Is it more affordable and efficient to retain a customer you already have, or search for a replacement? Most business owners agree that it’s best to keep their current customers in the fold, all while using a variety of sales and marketing techniques to grow their business.

Of course, this is easier said than done. There’s no surefire way to effectively retain your customer base. Instead, it takes a dedicated plan and attention to detail to put your business in position to succeed.

While there are an unlimited number of things you can do to retain your customers, these three tips are a good place to start:

1. Provide the Best Service and Support

No matter what, provide your customers with top of the line service and support. This means many things, such as:

• Answering questions in a timely manner
• Providing guidance and advice when possible
• Dealing with any issues as they arise, as opposed to putting them off
• Making it clear that the customer always comes first

When you do these things – regardless of your industry – you can be rest assured that you’re helping retain your customer base.

2. Ask for Feedback

There are many ways to better understand what your customers are thinking – such as by reading online reviews – but there are none better than asking for feedback.

You can do this in many ways:

• Contact customers by phone for a quick conversation
• Send an email asking your customers to complete a survey
• Ask for feedback in person, such as after providing a service

You won’t always like the feedback you receive, but remember this: every type of feedback, good or bad, can help you better serve your customers in the future.

3. Stay in Touch

When you stay in touch, you give your customers reason to come back to you in the future. Also, when you regularly display your brand to your customers, it’s less likely they’ll turn to a competitor.

There’s no shortage of ways to maintain contact with your customer base, with these strategies among the best:

• Social media
• Email marketing
• Post cards
• Attending industry events and conferences (if applicable)

Final Thoughts

The strategy you use to retain your customer base is important to the overall health of your business.

With these tips in mind, you’ll find it easier to retain your customers in the future. When combined with a solid effort to add new customers, you’re in better position to reach all your growth goals.

For more insights on marketing strategy that actually works for small business, subscribe to the FreshLime Newsletter here. Connect with Jay Bean, Founder of FreshLime and Small Business Marketing Expert on LinkedIn and Twitter. And last of all, if any of these tips have helped you or if you have anything to add please comment below. We’d love to hear from you!