We don’t live in a very trusting world, at least at the moment. Cynicism abounds, and as soon as people have cause to doubt another person’s/company’s trust levels, they’re pretty quick to move on. That’s why it’s very important that you work hard to retain your customers’ trust. It can take years to establish, yet can be lost in a few moments – and for a number of reasons, some of which aren’t entirely fair. Below, we take a look at some things that will cause your customers to lose faith in your business, so you can avoid making these mistakes.
Squabble Over Their Complaints
Who’s to blame for the current emphasis on customer service? It’s not that it’s a bad thing in itself, but, like most things, it goes too far. Even if a customer is being ridiculous, and making demands that can’t be justified, do you have to give in? The simple answer, for keeping the piece, is yes. Of course, the ridiculous customers are a minority. Most people only complain when they have to. When that happens, it’ll be worthwhile swallowing your pride and admitting your fault. A company that tries to downplay a customer’s complaint clearly doesn’t have their customers’ best interests at heart!
The Disappearing Act
We live in an age where patience is in low supply. When your customers want to know something or get in touch, they don’t want to search too hard or wait too long. But sometimes, business’s inadvertently make them. If customers have a question about their order, and you’re not picking up the phone or responding to their messages, then doubts will begin to creep in. It’s even worse if they visit your website and it’s not working. That gets them very nervous indeed! Ensure these things don’t happen by replying promptly to messages, and by working with a company that offers managed IT services; they’ll ensure your website is always up and running. If you’re there when your customers need you, they will have little reason to lose trust.
Dreams v. Reality
Promising customers the moon and the stars is great for drawing them in, but if you can’t deliver, then it would have been better to have set realistic expectations. It’s a trick you can only play once. If you make grand claims about your products or services, and then they don’t live up to that expectation, the trust will be lost, and your customers will be gone. Instead, just be honest. If you don’t think people are going to be interested in what you’re offering when you’re telling the truth, then it’s time to rethink your business.
Online Reviews
People really do pay attention to online reviews. If you’ve received too many one or two-star ratings, then you’ll find it difficult to attract new customers. So to begin, listen to what those reviews are saying. And second, if you suspect them of being fraudulent – it does happen – then fight back.
Who You’re Dealing With
What you do behind the scenes of your business matters too, so do your due diligence to ensure that your supplies and other companies you work with are trustworthy. If they’re not, the public will find out eventually, and that won’t reflect well on your company.
What steps has your business taken to build a trustworthy brand? What have you learned along the way? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!
