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3 Keys to Building a Winning Customer Service Strategy
How will you meet and exceed your customer's expectations and keep them coming back and spending throughout 2003?
January is a time for resolutions to be made. It is also a month when resolutions are broken. Did you make a resolution to eat...
Dialogue: The Four Dialogic Principles For Successful Communication
"But you don't understand!" exclaimed the manager, "this new initiative is vital for our team. If it doesn't work we could all be out of a job!"
"Uh-huh... Really... Explain to me again how this new initiative is so different from previous...
How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 2
Effect of Expenses
The last article examined how to calculate your realistic billable hours. If you remember, we arrived at approximately 1100 hours in a year. To earn our mythical $46,000 per year, you needed to bill at a rate of $42 per...
How To Turn Your Customers Into A Walking, Talking Billboard For Your Business
“This guy told me you would charge $600 and would require payment up front,” she said. I was stunned. “I don’t know where he came up with that figure,” as I struggled not to drop the phone. “I’m not even sure who this guy is. But the price is...
How to Win the Hearts of your Customers and Friends
Those of us doing business over the internet have to become especially adept at our listening and speaking skills since we don't have the luxury of talking with our customers face to face. It's especially important to give those on the phone extra...
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CASHING IN ON CUSTOMER SERVICE
When was the last time you received *great* customer service? Last month? Last year? The early 80’s?
It seems these days many businesses simply don’t place a high priority on customer service. It’s evident from the kid at the drive-thru who thrusts your food at you without so much as grunting “thanks” to the major corporation who assures you repeatedly during your 35 minute wait on hold, “Your call is very important to us.”
Customer service just isn’t what it should be; it’s true in day-to-day life and it’s true on the Web.
If poor customer service can drive potential customers away, it stands to reason that great customer service could be the competitive advantage needed to garner more sales.
What’s the current state of your customer service? Take the following short quiz and perhaps you’ll discover a few areas that are in need of improvement.
Question 1: How easy is it for your web visitors to contact you?
Shame on you if you’re one of the many Internet businesses that make their visitors search for contact information.
Your contact information should be one click away from any page in your site. It’s easy as pie to accomplish, simply include it after your copyright notice at the bottom of your page or include a link to your “Contact Us” page on all other pages in your site.
Question 2: How many means of communication do you offer?
Minimum, list your email address and phone number. Consider listing your postal address, FAX number, and/or toll-free number as well.
You also have the option of setting up a form so the customer can quickly type his or her question or comment and submit it.
Sign up for one of the “live help”-type services, such as HumanClick . These types of services allow you to chat in real-time with your site visitors.
Question 3: What’s your response time on email inquiries?
Answering email within 24 hours is much more likely to net you a customer than a delayed response time will.
I know someone out there is thinking, “Hypocrite! I emailed you last
year with one simple question: ‘How do I build a web site?’ and you never answered me!!”. Yes, I’m guilty on occasion of not paying as much attention to email as I should, but nonetheless, the point is valid: answer your email quickly and you’re more likely to make a sale.
Email is the litmus test for a lot of folks. If they can’t get an answer to a question when the business is trying to woo them into a sale, what’s the service going to be like once they’ve actually made the purchase?
Question 4: What impression are you giving customers in your correspondence?
Since email is the primary way many online businesses interact with customers on a one-to-one basis, we’ll discuss it.
Short, curt responses won’t cut it. It doesn’t have to be a novel, but make an effort to send a polite, personal, and professional-looking reply. The visitor should not be made to feel as though his or her question was an imposition.
Question 5: Do you live up to your word?
Simply put, do you do what you say you will?
If you have a “no questions asked, money-back guarantee”, honor it. If you promise delivery within 2 business days, do everything in your power to make it happen.
Most people are going to take you at your word (written or otherwise) - make sure you can deliver.
Question 6: C’mon...what do you say?
Thank you...thanks for your business...we’re grateful you selected us for this project. Whatever way you want to say it is fine, just SAY IT. Without your customers, you wouldn’t be in business; show them you appreciate them!
So, how did you score? Don’t get discouraged if you didn’t get an A+. This is one area in which it’s very easy to improve, and even small improvements in customer service can make a big difference in your bottom line.
About the Author
Jennifer Johnson is the owner of Logo Design Zone. She can create a 100% unique, totally memorable logo for your business - for UNDER $200! Does your current logo make the grade? Take Logo Design Zone's free logo quiz and find out!
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Customer Service Group: Resources for improved customer service ... |
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Customer Service Training Customer Service Skills Training Service |
Service Quality Institute is the leader in Customer Service Training with customer service training skills products and consulting with over 34 years ... |
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ICS: Institute of Customer Service |
The Institute of Customer Service is the professional body for customer service whose primary purpose is to lead customer service performance and ... |
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International Customer Service Association |
Promotes the development and awareness of the customer service profession through networking, education and research. Activities, publications ... |
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Customer Service Jobs on CareerBuilder.com |
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The New York Times Home Delivery - Subscribe |
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homedelivery.nytimes.com |
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Customer service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
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en.wikipedia.org |
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Customer service representatives |
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Customer Service Training |
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Customer Service |
(It may help the reader to notice the role of customer service in the overall ... Additional Resources in the Category of Customer Service and Satisfaction ... |
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azcentral.com faq - Welcome to the azcentral.com help center where you can find answers to azcentral.com and Arizona Republic customer service questions. |
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CafePress.com : Help Desk : Customer Service |
Email Us Send us an email and we will respond to you within 24 hours. Call Us Toll Free 1-877-809-1659 Customer Service Hours ... |
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Customer Service Week - The Celebration Source |
Provides how-to information, gifts and decorations for successful Customer Service Week celebrations. |
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Nashville - Tennessean.com - Middle Tennessee Customer Services |
Customer service, advertising or news-related questions or problems (615) 259-8000. ... (615) 242-7253. Email Customer Service customer @tennessean.com. ... |
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Customer Service Institute of Australia - dedicated to Australian ... |
CSIA is a professional, membership-based body dedicated to improving the standards of customer service both at an individual level and at a corporate level ... |
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The Globe and Mail: Home Delivery Customer Care: Home |
The most authoritiative news in Canada featuring articles from The Globe and Mail, breaking news coverage, national news, international news, sports, ... |
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Customer Service from FLORIDA TODAY |
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magazine customer service |
https://secure.customersvc.com/ servlet/Show?WESPAGE=mo/home.html&MSRSMAG=MO - Similar pages |
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Customer Service – 8 Rules For Good Customer Service |
Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business. You can bring in as many new customers as you want, but unless you can get some of those customers ... |
sbinfocanada.about.com |
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Help | IndyStar.com |
Customer Service • Terms of Service • Send feedback about IndyStar.com • Subscribe Now • Jobs with us. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the ... |
www.indystar.com |
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