Can your customers tell you something important?
If you run your own business, I know you do your best to please your customers, satisfy their needs, and keep them loyal to your brand. But how can you be sure that your efforts bring desired results? If you do not try to find out what your clients think about your service, you will never be able to give them the best customer experience. Their opinions about their experience with your brand are helpful information that you can use to adjust your business to fit their needs more accurately.
There are plenty of ways to leverage customer feedback and profit from it. In this entry, I will explain why collecting customer feedback, whether prompted or unprompted, is crucial in managing customer satisfaction and loyalty, customer retention, improving products and services, and in many more areas of your business. Sit comfortably and continue reading to discover the benefits of customer feedback.
Here are the top seven reasons why customer feedback is essential in business.
1. Customer feedback helps improve products and services
When you introduce a new product, brand, or service to the market, you probably have an idea about customer needs. Market research you conduct before introduction gives you an idea of potential customers would be willing to buy it, and they can also give you tips on how to improve it. However, only after your customers use your product or service can you learn about all the advantages, flaws, and their actual experience. On top of that, their needs and expectations evolve with time.
2. Customer feedback helps you measure customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction and loyalty are crucial factors determining a company’s financial performance. It is directly linked to many benefits, such as increased market share, lower costs, or higher revenue. Many studies confirmed the close connection between customer satisfaction and business performance. Therefore, there is no doubt that you want to ensure your clients are happy with your products and services. The best way to determine if you meet their expectations is to get their opinions. Using rating-based questions, you can easily estimate the level of satisfaction and consequently predict your company’s financial condition in the future.
3. Collecting customer feedback shows you value their opinions
By asking your clients for feedback, you communicate that their opinion is important to you. You involve them in shaping your business, so they feel more attached to your company. Listening to their voice helps you create strong relations with them. This is the best way to gain valuable brand ambassadors who will spread positive word-of-mouth for you. And I am sure you are aware that their recommendations is probably the most effective and, at the same time, the cheapest way to acquire new customers and become more trustworthy in the eyes of your current and potential clients.
4. Customer feedback helps you create the best customer experience
Today’s marketing is heavily based on people’s experiences with products, services, and brands. They do not buy Apple products just because they are good. They want to demonstrate their status and affiliation with a particular group. They do not buy Nike clothes because they are durable. They get the courage to extend their boundaries. Therefore, clients will stay loyal to your brand if you focus on providing the best customer experience at every touchpoint. And naturally, the most effective way to give them a fantastic experience is to ask them what they like about your service and what should be improved.
5. Customer feedback helps to improve customer retention
A satisfied customer will stay with you. An unhappy customer will eventually find a better alternative to your business and leave. Customer feedback benefits are significant. It helps you determine if your clients are satisfied with your service and detect areas where you should improve. Thanks to asking for opinions regularly, you can always keep a finger on the pulse. Each time a dissatisfied customer expresses his disappointment, you can immediately react and find a solution to fix an issue. This is a perfect moment to win a client back and even increase his level of loyalty. In many cases, an unhappy customer who encountered a problem with your service but got it fixed straightaway demonstrates more considerable devotion to your brand than a customer who has never been disappointed with your service.
6. Customer feedback is a reliable source of information to other consumers
In the times of social media, consumers do not trust commercials or expert advice so much. Opinions provided by other customers who have already used a product or service are the more reliable sources of information these days. When you look for accommodation in a city you visit or want to find a nice new restaurant to have dinner with friends, you read reviews beforehand. When you want to buy new shoes, you ask for your opinion on Facebook or go to a trustworthy blog to read a review. Many companies today incorporate review systems in their services and products. Think of Uber or Airbnb. They all do their best to ensure that poor service will be detected and excluded from their business.
7. Customer feedback gives you data that helps taking business decisions
There is no place for business decisions based on loose guesses on a highly competitive market. Successful business owners gather and manage distinct kind of data that helps them develop future strategies. Only in this way they are able to adjust their products and services to perfectly fit customer needs.
Tips for writing product / service reviews
Use the product
Before you write your review, make sure that you’ve thoroughly familiarized yourself with the product you’re reviewing. It’s helpful to try it out a few times so that you can give a more well rounded opinion on things like quality and durability. Get to know the product well, so that you can give it the review it truly deserves.
2. Include pictures or videos
We’ve all heard the saying - a picture is worth a thousand words! Think about including a picture or video with your product review, to give readers an idea of what the product looks like in real life, and not just from the business’s website.
3. Share your opinion about the product
Share your opinion and experience with the product. And if your opinion happens to be a negative one, remember to be constructive with criticism. Try not to form opinions in the heat of the moment, which can lead to emotions taking precedence over facts. And while it’s fine to inject some personality into your review, be sure to keep it polite. Reviews that use offensive language may be removed.
4. Describe whether or not the product was what you expected
When you buy a product online, you’re usually judging it based on images and descriptions that the retailer has provided. Compare the expectations you had against the reality of what you received. Was the product accurately depicted, or is there anything off? Describe what they captured well, as well as any discrepancies.
5. List the product’s pros and cons
It’s important to give a comprehensive opinion, so share all the positives and negatives about the product. But don’t just say that something is “good” or “bad” - make sure to provide details about the pros and cons. These details are more useful for both shoppers and the business, and give people a better insight into your experience. Let the pros shine, and suggest ways that the cons can be improved.
6. Focus on the product
Keep your review focused on the product rather than other factors like shipping. If you had a positive or negative experience with shipping you can mention it, but it shouldn’t be the focus of the review.