Relationships with customers are crucial for any business. But how can you connect with customers and build relationships that last?
Construction Executive magazine offers the following steps construction companies can take to build successful relationships with customers.
- Build trust. Customers want to believe your company is the most authoritative and reliable, and proving your experience can help. Be sure to offer in-depth information about your products and services on your website; this helps people believe they can make an informed decision. Educating customers can lead to trust.
- Listen and learn. It is important to listen to customer requests, but you can go even further by learning their motivations, lifestyles and interests. This helps you connect with the customer and ensure you are providing exactly what they need.
- Ask and relay. Feedback can help a contractor adjust for the future, but you also can acknowledge upfront how your company has applied feedback in the past to complete the requested task in the best way possible. This can promote transparency and honesty in the relationship.
- Check in. The project does not end when the work is completed. Be sure to email or call customers a month or even a year after the project is finished to ensure the strength and quality of the project. You also can use the check-in to show appreciation for their business and share new products or services that are available.
- Clear contracts. Construction projects include a lot of paperwork. Make your contract language as easy to follow as possible and be sure your paperwork is well-organized so customers can feel confident in your company. Customers also are more likely to come back if the process is streamlined and includes fewer administrative hurdles.
