Your loyal customers are the driving force of your business. Their loyalty can go a long way to help your small business thrive and survive in bad times. And according to LinkedIn, repeat clients are incredibly important for boosting profitability, emphasizing the importance of building faithful ‘stans’ for your growing venture.
Additionally, it is expensive to acquire new customers, so it makes sense to find ways to keep your existing ones. Consider the tips below to create loyal customers for your small business.
Table of Contents
Know Your Customers
It is a good idea to get up close and personal with your clients if you want them to be loyal. It can be as simple as knowing their names, stories, and purchasing behaviors. Your interactions with each client should be personal rather than transactional.
For instance, you could send unique birthday messages to individuals and attach a special birthday discount. Consider sending them customized emails they would love.
Today’s customers are discerning and want to know more about a business and build relationships before trusting them. So it can be useful to be transparent and keep them informed on everything, including news, latest products, special promotions and events, and so on.
Never hesitate to admit mistakes if you want your customers to understand that you care about their opinions and feel at ease doing business with you.
Different Types of Loyal Customers
Different types of your loyal customers include the Repeat Customer, who keeps coming back for more, the Brand Advocate, who spreads the word about your products or services, and the Happy Camper, who is satisfied with their experience and likely to return.
The Discount Junkie is always on the lookout for deals and promotions, while the Premium Patron doesn’t mind paying extra for top-notch quality. The Engaged Enthusiast actively engages with your brand on social media and participates in promotions or events.
Lastly, the Loyalist for Life is devoted to your brand and considers it their go-to choice for a particular product or service.
Loyal Customers Spend More
Loyal clients spend more. It’s a fact. When people love a brand, they keep coming back for more. They don’t just make one purchase and vanish into the abyss.
No, they stick around, buying more products or services over time. It’s like a never-ending cycle of loyalty and spending. And you know what? This is gold for businesses.
These loyal customers are like the VIPs of the shopping world, spending their hard-earned cash like there’s no tomorrow. So, if you want your business to thrive, focus on keeping those type of customers happy.
How To Reward Loyal Customers
Customer loyalty programs are excellent for recognizing and rewarding their patronage. Membership usually has certain criteria. For instance, a customer may have to purchase or spend a certain amount in a month to qualify for a special discount.
However, ensure that the benefits outweigh the requirements. Customer loyalty programs come in various forms, but they all have one thing in common: the trigger for clients to increase their spending on your products and services.
Depending on your business type, you can design your loyalty program based on points, spending, or a tiered program.
Build An Online Community For Your Brand-Loyal Customers
A membership website can enable you to make money while using your knowledge and skills to serve people in your online community.
Individuals who join your business’s online community are likely to be enthusiastic about business and the sector and may come to you for answers to their queries.
It is not surprising that social media has become an excellent platform for businesses to build relationships with their customers. Platforms like Facebook, for instance, are not only free but a fast way to build a community online. You’re not likely to have a wide reach if you are not present on social media.
In addition to having an active presence on relevant social media platforms, consider how you can build the perfect membership website customized to grow your business.
Make Your Marketing Relevant To Them
Older clients who have previously experienced what you do and how you do it need less promotion than new customers. However, this does not mean that there should be no marketing at all.
In reality, if you simply focus your marketing on acquiring new customers (by giving welcome incentives, for example), you risk alienating your most loyal clients, driving them to your rivals’ shops and websites rather than your own.
You must guarantee that your marketing is comprehensive and that you take care of your existing customers while also attempting to obtain new ones. Because this requires extensive marketing expertise, it is normally best to outsource this task to a marketing firm.
Oftentimes many big businesses offer specials for new customers only. This can upset your loyal customers.
Evolve With Loyal Customers
Your business must demonstrate its capacity to adapt to the changing market and satisfy client requirements if you want to keep them around. This doesn’t suggest making drastic adjustments but instead showcasing that your business can keep up with the latest trends and evolving customer needs and wants.
Being upfront and open about the changes is crucial, as updating your clients throughout the process and bringing them along on the journey.
This makes them feel like a part of your story, and it will be difficult for them to patronize any other brand.
Get Their Opinion and Feedback
You can demonstrate how much you value your customers by asking them for feedback. But it is not enough to ask for it if you are unwilling to use it to improve. Sometimes, how you solve a client’s problem can determine whether they will continue to do business with you or not and not the problem itself.
You can request reviews by sending out surveys and being transparent with the information you receive. Customers are more inclined to choose businesses that respect their thoughts and opinions. You must first be loyal to them to earn their loyalty.
There are many advantages to asking prior customers what they thought of your service and the items they purchased from you. To start, you’ll get some useful input on what works and what needs to be improved.
This will assist you in developing a company that more people will like. Next, your clients will be pleased to have been asked and will be more open to whatever marketing you may send their way since they know you value their feedback.
It might be that they suggest shipping to other countries, and you can then get an instant freight shipping quote to make this happen. Or they might talk about other products they would love you to sell, for example.
In addition, by conducting an email survey, mailing a postcard, or even asking for thoughts on social media, you will be reminding them of your company’s existence. People are more likely to remember you if they see your name often.
Giveaways for Loyal Customers
When it comes to attracting new consumers, giving something for free is a certain way to get them to stick around. The more satisfied your consumers feel with your service, the more likely they are to return to you in the future. They will know they can expect the same level of service in the future.
They’ll also be more inclined to tell their friends and family about your business, which is a terrific complement to your marketing strategy since word-of-mouth advertising is so successful and inexpensive.
Coupons, free delivery, free gifts, and loyalty points are some of the items you could give away. Some of them could cost you money, but if you have loyal customers, you’ll be able to make up for it and more.
Offer Great Customer Service to Your Loyal Customers
One of the things you can do is have your business offer the best customer service. Be there when they call and respond to them quickly. Do what you say you will do and do not set expectations too high. Over-deliver what your customers will expect.
Furthermore, admit when you make a mistake and make it up to your customers as soon as possible. Shower them with love and they will continue to do business with your small business for years to come.
Store Customer Data
Storing customers’ data can be much easier to sell to them in the future. For instance, make it easier for clients to create accounts on your website and mobile, which securely saves their payment and shipping details.
This way, they have a single-click ordering option rather than having to re-enter their details every time they wish to make a purchase. However, this type of convenience may inspire them to become returning customers.
Your Turn: How To Keep Loyal Customers
Engaging and retaining your customers is a top priority for every business. The tips above can help you maintain your existing customers and explore ways to attract new ones and grow your business.
What are you doing to keep your loyal customers loyal to your small business?
