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When you are looking to becoming a great small business, you need to think about how you can capitalize the fact that you are different from what bigger businesses have to offer. Many small businesses decide to present themselves as being larger than they are, and this tends to be a mistake. You cannot offer the variety and some of the deals that a bigger business can offer, but what you can offer is great customer service that is very customized. If you are looking for a way to provide great customer service as a smaller business, there are a few things that you should think about and keep in mind.

First of all, get your business set up to make it easy for your customers to communicate with you. With big businesses, customers are often frustrated by how long it can take, and how difficult it is to be able to talk to someone outside of the customer service phone bank. Make yourself available to your customers on a regular basis, as much time as you can possibly spare. This will make your customers trust you, which will build loyalty in your business.

Be sure to check your email as often as you can, at least twice daily. With email, people expect quick turnaround; don't disappoint them. Being responsive to customer email will keep your customers happy and your reputation good. It bears repeating. Check your email often and respond as quickly as you can while trying to give a personal touch to your communication with customers.

Similarly, put your phone number out there, and then answer it when it rings! Make sure that people are aware that this is a line that runs directly to you, and then prove it to them by responding to it in a prompt manner. Having a phone number out there for your customers is ideal because it allows them to immediately place you in their heads as a real person, something that can be a little difficult to do if all they are getting is email. A phone number helps them associate you and your voice with the work that is being done.

Finally, after your dealings with your customer have been complete, give them a call a little bit further down the line and ask them how the product or service is working out for them. Ask them if there is anything further that you can do, and whether or not the product needs any tweaking. This is a great way to figure out what you are doing right with your product and what needs to be changed. This is also a great way to make sure that your customer remembers you favorably after the transaction has been completed.

Your ability to communicate is very important, especially if you are a small business, so take some time to really make it a part of your standard operating procedure!