In today’s digital age, almost all goods and services can be found online. But due to the complicated nature of marketing and the sophisticated ways of the human brain perception, customers always show a certain range of emotions and behaviours while dealing with a brand. They want good quality, but they also want to know whether they are getting good value. That isn't come by judging the product or service they are purchasing, but by the availability and usability of the customer service.
Customer perception is nothing, but a marketing concept that refers to what customers think about a brand or a company’s services.
Why Customer Perception Matters for a Company?
Customer perception portrays an indispensable role in a company's ability to pull new customers and to retain existing customers. Sometimes, customers’ perception is influenced by word of mouth – recommendations from friends, online reviews, tweets, and social media rants. In other cases, it's influenced by customers’ own experiences – from both online and offline – that shape the way they think about a brand.
For gauging customer perception, companies require to glean all types of qualitative and quantitative customer data. They will need to look at resources like product usage reports, surveys, and customer interviews to get a precise view of customer perception.
Several factors influence individuals’ perception – advertising that a brand runs offer implied perceptions about their products, and influencers that surround an individual have an immense impact in making their decisions.
How to Drive Positive Customer Perception?
The smartest ways to drive a positive customer perception is to emphasize and encourage what makes a company’s business different from the competition in this age of rapidly evolving technologies and customer expectations. Today, companies have the tools to create a positive experience for their customers, even when unexpected events shape negative impressions.
Here are the best ways to design and deliver positive perception to the customers.
Create a Brand Voice
Companies should strive for truth in advertising and general communication. If a company say a product does something, make sure it really does. Because customers identify the voice with the value if it is reflective of a brand image and consistency.
Accentuate Positive Words and Statements
Developing trust and a positive impression in front of customers are very essential for the brands. This involves restraining the use of negative words, such as “we can’t do anything” or “we are trying.” So, agents should be trained to contemplate things from the customers’ perspective and equipped with positive words and empathetic statements.
Prioritize Customer feedback
Customer feedback is vital in making positive individuals' perception. It enables companies to address and deliver customers’ issues quickly that can satisfy them. For this, representatives should be knowledgeable, compassionate and responsive when communicating with customers.
Customers Follow Up
It is not sufficient to communicate with customers only while they are purchasing things. Making positive perception requires to follow up with customers to remind them your brand is coming with further changes in the market. Follow up with customers is also important to show them you are sorry for their inconvenience and unsatisfaction and for that your brand is taking strides to make changes to dodge similar situations.
Share Best Practices Internally
Discussing strengths and weaknesses with other teams in the organization, along with agents can improve brand value. Because exchanging knowledge and skills ultimately makes the entire organization stronger and enhances the standard of service.