Customers are the lifeline of any business. Letting your customers know that they are important and that their concerns and fears are your own can make you their trusted confidante. How better to bond with others than by being a confidante?

Listen well
Try to pay attention to what your customer is telling you without being distracted. If there is something that urgently needs your attention, asking your customer to excuse you will do wonders and make them know that you value their time. Try to remember certain details about each customer in the hope that they may become your long-term clients.

Know your customers by name
A person's name is music to their ears. Make your customers' day by calling them by name and trying to remember personal details they have shared with you.

Let your enthusiasm to help your visitor overpower your enthusiasm to convert them to a customer. When you are genuinely interested in helping your customers, and putting their wants and needs before your own, it shows and customers grow to love dealing with you. They automatically want to buy from you and they just can't keep from telling your friends how great your service is.

Treat your customers like your friends
When your customers buy from your web site, ask them to optionally enter their joyous occasions that occur on a regular basis such as their birthdays or wedding anniversaries. Have a program to collect these dates and automatically send them an e-card or a personalized newsletter wishing them for the occasion and offering them a discount that can be claimed within a specified time period.

Offer to personalize gift baskets for customers
You might offer to get a particular item that your customer knows that the recipient of their gift cherishes. That might mean going out of your way to acquire that special something. And, even though you might have to spend a little more on printing or getting pre-printed ribbons and the like, the extra touch that this personalization service does is one that will be remembered, appreciated, and talked about. There you go--advertising will be done for you!

Reward your customers
Especially when there are perishable items that could go bad, make little gift baskets well before their expiry date and give them as complimentary items when someone buys a gift over a certain dollar value. Your customers will love the unexpected gift and will think of your gift basket service the next time they are shopping for a gift.

Thank your customers
Sometimes "Thank you" is a forgotten word. And, in a hectic retail environment, it sometimes inadvertently gets the slip. Thank them and they will thank you thousand-fold--the many times they come back and are served by you.

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Wendy Wood is the owner of an online gift basket directory. Sign up for free Gift Basket Business Tips www.seekgiftbaskets.com/gift-business-tips.htm

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