How to retain your manufacturing customers

There is perhaps no other type of business that is so customer driven. In other words if you are a manufacturer and you can't satisfy your customers you will soon find yourself out of business. However, even with the current difficult economic conditions there is no reason that any manufacturing business has to lose clients. You can still provide your target market with the high quality of products they expect from you even while you are cutting cost. The bottom line is that it is crucial that every manufacturing business figure out how to retain their customers. Here is what you need to know about how to retain your manufacturing customers-

- Train every employee to recognize customer service as the top priority-Everyone who works in the company from the management to the custodian should be trained to recognize that customer service is your number one priority. Whether you work on the production line or in the office keeping customers happy is part of everyone's job. Studies show that many customers will return to buy from a business (even when they don't offer the lowest prices), because they offer the best customer service. The best way to retain your customers is to figure out what their needs are and then determine how you will meet them. It can also be helpful to offer a guarantee of your products and services. Make sure that your customers are well aware of this guarantee through your marketing message.
- Communicate with your customers-It can be difficult to determine your customers needs if you aren't talking with them. It is crucial to get feedback so that you can know what you are doing right and what you need to improve on. You can look at getting feedback as the lifeline between you and your customers. There are many different ways that you can do this. You can have comment cards for them to fill out in your offices, send out email surveys, or even pass out fliers. You may be more successful getting feedback if you offer an incentive for your customers. Many manufacturing companies now provide links online at their website that allow customers to offer feedback on what they are doing. However, if your customers leave feedback it is crucial that you have someone who is assigned to read and respond to it. This lets customers know that you take what they have to say seriously and helps to develop a relationship with them. When your customers know that you value what they have to say, they are far more likely to return to you when they buy again.
- Offer incentives-You can generate high degrees of customer interest simply by offering a sample or a trial run of a new product. This can often help customers determine if they want to commit to doing business with you. If you offer this type of incentive with the right marketing materials it can make your customers feel special and valued. Another way to offer incentives is to add value added services or take off a certain percentage on their next order. If you are confident enough with your own products to give them away your customers are far more likely to continue buying from you. Price matching can be another great incentive to get your customers to stick with you. The bottom line is that most of your customers are looking for the best deal. People want to save money and if you offer them the chance to do it with you they most likely will. Again, you can use your marketing materials to let your customers know that you offer coupons or price match.