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13 Ways to Obtain and Use Customer Feedback in Local Business

13 Ways to Obtain and Use Customer Feedback in Local Business

Unlock the secrets behind gathering customer feedback to elevate business operations from industry leaders. Senior Web Developer and Founder share their proven strategies, ensuring credibility and expertise in the discussion. This article unveils thirteen insightful responses, starting with the importance of prioritizing open communication and concluding with the significance of monitoring reviews and conducting interviews. Join the conversation and discover how these insights can transform your business approach.

  • Prioritize Open Communication
  • Create Multiple Feedback Channels
  • Encourage Face-To-Face Feedback
  • Seek Feedback Through Various Channels
  • Refine Operations Based On Feedback
  • Use Email Surveys And Follow-Ups
  • Gather Feedback Through Multiple Channels
  • Value Customer Feedback For Improvement
  • Solicit Feedback Via Short Surveys
  • Use Google Forms For Actionable Insights
  • Obtain Feedback Through Surveys And Social Media
  • Collect Feedback Through Various Channels
  • Monitor Reviews And Conduct Interviews

Prioritize Open Communication

As the Senior Web Developer and Executive Director at Mango Innovation, obtaining and utilizing customer feedback is a core part of how we refine our services and operations. We prioritize open communication and use multiple channels to gather insights:

Direct Communication: We schedule regular check-ins with clients during and after projects, allowing them to share their thoughts on the process, results, and any areas for improvement.

Surveys and Feedback Forms: Post-project surveys provide structured feedback, helping us evaluate client satisfaction and pinpoint specific areas to enhance.

Support Interactions: Our ongoing maintenance and support services often uncover real-time feedback. Clients naturally share their challenges or requests during these interactions, which helps us adapt to their evolving needs.

Online Reviews and Testimonials: We monitor reviews and client testimonials to understand what they value most and where we can exceed expectations.

By actively listening to feedback from these channels, we identify patterns and adjust our operations—whether it's streamlining workflows, offering new services, or improving communication. This iterative approach helps us consistently deliver high-quality solutions and maintain strong client relationships.

Derrick Boddie
Derrick BoddieSenior Web Developer & Executive Director, Mango Innovation

Create Multiple Feedback Channels

Obtaining customer feedback starts with creating multiple channels for clients to comfortably share their insights. Over the years, I have found that feedback comes in many forms, structured surveys, direct one-on-one conversations, and data collected through platforms like Google reviews or video testimonials. For instance, I often conduct follow-up calls with clients after major projects to gather raw, unfiltered feedback. Additionally, I utilize tools like anonymous feedback forms to encourage candid responses, especially when addressing sensitive areas of improvement. Listening actively to this feedback is crucial, but more importantly, identifying recurring themes allows me to turn those insights into actionable improvements.

A prime example of this process in action happened with a business owner I coached in the UAE who struggled with customer retention. By creating a robust feedback loop including surveys, personal calls, and implementing live chat support on their website, we identified that customers wanted faster response times and clearer communication. Drawing on my experience in telecommunications and my MBA background in finance, I helped the client streamline their operations by implementing automated systems and training their staff to improve efficiency. Within six months, customer satisfaction scores jumped and the business saw a significant boost in repeat sales. This success reinforced what I have learned over decades of business coaching: listening to your customers is not just about fixing problems, it is about finding opportunities to elevate your business to the next level.

Encourage Face-To-Face Feedback

Customer feedback is essential to the growth of Ozzie Mowing and Gardening, and I prioritize gathering it through multiple channels to ensure I'm always meeting my clients' needs. I actively encourage feedback during face-to-face interactions after a job, as this is often when clients are most open about their experiences. Additionally, I use follow-up emails and online review platforms like Google Reviews to give customers the opportunity to reflect and share detailed thoughts. Social media has also been an invaluable tool, allowing me to engage directly with clients in a more casual setting and address their comments or concerns promptly. These channels ensure I get a well-rounded understanding of what we're doing right and where we can improve.

One example of how feedback has shaped my business operations involved a client who initially loved the quality of our work but found the scheduling process a bit confusing. They mentioned this in a Google Review, and I took it as an opportunity to enhance our booking system. Drawing on my 15 years of experience in gardening and my certification as a horticulturist, I implemented a streamlined scheduling tool that allows clients to book, reschedule, and confirm appointments with ease. The result was overwhelmingly positive, and many clients commented on how much simpler it made their interactions with us. Experiences like this reinforce my belief that listening to customers and applying both my practical expertise and operational knowledge can lead to tangible improvements in both service quality and client satisfaction.

Seek Feedback Through Various Channels

At The Alignment Studio, we prioritize customer feedback as a cornerstone for continuous improvement. We actively seek it through several channels, including post-treatment surveys, follow-up emails, and direct conversations with clients during and after their sessions. Additionally, we leverage online platforms like Google Reviews to gather broader insights. My 30 years of experience in physical therapy have taught me the importance of listening carefully to both verbal and nonverbal cues from clients, as these can reveal underlying concerns or areas where we can enhance our services. Regular team meetings also provide an opportunity to discuss trends in feedback and implement changes collaboratively.

For example, earlier this year, a patient mentioned during a follow-up call that they loved our physical therapy services but felt overwhelmed by managing exercises at home without proper guidance. Drawing on my background in integrating holistic care models, I introduced personalized digital exercise programs for patients, which are accessible through an easy-to-use app. This allowed clients to stay on track with their rehabilitation while feeling supported. The result was not only improved patient outcomes but also a noticeable increase in positive feedback about our aftercare. This process exemplifies how we take customer insights seriously, combining them with my clinical expertise and innovative solutions to refine operations and enhance the client experience.

Peter Hunt
Peter HuntDirector & Physiotherapist at The Alignment Studio, The Alignment Studio

Refine Operations Based On Feedback

We prioritize customer feedback to refine our business operations and ensure satisfaction. We gather feedback through surveys, social media, and customer support interactions. For example, 85% of our post-purchase survey respondents wanted more personalized gift options, prompting us to expand our customizable product range. Social media monitoring highlighted a positive response to our eco-friendly packaging. Our customer service team also logs feedback, which helped us identify and resolve website navigation issues, resulting in a more user-friendly design.

Using this feedback, we make direct improvements. Reports of shipping damage led to a packaging redesign, reducing complaints by 40%. Concerns about delivery times prompted us to partner with a new logistics company, speeding up deliveries by 20%. Enhancing our customer service training boosted satisfaction scores by 15%. Customer suggestions also inspired new product ideas, such as themed gift sets for weddings, increasing sales by 25% in the first quarter.

Our surveys achieve a 35% response rate, providing valuable insights. Feedback-driven changes have improved our Customer Satisfaction Score from 78% to 87%, and our Net Promoter Score increased from 62 to 75 over the past year. Actively using customer feedback helps us continuously improve our operations and stay competitive in the market.

Chris Bajda
Chris BajdaE-commerce Entrepreneur & Managing Partner, GroomsDay

Use Email Surveys And Follow-Ups

Improving Our Business Operations through Email Surveys after Project Completion

As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, obtaining customer feedback is crucial for ensuring we meet and exceed client expectations. We have a structured approach to gathering insights, including regular follow-ups via email surveys after project completion, where clients can rate our services and provide specific feedback.

I also personally reach out to key clients through phone calls or video meetings to dive deeper into their experience, especially after significant milestones or contract renewals.

For example, after a particularly challenging project, I initiated a feedback session with a client to understand what went well and what we could improve. This led us to refine our internal communication process, which ultimately helped us deliver better results.

Additionally, we monitor feedback through our CRM system to identify recurring themes or concerns. By taking actionable steps based on this feedback, we continually improve our workflows, ensuring a higher standard of service for our clients.

Gather Feedback Through Multiple Channels

At Ponce Tree Services, obtaining customer feedback is integral to how we operate and improve. We use a variety of channels to gather feedback, including direct conversations with clients after a job, follow-up emails, and online reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp. For example, after completing a tree trimming project for a customer concerned about safety during storms, we asked them to share their thoughts on the process. Their feedback highlighted how much they valued our clear communication and the way we left their property spotless, which reinforced the importance of maintaining those standards. As a certified arborist with decades of experience, I know how crucial it is to listen to clients' concerns and address them proactively. This feedback has helped us refine our workflow, from the initial consultation to the final cleanup, ensuring every customer feels their needs were not only met but exceeded.

One notable improvement came from feedback about enhancing educational communication with clients. A homeowner once expressed confusion about why a specific tree needed removal instead of pruning. Drawing on my TRAQ certification and years of arborist training, I began incorporating brief, on-site consultations where I explain the health and structural risks of the tree in simple terms. This approach not only reassures clients but also demonstrates our expertise and commitment to transparency. Over time, these efforts have earned us a reputation for professionalism and trustworthiness, leading to higher customer retention and word-of-mouth referrals.

Value Customer Feedback For Improvement

At Software House, we place a high value on customer feedback to continuously improve our services. We primarily gather feedback through post-project surveys, client meetings, and online reviews. These channels allow us to gain a deeper understanding of how our solutions are perceived and where improvements are needed. We also leverage social media to engage with clients and encourage them to share their thoughts, ensuring we remain responsive to their needs.

By analyzing this feedback, we identify recurring trends or pain points and adjust our processes accordingly. For instance, if clients express concerns about communication, we may implement more frequent check-ins during projects. This feedback loop fosters stronger relationships with clients and helps us stay aligned with their expectations, ultimately improving our service delivery and customer satisfaction. The key is to actively listen, make actionable changes, and create a culture of continuous improvement.

Solicit Feedback Via Short Surveys

Customer feedback is crucial at DialMyCalls, serving as a key driver of our business operations and guiding the evolution of our platform.

We solicit it via short, pointed surveys that capture customer sentiment about particular features or experiences, or in-app feedback tools that allow users to share the NPS real-time as they interact with our system. The idea is to make the feedback process quick, simple and straightforward. Furthermore, automated two-way text messaging in our platform has proved a potent method of gathering feedback, allowing one to converse with customers directly and instantly.

The result is quite measurable: customer satisfaction scores moved upwards 25% in the last two years while the adoption rate of product features increased 30% after the updates driven by customers.

Through aggregation and analysis, we use feedback data to identify major trends and uncover opportunities for innovation. This process ensures that every customer's voice contributes to shaping the future of DialMyCalls. Together, these insights help us evolve into a platform that consistently delivers meaningful business outcomes.

David Batchelor
David BatchelorFounder / President, DialmyCalls

Use Google Forms For Actionable Insights

At Penfriend, we prioritize customer feedback as a cornerstone for improving our business operations, and one of the simplest yet most effective tools we use is Google Forms. This allows us to gather actionable, real, insights quickly and efficiently without complicating the process for our users.

We create short, targeted surveys tailored to specific aspects of the customer experience, such as onboarding, feature usability, or overall satisfaction. We did this after launching our "Echo" and "Cluster" features. We sent out a Google Form to users asking about their experience, what they found valuable, and what improvements they'd like to see.

To maximize responses, we share these forms through multiple channels, including in-app pop-ups, email campaigns, and even post-support interactions. Our best responses come from our newsletter subscribers.

Because we keep the surveys brief and user-focused, we've been able to collect valuable feedback that directly informs updates to our features and services. This simple tool helps make sure that we stay connected to our customers' needs while continuously improving our offerings.

Obtain Feedback Through Surveys And Social Media

We obtain customer feedback through multiple channels, including surveys, email follow-ups, and social media interactions. For example, after a purchase, we send a brief survey via email asking customers about their experience and suggestions for improvement. Social media also serves as a valuable channel for real-time feedback, where customers share their thoughts directly or through reviews. We analyze this data to identify trends and actionable insights, such as improving delivery times or enhancing product features. By actively listening and making data-driven changes, we show customers their opinions matter, fostering loyalty and continually refining our operations.

Collect Feedback Through Various Channels

We obtain customer feedback through multiple channels, including surveys, direct support interactions, social media, and user reviews. Tools like in-app surveys and email follow-ups after customer support interactions help us gather insights on pain points and areas for improvement. Once we collect the feedback, we analyze trends and prioritize issues that affect the user experience the most. This helps guide product updates, streamline processes, and improve customer service strategies, ensuring we're continually evolving based on what our customers need and value.

Shreya Jha
Shreya JhaSocial Media Expert, Appy Pie

Monitor Reviews And Conduct Interviews

I obtain customer feedback through surveys, email follow-ups, and social media interactions. We also actively monitor reviews and conduct one-on-one interviews with key clients. This feedback helps me identify areas for improvement in our products, services, and overall customer experience. By analyzing the responses, I can implement changes that address pain points, enhance satisfaction, and refine our processes, ensuring we continuously align with customer needs and expectations.

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