Ever think about why people keep buying iPhones, even though they’re so darned pricey?
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Like it or not, your business is losing customers. Recent research from McKinsey & Company revealed that only 13 percent of customers surveyed said they were loyal to a single brand. The research found that 87 percent of customers surveyed said they shopped around, and 58 percent had switched to a new brand.
Why do people shop around? What motivates them to abandon the businesses they know and buy products or services from competitors? It’s time that you take a close look at why your business is losing customers — and, what you can do to fix it.
Here are five common reasons why customers leave small businesses … and effective tips you can use to start turning the tide.
1. You’re guilty of poor customer service experience.
Few things can sour a customer experience more quickly than poor customer service. To a customer, your support team is your business. Shauna Geraghty, a clinical psychologist and head of talent at the global customer support innovator TalkDesk revealed on the company’s blog that over 90 percent of customers who are dissatisfied with your customer service experience will –rather than telling you that something is wrong and how you can improve it — just not come back.
So, if you’re not paying attention to your customer-service policies and performance, there’s a good chance that neglect is costing you customers.
This is one reason why some companies, including Comcast, create create support-focused accounts like @comcastcares on Twitter. These accounts are public and are known for helping customers to resolve problems quickly.
What you can do:
Outline thoughtful, positive customer service practices. Start with an internal audit of the policies that govern your team. Conduct interviews with customer-support managers and representatives.
Assess what company policies have led to customer dissatisfaction. What internal issues are preventing your reps from supporting customers quickly and effectively? Use this data to improve your customer service practices.
Then, bear in mind these three golden rules of customer service:
Respond quickly. Acknowledge when a mistake is made and make it right.
Treat the customer with respect and empathy.
Support your customer support team. Give your customer service team the resources they need to provide your customers with awesome service. This includes the technical infrastructure as well as the autonomy to make choices that will benefit your business and support your customers.
2. Your product or service failed to neet expectations.
Disappointed customers are likely to share their disappointment with friends on social media. And angry customers will post angry reviews for other prospective customers to see.
What you can do:
Design and build a quality product or service. Don’t think that marketing magic or any amount of other business trickery…
