Take Your Customer Service to a New Level

Customer service can make or break your business.

Happy customers are more likely to spend money, come back for more, and tell their friends and family how great your company is. Bad customer service can lead to customers who wouldn't dream of coming back and the kind of negative publicity you definitely don't want.

If you want your business to stand head and shoulders above the rest, it's time to take your customer service to the next level.

So, which businesses are already doing just that and what can you learn from them?

Get Personal

As the article "Soon Your Customer Service Will Resemble the Ritz Carlton" points out, the Ritz really knows how to make its customers feel valued.

From delivering their favorite newspaper to offering just the right dish in the restaurant, the Ritz staff knows how to make each and every customer feel not only valued, but truly known and understood.

A combination of attentiveness on the part of your employees and any data or details you have for each customer can be put to good use in crafting a customer experience that takes personal service to a whole new level.

Engage Empathy

When it comes to empathy, Zappos' call center staff hs it nailed.

With their longest customer service call topping nine hours, it's clear that Zappos is there for their customers, whether they need help customizing an item, or whether they want to talk favorite movies. And their efforts payoff: Up to 75% of Zappos' business comes from repeat customers.

Empathy and active listening are two of the most valuable tools in your customer service toolbox.

Employees who really listen to customers not only help them feel valued, but are more likely to recommend the products that the customer actually needs, rather than just going for the hard sell.

Put the Customer First

It sounds simple, but putting the customer first makes all the difference, letting your customers know that they matter to you.

That's how Ace Hardware is frequently able to compete with bigger name hardware brands. From the CEO to the IT team, every employee at Ace Hardware is aware that good customer service is the heart of what they do, building a customer-centric culture.

It's all too easy to think of your bottom line first, but in truth, your customers are your bottom line.

Put your emphasis on your customers and encourage a culture of going that extra mile to make sure they leave happy.

Take Care of the Details

Clothing retailer Nordstrom really understands that the devil is in the details. Their customer service ethos is built around providing a delightful customer experience from the moment they walk in the door.

This includes having plenty of staff available, so customers can get their purchases run up without standing in line, or be personally escorted to and shown around the department they need.

It's always worth going through your customer experience with a fine-tooth comb.

Think about what happens from the moment a customer enters your store, calls your business or clicks to your website. Map out every stage to make sure the experience you offer is pleasant and helpful from start to finish.

Reward Your Employees

Businesses that excel in customer service understand that customer service is only as great as the employees providing it.

Take Cloud services company Rackspace.

From a monthly competition for top "racker", to encouraging employees to treat each other as friends and family, Rackspace emphasizes team building and a culture that is fun and rewarding.

Help to motivate your employees with enjoyable training that's actually fun to participate in, regular rewards for top achievers, and by fostering a culture of respect and support for everyone in your team.

The importance of customer service for your business can't be overstated.

Put your focus on customer service and you'll be rewarded with happy, satisfied customers who love your business.