Surviving or Thriving? 4 Ways to Gain an Edge over Your Competition

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Do you remember acquiring products or services only because your family had always frequented that business? Did you purchase particular brands, because it’s what you’d grown up buying? Customer loyalty, although still alive and kicking, is not as prevalent as it once was. Consumers are looking for better service, better pricing, better products, and a better reason to stay.

As a business owner, It’s not enough to just exist anymore; you have to give your customers reasons to choose you over the competition every time. Below are four ways you can grow and retain your valuable customer base:

Reward your clients

Nothing says “I appreciate your custom” more effectively than promotional products. That doesn’t mean you have to reward your client with every purchase they make, but a Christmas gift for your most valued clients never goes astray. In fact, 65 percent of customers choose a particular brand or business because they feel it cares about them. It’s your job to reaffirm this.

There are so many promotional products on the market that can help you show your customers that you value them. Why not treat them to a screen-printed coffee mug? Or how about a quality pen or snazzy cell phone accessories? All these items and more can be printed with your company logo so your customers will not only feel appreciated, your brand will be in front of them on a regular basis to keep your business front of mind.

Stay in touch

Landing that big deal with a high profile client can be a great boost for your business. However, you need to play your cards right to ensure that it turns into a long-standing relationship. That’s why it’s important to stay in touch. Once you’ve completed the work, don’t let the relationship end there. Form a rapport with a key contact, and you will eventually see more work come your way. A simple phone call once every three months is enough to keep your brand and business name on their mind.

Price match

Because customer loyalty is a lot rarer than it used to be, it’s important your pricing remains competitive. You can no longer provide a quote to a business or individual, and expect to land the work. In most cases, that customer has also priced around. The market is very price-driven, and your job is to make sure you’re as competitive as possible.

That’s not to say you have no choice but to undercut your competitors. Many people are still willing to pay more for better quality service or products. In fact, three in five Americans would try a new brand or company for a better service experience. Price competitively, but don’t lose touch of your ultimate goal – to provide quality service your customers appreciate.

Go the extra mile

It can be easy to get a first-time customer, but it can be even harder to keep them. If you go the extra mile, customer loyalty will never be a problem. Show your customer why you’re the best. You can do this by providing your services promptly, hand-delivering products where applicable, and by asking them if they are happy with your service. Feedback is key to keeping your customers happy.

Armed with the right tools, it’s easy to gain an edge over your competition. While enduring customer loyalty is a lot more challenging to achieve, it’s not impossible. All it takes is exceptional customer service, the willingness to go the extra mile and pride in your brand. The rest will fall into place.