Many small local business depend on loyal customers, not only to spend money with them regularly, but to tell people about the business and to help drum up more custom. In the offline world this means getting to know the customers who regularly walk through your door, finding out more about the people who buy your products, or perhaps even offering customers rewards for their loyalty. This translates to the internet and as you transfer parts of your business online it's easy to create plenty of opportunities to maintain your regular clients and to gain a whole new set of loyal customers.
A direct line to customers
Interacting with customers through social media is one way businesses
increase loyalty online. Responding directly to feedback from a customer
through a social network gives your business that human character that
earned you your loyalty offline. People respond just as positively to
this in the online world. Don't forget the Google Juice Bar can get you set up and give you a crash course on using Social Media for your business.
Gauging opinions
Customers are now more likely than ever to share their experience of a
shop, a restaurant or of any service provider using social media. This
means you can thank people for their positive comments as well as
providing a prompt resolution if something negative arises. This can
make all the difference in gaining and keeping loyal customers.
Consumers now hold a lot of sway over how a business is represented
online, embracing this is important as you begin using social media to
promote and provide information about your business.
Incentives
Incentives such as competitions, coupons or loyalty schemes can
encourage new customers to use your service and to think of you the next
time around. Setting up a free profile on Google Places will allow
customers to share their loyalty in the form of a review, or by sending
your business’ details to friends. You can also list special offers and
coupons on your business’ page on Google Places that can be used by
customers when they visit you in person. Offering certain deals
exclusively through online sources can be a great way of building a
loyal base of returning customers online. Sign up for a free Google Places page.