Seven winning customer retention strategies for your business

The average company gets 65 percent of their business from existing customers. It’s simply easier and more cost-effective to keep these customers than to obtain new ones. Here are a few more compelling reasons to increase customer retention: 

• Less expensive: The cost of acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one
• Higher spend: Loyal customers spend 23 percent more than the average customer
• Better word of mouth: According to HubSpot, 81 percent of consumers trust recommendations from friends and families over advice from businesses
• More trust: Loyal customers are six times as likely to try a business’s new products 

Because long-term customers are an invaluable asset to businesses — both as a consumer and as an advocate — having a customer retention program is essential for a healthy business. Consider these seven client retention strategies at your business. 

According to a Salesforce survey, 84 percent of customers say being treated like a person, not a number, is very important to winning their business. Create accounts for each of your customers. Not only will you be able to target your marketing based on their previous purchases, you'll have their names and basic information on file so that you can tailor your in-person, digital and print marketing and address them by their name. 

Traditional, human-to-human touch can deliver a big return. For example, including a handwritten note in your orders and following up with first-time customers with a postcard are effective retention strategies. Other great occasions to reach out include a customer’s anniversary, birthday or during the holidays. John’s Crazy Socks increased customer return rate by 2.027% in a single year by adding handwritten notes and human touches to their orders. 

The most straightforward step a business can take toward retaining customers is to improve their level of customer service. You need to deliver an amazing experience to every customer, every time — 33 percent of Americans say they’ll consider switching companies after just a single instance of poor service. In addition to improved retention, U.S. consumers are willing to spend 17 percent more with companies that deliver excellent service. 

Distinguish your business from competitors through "meet the maker" and educational classes. These customer retention activities connect people directly to your business and often lead to immediate sales. If the bulk of your business isn’t conducted in-person, a newsletter or brochure—focused on sharing information rather than making sales—is an effective way to build trust and cultivate an authoritative aura with your customers. 

Customers want to shop with businesses they feel good about — 87 percent of consumers say they’re willing to buy a product or service based on a company’s advocacy concerning a social matter. Don’t hide your social achievements. Brag about the food drive you held at your store, how much money you raised at your event or the percentage of profits you donated with a poster. 

Whatever client retention strategies you pursue, FedEx Office is the perfect partner for your business. We can help you reach your customer, communicate your message and keep them coming back to you day after day, year after year.

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