What you should know about customer relations

Savvy business owners know that they must make their customers happy if they are to have any hope of making their business a long term success. However, today that relationship with your customers can be far more complex then you ever thought possible. Where large businesses once drew in customers with flashy marketing campaigns, today it is the business that knows and understands what their customers want and need that is successful. Today's customers are highly tech savvy so business owners must respond in a different manner then in years past. If you can rise to the challenge you can find that your marketing (and your sales), are more successful then ever before. Here is what you should know about customer relations-

- Know what your customers want-The basis of good customer relations is knowing what your customers want. This is done through market research. Many business owners make the mistake of thinking that they can't afford to do market research. The truth is that you cannot afford not to do market research. Market research is the only way that you can find out what your customers want and what they are looking for. When you have this information you can then begin to build a relationship with them by offering them what they need or want.
- Know where your customers are looking-It won't be enough to simply know what your customers want. You will need to know where to find them. Keep in mind that there is no "one size fits all" marketing plan. You will need to use your market research to know where your customers are looking for your product or service. For example-If your customers are looking online then you need to make sure that your business has an online presence. You want to structure your marketing so that your customers can find it where it is. Keep in mind that they won't look very hard for you; it will be your responsibility to take your business and what it offers to them. The information that you gain through market research will show you where that should be.
- Know who your customers are talking to-Today, more and customers are reluctant to give up their hard earned cash without a recommendation from someone they trust. Studies show that most customers are far more likely to trust a personal recommendation from another customer then one they get from a salesperson. They are searching out information online through blogs, consumer reviews, and other online information. You will need to make sure that the information that they find about your business reflects what you want it to and shows that you run a business that your customers can trust. In addition, when you find out who your customers are "talking" to you can join in the dialogue and make sure that they are getting the facts right from you.
- Know the power of customer service-The bottom line is that it won't really matter how much you know your customers if your business is not offering the best in customer service. Keep in mind that studies show that most customers will return to buy again from a business that offers them a high quality of customer service even if the price on the item that they are buying is not the lowest. This makes it crucial that you train everyone who works for you that customer service is their top job priority. In addition, when have been offering consistently high customer service your customers will spread the word to their family and friends about your business which is priceless word of mouth marketing.