by Callista Meyer

Created on: March 04, 2010

Customer experience is one of the main goals in starting your own shop. You want the customer to return again and enjoy their time in your shop. Chances are if a shopper has a bad experience, wether it be poor customer service or confusing layout, that individual will most likely remember the episode and pass along the poor rating to their friends and family. Positive experience, like that customer service representative that went the extra mile to help them with an item or price will be remembered and quite often a postive rating will be passed on from them.

Just how is a enjoyable shopping experience created for your new and returning customers though? While it may seem difficult and while you can not control your customers thoughts, you can try your best to make their experience a relaxed and enjoyable one. First and foremost, assuring your shop is clean and tidy will definitely draw customers in faster than a messy or dirty shop will. Along with a clean and tidy shop, your staff should be appropriately dressed. If you are going for a casual like shop than allow your staff to broaden their wardrobe to include something comfortable and relaxed. If your shop is to be more businesslike and professional, invest in suits or similar attire being sure the wardrobe matches your shops goal.

Next, glance over your shop's layout. You want your customers to be able to find key items quickly and efficently. Help your staff become familiar with the store layout as well so they can aid shoppers around. The last thing a shopper wants is to get lost in a maze of shelves and sale bins when they really just need those few items on their list.

Ask for feedback from you shoppers, either through personal conversation or comment cards at the checkout. It is important to hear what customers feel is good and bad about the shop and their experience. You could potentially hire a mystery shopper to come into your shop and offer you positive and constructive criticism from a shoppers point of view. Most importantly on this matter, LISTEN. If you don't take the criticism well than your shop may not improve. Use props to draw your shop out from others. For example, you have a bridal shop? Well, use your display window to suggest decorating themes or offer a wedding planning party or ideas for a wedding shower. Any little extra that makes your shop stand out a bit from the average or competitive will help you in the long run.

Creating a positive shopping experience is not just up to the store owner themselves. Those that set up the display, transport the product and help with the cleaning regime all make a difference when it comes to that enjoyable experience. With the above suggestions and ideas I hope that you are able to create the type of shopping experience you wish to offer your shoppers.

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