When running a business, having an amazing product is simply not enough to be successful. There are so many moving parts to creating a strong business – buying a domain, building an online presence or a storefront, forming a strong team of employees, networking, etc.
But one crucial key to success is forming a strong relationship with customers. Specifically, building trust with customers. The customer-business owner relationship is not one sided. It requires a lot of time and nurturing to build a strong relationship. However, every second is worth it.
Today, we discuss why customer trust is so important for business and provide our guide to building trust with your customers.
Why is Customer Trust Important?
When customers trust your business, your business blossoms. Here are just a few benefits that come from a strong customer relationship:
- Customers will advocate for you and recommend you
- Customers will remain loyal to you
- Improves your business credibility
- Customers will offer suggestions/feedback
- Customers will engage with your business more (social media, events, etc.)
How to Build Trust with Customers
1. Treat Your Customers like Friends and Family
The first step to building a strong relationship with customers is to treat them like friends and family. View it as a reciprocal relationship that you need to nurture in time. Communicate with them, listen, take their feedback, be personable, and watch the relationship strengthen.
2. Encourage Customers to Leave Reviews
Encourage all customers to leave reviews about your product or service. The more reviews you have, the better. This includes both good and bad reviews!
When you encourage customers to leave reviews/feedback, it shows you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. Additionally, your customers can show you where to strengthen different areas of your business in order to make the customer experience better. If you act on these reviews – it will show that you listen and value their suggestions.
3. Do Not Remove Negative Feedback
When you ask customers to leave reviews, be prepared for some negative feedback. It is simply part of conducting business. Do not remove the negative feedback from your page. Instead, use it to your advantage. Take the criticism and make a change, and show that you care what your customers have to say.
And remember, 100% good reviews can make it look like you are filtering your reviews. So, having a few bad reviews could work in your favor by increasing credibility and transparency.
4. Be Transparent
94% of shoppers are loyal to companies that operate with transparency.
Customers want to feel included in the process. Being transparent is essential in growing customer trust. This can include:
- Showing behind the scenes
- Publish detailed information about your product or service
- Show your employees and let your employees share their stories
- Respond to customer feedback
- If you are providing a service, be open and honest throughout the process
Being transparent allows your customers to get to know you on a personal level and allows them to engage with your company. A sense of honesty and inclusion will lead to higher trust.
5. Offer Loyalty Programs
Existing customers are 50% more likely to try new products than new customers.
So, offer incentives to existing customers. This includes loyalty programs, discounts, newsletters, etc. Recurring customers do not need persuasion to shop with you, they are already interested in your product and business. Strengthen this relationship and let them know you appreciate them by offering these rewards. Additionally, this could also attract new customers.
Start Building Your Customer Relationships, Today
Building trust with customers takes a lot of time and resources. But it is time well spent.
Customers want to be heard and appreciated. They want to feel a part of the process and learn more about your company and product than what is on the surface. So, let them! The more you can show them that you value them, the more they will give you in return. As long as you treat your customers like part of the family, they will surely treat you the same.
Start With a Domain Name
The best way to improve credibility and build your online presence is with a premium domain name.
At Saw.com, we love domains and everything they encompass. With over twenty years of experience in the industry, we have made it our mission to help companies and organizations understand digital assets’ role in the ever-changing internet landscape, every step of the way. We specialize in domain acquisition, appraisal, company naming, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more.
No matter the nature, stage, or size of your company, we believe in helping you be seen online and we pride ourselves in our transparency through the entire process. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, contact us! Our domain brokers would love to speak with you.
