7.13.10: EASY, FREE WAYS TO KEEP CUSTOMERS COMING BACK FOR MORE...

by Jill Dudley

With so little time in a day, I, like others, am magnetized towards anything that can make my life easier and get things done faster. That is why it is so beneficial when businesses offer the most convenient, time friendly options regarding arranging appointments, paying bills, etc. If your company does not offer these time-saving tools, you risk losing customers to companies with a higher level of convenience.

HOW TO GET REPEAT BUSINESS: Make it easy for customers to choose you. I currently use Aesthetic Studio by Nails Only to get my nails done. I absolutely love them! If not for any other reason but that they offer online scheduling. I go to their easy-to-navigate website, pick the service I need, my preferred nail technician, and then I can see what dates and times are available. I can even do this from my iPhone.

With businesses where online scheduling isn't available, I usually make the call while I'm trying to do something else around the house. If they don't have the slot I prefer, I have to think of another timeslot quickly. Sometimes I'll pick a time that ends up being double booked on my schedule then I have to call back and reschedule or just cancel. (This is not good and totally preventable with online scheduling!) That is how regular customers become infrequent customers.

TOOLS THAT FOSTER REPEAT BUSINESS: There are many options available now that are FREE or of minimal cost to increase the convenience of your services to your customers. They may even help your staff be more efficient. These tools are not just for huge corporations. Small business will benefit too!

• GenBook is a free online scheduling application that has endless options and you can even access it from an iPhone.
• TimeForge is a web-based employee scheduling and labor management system that ensures staff stay informed of any schedule changes with text messages, email messages, Facebook, and smart phone access (such as a Blackberry or iPhone).
• Customers also appreciate keeping their information secure and easily accessible. Instead of typing their personal information into your website, utilizing PayPal as an option can make online payments/transactions simple, safe and fast.