Relationships are essential to businesses. Customers who like the company and its employees are more likely to refer friends, post reviews, and stay with the company for a long time. That’s why it‘s crucial to maintain a friendly environment in your store or workplace.
Today, there are several ways businesses can interact with their customers to build relationships as well as understand their customer experience and measure their satisfaction levels.
As brands begin to build a bigger and better online presence, especially through social media, they can be used as an avenue for customer care and to build relationships. Aldi have used Twitter in a clever way not only to create a community of customers but create a brand identity through humour.
There are four technologies that can help you do just that by making customers feel calm, comfortable, and welcome: self-serve kiosks; ambient lighting; indoor maps of your business for smartphone users; and digital menu boards that speak human language instead of corporate jargon.
1. Self-serve kiosks
Relaxed customers are more likely to have a good experience with your company. Still, your employees can’t provide the same personal service level to every visitor you receive. That’s where self-service kiosks enter the picture.
These branded stations are an alternative to lines at the checkout counter or help desk. Your customers can use kiosks for tasks that don’t require human interaction. These include tasks such as asking a question that’s already been answered on your website or using an interactive map of the store to locate an item.
More and more companies and shopping malls are using them to promote a fun, easy going environment that customers want to be a part of. The kiosks can be found in various attractive designs in different shapes and colours that work better than generic kiosks that blend in with the background.
2. Ambient lighting
It isn’t enough to be selling products or offering assistance at self-service kiosks. You need to give customers enough space and freedom to think about which ones they want, which is best for their individual needs, and how much they’re willing to pay.
Lighting is a big part of creating a particular atmosphere for your business. For example, popular apparel brands like Abercrombie & Fitch use low lighting and louder than usual music to create a club-like atmosphere. This helps to attract their target market, teenagers, creating an attractive store and shopping experience. Lightning is often overlooked in business and goes by unappreciated. It is a significant factor that affects sales and employees productivity.
3. Indoor maps for smartphone users
Knowing where you are while shopping isn’t just a convenience ”it’s one of the most important things a customer can do before making a purchase. This means that each time someone arrives in your store, they should know exactly where the exits are and where their car is parked.
Maps and floor plans are a great way to help customers find their way around your store. But they need to be in real-time, so customers can use them as they move through the store or mall.
That’s why you should consider using indoor mapping technology for smartphones. It gives you a digital, interactive map of your entire showroom or retail environment, adding new features like notifications and push updates that put users in the driver’s seat.
4. Digital menu boards that speak human language
Forget the same old, boring menus and signs you’ve been using. Customers at your store often don’t have time to read through all that text you keep putting up.
Instead, try adding digital menu boards that speak human language ”this technology works with any kind of menu, including digital kiosks. The system can also be integrated with other technologies, such as digital signage or interactive touch screens.
When used this way, your customers can look at the boards at their own pace and decide if they want to ask about a particular item before they open up their phones to search for it on the web. It’s even easier to use for online shoppers who don’t have to look at a device, but just see the information as they move through the store.
