by Bri Kennedy

Created on: March 03, 2007   Last Updated: June 13, 2009

Whether your business is online or in a traditional store front, customer service is the key to financial success.

FIND YOUR NICHE

There are as many online retailers as offline retailers in virtually any area of commerce. This means that if you want to attract a clientele, you will need to offer something a bit unique. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but you need to put a different spin on some of the traditional online offerings that will boost your sales. For instance, while it would be difficult to compete with the very well-known and trusted Barnes and Noble booksellers online, you might find your niche by offering college textbooks at a significant discount. This is an area that is not dominated by a few mega corporations.

BUILD TRUST WITH WEBSITE SECURITY

If there is one area of business in which having the latest and greatest technology is important, it is in the area of security. Nothing will drive your customers away like having their identity stolen while purchasing at your website. Invest in technology to maintain the security of your customers' credit card information and personal information. Also, nothing ticks a customer off more than a website selling their information to spammers or junk mailers, or a website that constantly spams their former customers, so DON'T DO IT!

OFFER FAST AND AFFORDABLE SHIPPING

In the early days of internet sales, many customers assumed that shipping rates were prohibitively high. I saw many items advertised on Ebay for which the shipping cost far exceeded the value of the item. Most consumers have gotten wise to this. Personally, I am offended when a website or Ebay seller asks me to pay a shipping and "handling" charge that significantly exceeds what I know is their reasonable cost of shipping. Like many other customers, I sell online and I know what it costs to ship. In addition, I know how long it takes to ship things across the country, internationally, etc. If I can get an item from Arizona to Canada, New Jersey, or South America in the space of 2-3 days for less than $8 in most cases, I know your business or any other business can do the same. When you base your profit solely upon gouging your customers on shipping and then take 10 days to ship their merchandise, you are going to lose business. People are not stupid.

KEEP YOUR WEBSITE IN GOOD REPAIR

Finally, one of the most important features of online sales is the maintenance of your website. You will build consumer trust by having links that work, shopping carts that work, and items that are actually available when the website says they are. Maintaining your website is an integral part of maintaining a customer base.

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