How to Increase Return Customers: 9 Tips for Small Businesses

Running a small business is hard work. There are many things to think about – from marketing and sales to operations and finance. It can be tough to keep track of it all, let alone find the time to focus on customer retention. But return customers are essential for the success of any small business. They help you grow your revenue and maintain your profitability. This blog post will discuss 9 tips for increasing return customers for your small business!

Make it easy for customers to find what they're looking for

Your customers should be able to easily find the products or services they need on your website and in a timely manner. If your website isn’t user-friendly, it can scare away potential customers and make them less likely to return. Make sure you have a simple navigation system and plenty of information about your products & services available so customers can quickly get what they need.

Keep in touch with existing customers

One of the best ways to increase return business is to keep your brand in front of existing customers; leveraging a strong email marketing campaign is a great way to do so. A survey conducted by Statista found that for every $1 invested in email marketing, brands earned $36. Email marketing exposes existing customers to your latest promotions, updates, and achievements to remind them why they initially purchased one of your products or services.

Social Media is another way to keep in touch with existing customers. If your customers follow your small business’s socials, interact with their pages as much as possible. This can include liking their photos, commenting on their posts, and responding to their polls. Anything that makes your brand pop up on their device can lead them back to your website or storefront.

Keep your website and social media updated regularly

Customers are more likely to return if they know your website and social media pages are up-to-date. Make sure your website, blog, and social media accounts are regularly updated with fresh content that’s relevant to your target market. Having a discrepancy in prices and/or inventory can lead to customers taking their business elsewhere rather than making the purchase they intended on making.

Provide excellent customer service

Good customer service can make or break a customer’s experience with your business. Make sure you have friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help customers find what they need and answer any questions they may have. If possible, try to go above and beyond for customers by providing them with helpful advice or additional services that enhance their purchase. Additionally, be sure to solve whatever issues each customer may have with your product or service, doing so will ensure they keep coming back.

Reward customers for their loyalty

Creating a rewards program is a great way to reward customers for their loyalty. Offer discounts or special promotions to your repeat customers as an incentive to continue coming back and purchasing from you. If you structure your program to offer more rewards to longer-lasting customers, they’ll likely continue to shop with you to reach the more prestigious and valuable awards.

Promote special offers and discounts on your website and social media pages

Another way to get people to return is to provide them with special offers and discounts. Publish these on your website and social media pages, so customers are aware that there are additional incentives for returning which will encourage them to come back. For example, a 10% discount off their next purchase or free shipping if they use a promo code or coupon. In addition, you can take advantage of remarketing tools, such as retargeting ads on social media, to target people who have already visited your website and remind them to come back and purchase something.

Collect customer feedback and use it to improve your product or service

Gathering customer feedback is a great way to improve your product or service and ensure that customers are satisfied. Ask customers what they think about the products, services, and overall experience you provide. This information can help you identify areas of improvement that will make them more likely to return. Additionally, if a customer feels heard and appreciated, they’re more likely to return. So, be sure to respond to their feedback and show appreciation whenever possible.

Follow up with customers after their purchase

Following up with customers after their purchase is a great way to make sure they are satisfied and will return. Reach out to them a few days after the purchase to see how their experience was or if they have any questions. Showing your customers that you care about their satisfaction goes a long way and increases the chances of repeat purchases.

Create a referral program for existing customers

Creating a referral program can be an effective way to encourage customers to return and bring new customers in. Offer existing customers some sort of incentive (e.g., a discount, free product/services or even cash) for referring your business to their friends, family members or colleagues. This not only provides more value to your current customers but also helps spread the word about your products and services.

It’s clear that there are many different strategies for encouraging customers to return and make repeat purchases. From offering rewards for loyalty, promoting special offers and discounts, providing excellent customer service and collecting feedback from customers – these tactics can help increase sales in the long run. If you need assistance with implementing any of these strategies or want additional guidance on how to optimize your marketing plan, don’t hesitate to get in touch!