Don’t run your business into the ground by following bad practices. Discover the things that drive away customers and avoid these business turnoffs!
Customer experience is a top priority for all companies. With that in mind, you should avoid things that drive away customers because it will affect your sales. Check out these common business turnoffs and dodge these mistakes.
Poorly Maintained Facilities
Poorly maintained facilities are bad for business. Literally. Customers don’t want to visit a space with foul odors, dirty surfaces, and an unkempt appearance. Hire a janitorial service to keep the business clean. You can also assign employees to monitor areas and do light cleaning. For example, staff can wipe up spills and disinfect counters.
Bad Customer Service
One of the easiest ways to receive bad reviews is to have bad customer service. Interacting with rude employees isn’t a pleasurable experience. People won’t return to your business, and they’ll likely dissuade family and friends from your company.
Train staff to maintain a professional and friendly tone while speaking with customers. Always avoid offensive language and make sure customers feel comfortable inside the business.
Being Unresponsive
Businesses drive away customers by being unresponsive. Failing to return calls or answer emails is a huge business turnoff that companies should avoid! Ineffective communication makes customers turn to other companies for products and services.
Thus, you lose money and clients! Create an effective communication system that ensures timely responses to customers. For example, have an employee respond to emails and phone calls throughout the day to prevent ignoring clients.
Looking Unprofessional
Would you hire a lawyer that wears hoodies and jeans to the office? Most likely, no. Unprofessionalism damages a company’s reputation. Although you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, appearances matter in business. Simply put, inappropriate attire turns away customers.
It’s best to wear appropriate clothing or implement uniforms for your staff. You don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about your business.
Not Accommodating All Types of Customers
Although businesses have a primary target audience, anyone can enter an establishment. That said, it’s essential to accommodate all types of customers. For example, amenities such as wide aisles and accessible restrooms accommodate those with disabilities.
You can also accommodate different modes of transportation. For instance, a benefit of a covered bike shelter with locks is that it attracts people to your business. Companies unknowingly deter cyclists from businesses because they only prioritize vehicle parking. However, bike parking is important too!
It’s all about adjusting your business for potential customers.
Upselling Products or Services Too Much
Pushy sales associates are the worst. They make customers uncomfortable and hinder the client experience. That said, avoid upselling products or services too much. Kindly suggest upgrades or additions to services. Don’t force patrons to spend extra money.
