How to Get and Keep Customers for Your Online Business

The success of your online business depends on building and keeping a loyal customer base. Here are some tips for getting and keeping online customers happy:

• Offer multiple ways for customers to communicate with you (including e-mail, phone, real-time online support, and online forums).

• Respond to customer e-mail within 24 hours.

• Engage customers by providing ways to interact with your site (such as participating in online communities, writing product reviews, and commenting on blogs).

• Make customers feel special by sending coupons and other exclusive offers to your registered users or frequent buyers.

• Give customers several different payment options to make buying easy.

• Offer free shipping — no strings attached.

• Collect personal customer information (with permission) and use it to send special offers or gifts on birthdays and anniversaries and other special occasions.

• Find creative ways to thank customers for visiting your site and for making a purchase.