It's Fierce Out There
So, what about customer service?
No, the customer isn't always right. How many times have you encountered the impossible person that cannot be satisfied no matter what you do. Most of us don't aim for 100% satisfaction, taking into consideration that some people are just rude, ignorant and want everything to be free. That being said, let's deal with the customers that we choose to keep and want to see again and again. They are 'guests' in your business just like if you had guests at your home. All of us want to have places that we enjoy going for business interactions whether it's to buy something or learn something that we wish to acquire.
Your customers deserve honesty and integrity and there's little of that today in most areas of business. You feel like everyone is out to get your money and run. When you as a customer are out in the world shopping or trying to get your cell phone serviced, what is your experience with that particular merchant? Did you feel important or that you even mattered? Was the staff on site engaging with you or trying to give you minimal attention while distracted by other customers, on their cell phone, or didn't have the answers you needed?
The thing I really liked about Google since they began is how simple their page was. A box to put my wishes in and instant answers in the form of choices. I could choose what site I wanted to visit, find the information quickly and not be bombarded by lots of advertising. What sets you apart from your competition? Is your product easily accessed through a clear and simple website that doesn't bombard your customers? Can they find what they want? If you have a contact from your website by a customer, how fast is it answered and information provided?
First suggestion for Customer Service: Clean up your website, make sure your customers can navigate it easily and find the information they need. If you get an email from a customer, answer it quickly and completely and be sure to thank them for their question. Customers have a lot of choices out there today! At the end of your email, when you sign it like you would a written letter be sure to have your contact information and a tagline about your business. I'll talk more about taglines later.
One of my favorite taglines: Building relationships, designing solutions.

