Simple Strategies to Sustain and Build Customer Loyalty

Research shows that as little as a 5% increase in customer retention programmes can yield up to 25%-100% of profit. If such a small amount can build so much profit potential, then imagine what is possible when you invest in loyalty programmes.

Customer loyalty is based on how happy and satisfied your customers are with your brand. Happy customers recommend your brands to friends and will choose you over competitors even if there are no promotions.

How Can You Make Customers Happy?

The loyalty of customers is tied on the value of your product, how your product met customers’ needs, and the exceptional service you provide. We have outlined six strategies to help you sustain and build customer loyalty.

1. Reward Loyal Customers

Everyone loves a reward. Create a way to encourage and appreciate your customers for using your business repeatedly. You can try card-based customer loyalty programs, discounts or punch cards. The more reward customers get, the more likely they are to choose your brand in the future. Rewarding loyal clients is an opportunity to show your customers that you care about them and value their business.

2. Create Feedback Policy

People love to air their opinions. In cases where they might not be happy, they want to tell you about their shopping experience, how well-mannered your reps are and advise you on how to improve your product. Listen to them and value their opinions.

Request that they complete a survey every time they visit your website or offline store. Also, get feedback from social media. Feedback will help you understand your customers better.

3. Protect Your Clients

Many businesses have lost clients trust because of negligence. Keep customer’s interests in mind. Let them know that their data (i.e. credit card number and personal data) is secured against fraudsters. Compromising customers information can damage the reputation of your company and cost you financially.  Be sure you have a secured network, databases and if you operate a physical store, ensure you are protected from anything that might go wrong.

4. Quality Wins

Quality trumps every other strategy. When it comes to beating the competition,youneed to be the best. If the quality of your product is inferior, people will be less likely to choose your brand. Give your clients reasons to justify spending their money with you by offering a high-quality product or service.

5. Get personal: Know Your Customers

How well do you know your clients? What was the last thing they purchased from you? The good thing about knowing your clients is that you don’t have to be a genius. You just need the right type of CRM software to store customer data.

Use stored information to send personalised emails on birthdays and anniversaries. Give them discounts during their birthday month. Don’t forget to use their names. Customers who feel valued are more likely to be loyal to your business.

6. Have Responsive and Polite Customer Service

Research shows that shoppers who are welcomed with a smile spend 67% more than shoppers who were not greeted with a smile. The fastest way to kill loyalty is to have poorly engaged staff. Make sure your customer service reps, both offline and online, are trained, friendly and professional. T

hey must be proactive to customer’s needs and approach issues with the right attitude. Treat each customer with respect. After an issue is addressed, reach out to them, and let them know you care about their shopping experience.

Conclusion

It 4- 10 times more expensive to get new customers than it is to keep existing ones. Invest in your current customers. Make them happy, get personal with them and treat every client with respect. A happy customer will use your business regularly and share their experience with friends and family.