As a business, you want to give your customers the best products, services and care as possible. This is the same for all kinds of businesses – whether you’re a retail business, a hospitality business or a service based business like a PR agency. Even though you might take the necessary steps to ensure a happy customer experience, there will always be unsatisfied customers – there might be an issue with your product or service, a delay or maybe a simple miscommunication.
Customer is king, and when a customer is unhappy, you need to address their grievances in order to prevent customer loss. Unhappy customers might also spread the word, which is definitely bad PR and can cause you to lose potential customers too. Here are some essential tips for dealing with unhappy customers.
Listen to what your customer has to say
When a customer has a complaint, you have to listen carefully and put your emotions aside – it is essential that you remain calm even if the customer is screaming their lungs out. Do not respond aggressively because this will only make your customer more upset. Complaints are not always verbal, it can also be written through emails or even reviews on various channels online. Pay attention to all the complaints you receive, this will help you understand the problem. With a better understanding of the problem, you can work on solutions to help avoid such complaints in the future.
Accept and offer help
Whether it is your business at fault, a product malfunction, or your customer was just unlucky to have a bad experience, apologize for any inconvenience caused. When you do this, you show your customer that you acknowledge their feelings. Don’t just stop at that, thank your customer for their feedback and also let them know that you will help them make the issue right.
Every problem has a solution
Now matter how complicated an issue is, there’s always a solution. Whether it is replacing a malfunctioning product, offering a refund, or something else, finding a suitable solution to make your customer happy is essential because leaving the issue unresolved could result in losing that customer.
Ask more questions to the customer and get them to talk about their problem. As you keep the conversation going, you will find it easier to get to the root of the problem. And you most definitely want your customers talking to potential customers about how well the issue was handled.
Follow up
After the complaint is handled and your customer agrees with the solution offered, you need to follow up. By doing so, you show your customer that you truly care about them. Making them happy can earn you a loyal customer for life and they will be sure to spread the word about.
How you deal with customer complaints can completely change the way your business is perceived. Address issues quickly and work with the customer to find a solution that is satisfactory. Fixing issues effectively can help with customer retention and also boost your business reputation.
The Human & Digital Communications Agency
Our award-winning communications team blends human interactions & digital engagement seamlessly to produce results for brands.
