to wait for an employee to unlock dressing rooms, then instruct one employee to always prioritize opening those doors for customers.

Small improvements in your business practices can make a big difference in how customers feel about your store, what they say about your store and whether or not they return. Listen carefully to their needs and offer fair advice. Do not be pushy or treat the customer like you are better than them. After all, you would be out of business if it were not for the consumer.

Build a relationship with the customer. Find something that you have in common and create some common ground. Whenever you can identify with a customer’s needs or situation, you can build a relationship with them. Make them feel special. This could be as simple as making a statement about how you do not want them to have to wait for a dressing room. Acknowledging their dilemma, no matter how small will help them feel like they are not being ignored.

If a customer has a complaint, listen very carefully. Come up with a solution that suits both of your needs. No matter how upset a customer may be, always keep your cool. Validate their feelings and sympathize with their situation. Do not make excuses because this can lead you into a circle of back and forth arguing. Simply explain what happened, if possible, and quickly change the subject to the solution. For example, apologize for the inconvenience, explain that your computers were rebooting or whatever may have been the cause for their problem and quickly offer a special discount, store coupon or promise of future better experiences. Be careful not to promise something that you can not deliver.

One way to show that you genuinely care is to help your customers even if you do not expect to make any money. If someone is just browsing, not buying today or has no intention of buying, still give them all of the help and support that you would a paying customer. Building this type of image makes a great impression and word will spread that your store has great customer service and courteous employees.

Keep your store inviting to your customers. Keeping the store clean, neat and organized gives the impression that you care. This may not cross your mind as a customer service technique, but it is. Make sure that your clothes are organized according to department, style and size. This makes for a pleasurable shopping experience. Even your clothes hangers should be neat and orderly. Taking these extra steps will ensure that you make the best impression on your clients.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of OnlyHangers.com, a leading provider of high quality clothes hangers,including wooden hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com