In a world where business competition is fierce and consumers are more informed than ever before, building customer trust is vital. Building that trust starts with the very first interaction you have with your customers, and it should continue through every interaction you have following that initial one. There are many ways for businesses to build this essential element of their reputation. Here are 10 practical tips that businesses can use to gain and maintain trust with their customers.
1. Provide Clear Terms and ConditionsÂ
Businesses should provide their customers with clear Terms and Conditions in an easy-to-understand way. Terms and Conditions provide clarity for both parties involved in the transaction. It is essential that all potential buyers are aware of any terms that may affect their purchase before making a decision.
Customers want to know how you will use their personal information, whether there is an exchange policy on items purchased, if returns are allowed, etc., so providing them with this information upfront helps build trust between your business and customer base.
2. Be Transparent About Your BusinessÂ
Consumers want honesty and truthfulness above anything else when dealing with a company or brand. Customer trust grows with openness and honesty because it shows that you care about the quality of their experience.
Let your customers know the behind-the-scenes of how you create your products or services. Tell them what they should expect when they purchase from your business. Avoid exaggerating the benefits or features of your products or services as it could lead to customer disappointment.
3. Get Customer Feedback and Use It to Improve Your BusinessÂ
Whether you have a focus group or an online survey, customer feedback is crucial for understanding what your customers want from your business. Customer feedback provides businesses with valuable insight into what aspects of the business are most valued by their customers and what can use improvements.
Once you’ve collected all the information on what customers like, dislike and want from your business, use those insights not only to improve existing products or services but also to develop new ones.
| Related: How Understanding the Emotional State of Your Consumers Can Lead to Better Sales |
4. Send Thank You Notes to Customers That Give Feedback on the Products/Services They Purchase
Thank you notes work wonders. They make people feel like they’ve been heard, appreciated and that your business cares about them as a person.
When customers provide feedback on products or services they’ve purchased from your business, send them a thank you note through mail or email. It’ll show the customers that their opinion matters. It also increases the chance of getting more customer feedback in the future.
5. Make It Easy for Customers to Make Returns If NecessaryÂ
If you want to give your business the best chance at building trust and creating loyal, repeat buyers, then it’s time to start making returns as easy as possible. Requests for returns are inevitable, so make the process painless for the customer.
Making returns hassle-free will also help your business avoid bad reviews from unhappy customers who were disappointed by the product or service they bought.
6. Stay Connected on Social MediaÂ
6. Stay Connected on Social MediaMany businesses are now using social media to connect with their customers on a more personal level. By creating an engaging online presence, your business can resonate with your target market and build customer loyalty.
Social media will allow you to develop a strong voice for your brand, engage in conversations with your customers, and more. This will help establish your business as one that can be trusted.
7. Provide Excellent Customer ServiceÂ
Providing customer service is a necessary part of running any business, and it can be a powerful tool to build trust with your customers. The way that you treat your customer has an impact on how they will perceive your business.
Make it easy for customers to get in contact with you whether it’s through email, phone or online chat support. If they contact you with a concern, answer their question as clearly as possible. If the answer you give doesn’t satisfy them, offer to look further into the issue before closing out their case or hanging up the phone.
8. Respond Quickly to Customer Questions and ConcernsÂ
Quickly responding to customer questions and concerns is a great way to show them that you value them and their experience with your business. Customer service should be viewed as a priority in order to maintain your relationships with customers and retain them over the long term.
Customers want to feel confident that they can rely on the business if something goes wrong. The sooner you respond to their inquiries, the better. They’ll appreciate that quality customer service is available to help them when they need it.
9. Create a Positive Reputation for Your BusinessÂ
A good reputation will let potential customers know that your business is reliable. Quality products or services, helpful customer service and high customer satisfaction rates are great ways to improve your business’s reputation.
A positive reputation can also be cultivated through doing charitable work or other good deeds. Customers will appreciate the compassion and generosity of a business that goes out of its way to help others.
10. Introduce Your Business’s Team Â
Tell customers about the people who work for the business and what they do. This helps create a personal connection between the customer and the business. It’ll also help customers feel like they’re purchasing from real people rather than a “faceless company”.
A “Meet the Team” page on your business’s website is a great way to do this. Add a photo of each team member and describe how they contribute to the business.
Trust is a Make or Break Factor for Any BusinessÂ
Building the right level of customer trust will help you garner more customers, increase customer loyalty and ensure longevity in your industry. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to strengthening the trust you have with your customers and building a reputation as a company that can be counted on.
The Atlanta Small Business Network, from start-up to success, we are your go-to resource for small business news, expert advice, information, and event coverage.
While you’re here, don’t forget to subscribe to our email newsletter for all the latest business news know-how from Atlanta Small Business Network.
