Before I started the company Simpleet Solutions with my partner, I was but only a freelance web designer. As a freelancer, the goal of your career was to get more jobs, make more money and spend it as you wish. Oh, I almost forgot to add – make a name for yourself.
While in freelance the initial idea was that, many do not take into consideration the customer appreciation and value of their work. In layman terms, did you care if the customer was happy with your work or do you think the customer would recommend you to someone they know?
Well, being a web design and development company now is no simple task. Besides getting the jobs, it’s also important to measure the success rate of the project. One of the ways to measure your customer appreciation and value is preparing a short but effective survey.
It’s very important to ask the right questions too so here are some suggestions you could include:
- Would you recommend our services?
- Are you happy to provide a testimonial?
- What do you think of us?
- What is important to you?
- Any other comments or suggestions?
Would you recommend our services?
Who wouldn’t want to get 80% of their business via referrals? Less time spent moving around and more time spent focusing to expand your business further.
Are you happy to provide a testimonial?
You can’t really have a standing ovation online per se but you do have many modes of testimonials to explore for your business. And some of these take the form of:
- Entries
- Blog reviews
- Audio
- Video
What do you think of us?
This is a time where you keep your axes and just listen to what customers have to say on improving your services or business.
What is important to you?
Even without asking this questions, you would guess for any business it is results. However, like shopping or traveling some customers may have a slight variation in the view of things.
Any other comments or suggestions?
Opening yourself up to improve your business this way may be risky but who ever said a business has no risk at all. The comments or suggestions by your customers could take you to the next step you were looking for.
So have you ever asked your clients one of the questions above?
[tags]Business development, Online survey, Customer value[/tags]
Hmm… I was thinking of blogging on a similar topic this Monday…
Nothing to stop you there, Bryan. :)
Share the experience here as well later.
Great article.
I’m currently working and leading customer appreciation campaign for my company.
This is great help for me.
Thanks.
I’m glad you found it helpful Omar.
Hope to see you around more. If you ever wanted to know more about the website industry, you can find a lot of informative articles in Website Lessons. :)
Danny could you please enlighten on the fact that if a company is an online portal, what can be the best strategies to retain users and asking users participate in the event?
Thnx
Omar:
Like every other client I consult, you have to tell me:
1. What does your company do?
2. What is its goal(s)?
3. Why did they choose an online portal and not a common website?
Normally, by asking the right questions will I then be able to give you further advice of the matter you’re asking. :)
Danny,
1) My company is a leading online b2b site.
2) Goal is to build trust and retain customers to do business thru us.
3) Users choose us because of the exposure given to their offers thru our site.
I hope i’ve answered what you enquired.
Omar:
I feel the strategy you should be using is marketing related. I’m no marketing expert but based on the models I’ve seen being used, the best strategy for you might be to implement a rewards program.
A rewards program has many forms from prizes, recognition, awards and to even cold hard cash. Because you’re an online portal trying to help other businesses expose their brand, I think you need to work closer with your clients to come up with programs which could involve your users.
For example; run a contest related to your customers brand. Ask a question users will need to either visit or browse your website to find the answer.
Trust can only be built if formed a stronger relationship with your users. That is why many businesses feel a blog is a way to directly communicate with possible customers. :)
I hope that helps.