{"id":12491,"date":"2016-11-08T14:12:05","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T19:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=12491"},"modified":"2016-11-08T14:12:05","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T19:12:05","slug":"best-ways-to-survey-customers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/best-ways-to-survey-customers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Ways to Survey Your Small Business Customers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Best<\/p>\n

What are your customers thinking?<\/p>\n

One way to find out is to actually ask your customers. By surveying consumers, your team can learn how to improve the shopping experience. <\/span><\/p>\n

From customer service to product inventory, discover what makes your target audience excited. Their opinions do matter. And by soliciting feedback, you can transform your small business.<\/span><\/p>\n

'A great product and excellent customer service begin with getting to know who your customers are and what they need. To get that done, you have to gather customer information, and surveys are just what the doctor ordered for that,'\u009d writes <\/span>Zoe Uwem<\/span><\/a>, a content marketing strategist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore how to survey your customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Role of Customer Research<\/span><\/h2>\n

Customer research equips your team with the knowledge to serve your consumers better. It\u2019s an essential part in helping your small business grow. <\/span><\/p>\n

When collecting information, decide what you want to learn and the best route to gather the feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n

You want the process to be simple for the customer, but reliable enough so that your team can make business improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ross Beard, former marketing manager at <\/span>Client Heartbeat<\/span><\/a>, offers meaningful advice:<\/span><\/p>\n

'It\u2019s important to remember that a successful customer survey has high survey response rates, and accurate, actionable customer feedback. Only then will you be able to use customer surveys to make better business decisions to help increase customer satisfaction and reduce customer churn'\u009d<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider how the research will impact the customer. Then, develop a plan to meet those goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to Collect Customer Feedback<\/span><\/h2>\n

Simplicity is key when asking for customer feedback. Your buyers are busy; they don\u2019t want to waste time with tedious surveys. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, stick to formats more familiar to your customers. Here are four methods to get your team started:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Product Reviews<\/h3>\n

Most companies see product reviews as a marketing tool to lure in more customers. But they are also effective for improving your inventory.<\/span><\/p>\n

'Reviews can also support your competitive benchmarking efforts by helping you determine what customers like or dislike about your product, service, or brand, compared to what they like or don\u2019t like about your competitors,'\u009d writes <\/span>Chris Campbell<\/span><\/a>, CEO of <\/span>ReviewTrackers<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Request reviews from your buyers post-purchase. Ask for their opinions<\/a> on what made the product better than others on the market. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few recommended questions:<\/span><\/p>\n