Customer service is an important factor in business for one reason. Whether it’s a restaurant, retail store, or any other business that deals with the public eye, customer service sets the tone for how customers view your company. Everyone has horror stories about customer service. However, great customer service can turn around even the worst of experiences and leave lasting positive memories with customers. So what is it that makes people loyal to you?

1) Know what you are good at doing. Outside of knowing exactly what you want to do, develop unique skills for yourself and your business to make sure you are always providing top-notch customer service. This will ensure that no matter who works for your company or what issues may come up, every person knows how to handle the situation and will be able to leave a positive impression on the customer.

2) Keep promises. Even if it means you’re going to lose money, keep your word and follow through on what you say you’re going to do for your customers. If someone is buying something from your company or hiring one of your employees, they want to know that you are trustworthy and dependable. Making promises and breaking them can ruin any chance of creating lasting relationships with customers.

3) Do an amazing job every time, no matter how big or small the task may be. Whether it’s waiting tables at a restaurant or selling items in a retail store, go above and beyond for every single customer. Customers enjoy feeling like they are dealing with people who care about their business and want to help them. Going the extra mile to make a customer feel like they’ve had an amazing experience will go a long way for your company and establish trust with customers.

4) Have fun! The majority of people who work in customer service know it can be stressful, especially if you’re understaffed or there are too many tasks for one person to do. Having fun may seem like an odd step for building customer loyalty, but if employees enjoy what they are doing, customers will notice and it causes them to want to come back again and again. Treating employees well lead not only leads to higher levels of happiness among them but also ensures that they have the best possible attitude towards every customer interaction. By knowing what tools are available to track customer interactions, it’s easy for managers and owners to lead by example, ensuring all employees feel comfortable taking time out of their day to create an unforgettable experience.

5) Consistency is key. Do your best to always provide excellent service with a smile on your face even if you’re tired of having a bad day. Customers deal with enough different people throughout the week that they don’t want to feel like they are being passed around or having an up-and-down standard of service. If every person who interacts with the customer has positive experiences, customers will be far more likely to come back knowing they will receive exceptional care.