As a new business, building a customer base is only half the battle. Earning those customers' trust and getting them to come back for more business can sometimes be the harder part. With an ever-increasing number of competing businesses and savvy consumers, lack of variety and poor marketing strategies can make it difficult for a small business to stand out from the crowd.

A happy customer is a repeat customer - and repeat customers are the ones who keep cash flow healthy. Therefore, customer retention should be an important consideration of your business.

Here are some suggestions which should help your business with client retention:

1. Knowledge is Power

Make sure you are clued up on what is happening within your industry. Knowing about the latest developments and innovations not only helps you stay ahead of your competitors, it proves to customers that your business is proactive.

2. Stay Competitive

Keeping an eye on your competitors will help benchmark your costs and make you aware of what they are offering customers. Under-pricing is as harmful to sales as over-pricing. But remember, if you're offering something unique or a more personalised approach, your customers may be more than happy to pay a little extra for the superior service.

3. Communication

Good communication between you and your customer is vital in maintaining a long-lasting relationship. Occasionally that communication may not be positive however your customer will appreciate honest discussions and being made aware of situations. If you stay open with your customer they won't forget it when it comes to recommending a business that really cares. It doesn’t matter how you stay in contact, but as long as there is regular communication, whether by phone, email, Skype or in person, let your customers know that you appreciate their business.

4. Be Easy to Do Business With

When you respond quickly to your customer’s needs, they will notice and appreciate it. Respond as soon as you can, even if it is just to acknowledge their request. If you can, be flexible and go the extra mile. If you are aware that you may have a problematic situation on the horizon, be armed with an explanation and apology straight away. Explain to your customer how you plan to rectify the issue, and most importantly, listen. People are a lot happier to accept a change if their worries are acknowledged and dealt with.

5. Maintain Relationships

Tailoring a service to fit with individual customer needs may take a bit more time than a standard approach, but it is worth it. Creating relationships with your consumers will help to ensure repeat business and positive reviews.

6. Quality is a Priority

Implementing time saving processes will be beneficial however it is important not to skimp on quality. Ensure you have checks in place with the right people which will highlight any issues prior to customer delivery. You do not want to be on the receiving end of a disgruntled customer because of an error which could easily have been avoided had there been validations and checks in place.

7. Go the Extra Mile

It is important for a business to meet the needs of their customers, and one way to do this is to always over deliver. Customers will be pleasantly surprised if a company takes it up a gear and over delivers. You can do this by throwing in a new feature, a discount or a surprise gift.

8. Train Staff

A vital part of your company is going to be your employees. They should understand your business and be able to always deliver the best customer service. Your employees should be trained to a level where they can deliver to a high standard at all times to keep customers coming back.

9. Offer Discounts

Offer customers a discount if they, for instance, purchase in bulk, are returning customers, or pay cash up front. This will keep them coming back to you. Offer discounts on items that are more expensive or that customers might need to upgrade.

10. Get Feedback

A great and upfront way to figure out your customer’s wants and needs is to simply ask them for feedback. By communicating with your customers, you will be able to modify your techniques and procedures to better

meet their needs.