Why Customer Satisfaction Is A Must In The Year’s Fourth Quarter

As we pointed out in our last blog, the year’s fourth quarter is well underway. That means it’s time for merchants to kick things into high gear. The holiday season is fast approaching. Our last blog commented upon the fact that offering top-notch customer service is vital now more than ever. To set your brand apart from competitors, you’ll have to ensure that your customers are given special treatment. There are many reasons why.

Word of mouth promotion is the best form of advertising.

We’ve long heralded the power of referrals. Remember that October is a time when social gatherings pick up. As you know, Thanksgiving comes this weekend. Families and friends will be gathering around dinner tables celebrating all they have to be thankful for. Will your business be mentioned? Happy customers love spreading the word about their great experiences. During a month when socialization grows, it’s pretty important for you to impress all of your shop’s visitors.

“The importance of referrals is undeniable,” insists Mailchimp, “Referrals are a powerful way to get your customers to do the marketing for you and, with great customer service, you increase the chances that current customers will refer you to their social circle.”

Online shopping is about to pick up.

As the forthcoming days grow colder, consumers will be more inclined to stay indoors. That means they’ll be logging on to the internet to do a lot of their shopping. Everything from Halloween costumes to early holiday gifts are being Googled at this very moment. What will help online shoppers to find your online store? Do you have an online chat service? Do you quickly reply to emailed queries? Now is the time to show that your company cares about the needs of its customers.

Melody McKinnon of Online Business Canada reports that merchants can win the game with premium online customer service. “Statistics show that customers can be forgiving and will order from you again if the occasional problem is rectified to their satisfaction,” she writes, “It’s easier (and less expensive) to keep a customer than it is to acquire a new one. Turn that customer into a brand advocate and their worth is immeasurable. Treat them poorly and thanks to the Internet, your brand can take a very public beating.”

The holidays are coming.

As our last blog pointed out, many people are already doing their holiday shopping. If you want your store to be a go-to destination for holiday shoppers in the next three months, it’s vital to focus on customer service. Stepping things up in October encourages your team to practice handling increased demand. Be sure to address any training gaps right away. You want to be ready for the holiday rush.

Sarah Chambers of Nicereply encourages business owners to address scheduling now. “It’s never pleasant to need to work over holiday rush,” she says, “Going the extra mile for staff that is to scheduled (or volunteered) to work will ensure that you always have enough staff available when you need them.”

How can Synergy Merchants help you to grow customer satisfaction?

Give us a call at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com to learn about how our unique merchant cash advance program can quickly fund your business needs. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!