1.  Provide Excellent Product/Service:  

Whatever the product or service you’re selling it must meet the expectations of the customer.  It must live up to the promise and provide value to the customer.  If the customer is not satisfied with the product or servie they paid for they will return angry to get their money back or they will not return at all.

2.  Make A Value Proposition: 

Give the customer an incentive to purchase the product or service.  If they believe that they are getting a better value from you rather than your competitors they will return for more.  If you’re selling a 12 inch pizza for $5.00 with any toppings that the customer wants and your competitor is selling the same size pizza for $5.00 but with a choice of only two toppings, then your proposition has more value than your competitor and will appeal more to the customer.

3.  Keep In Touch: 

Keeping touch with someone is a way to remind them that you care.  This is true in all relationships including a business-to-customer relationship.  Follow up with your customers not only to thank them for purchasing from you but also to inform them of upcoming opportunities for savings and excellent service.  Follow up in a timely manner with your customers.  The easiest way to do this is via email or direct mail, so be sure to get their email addresses or mailing addresses the first time they visit you (whether that’s in a storefront or online).  You should have a standard follow up email or brochure (that you personalize) ready to be delivered in a timely manner after a customer visit.  Don’t include too much details about their purchases because you don’t want to give the impression that you’re keeping close tabs on what they buy. 

4.  Sell Something That Generates Repeat Business:  

This is the tricky task but if you can pull it off it will go a long way to get them to come back.  If you sell printers and ink cartridges for the printer customers will have to come back to get more ink cartridges sooner or later when they run out.  But, if all you sell is the printer then they will go elsewhere to get replacement ink cartridges when it run out.  If you sell computers and the repair services then customers will come back to you when something goes wrong.  This will work well with some businesses but not with others.  You have to have the right product or service that can generate return customers.

5.  Provide Good Customer Service: 

All customers expect good service.  Violate this expectation and they will not return.  Treat Customers Well.  Provide timely service.  Answer their questions.  Address their complaints respectfully and timely.  Accept returns with hasseling the customer.  Don’t engage in delaying tactics if the customer ask to speak to a manager.   Approach them on a personal level (remember their names).   Provide assistance to help them navigate your store and find what they’re looking for easily.  Place the price on your products where it is easy for customers to see them.  Good customer service must be endemic to the culture of your business.  You must train your staff.  Every individual must understand this and conduct themselves accordingly.  Treat others the way you would want to be treated and remember the old addage “the customer is always right. 

6.  Offer Incentives: 

Incentivize customers to return.  Make them an offer they can’t refuse.  Some of the things you can offer includes:  Coupons, discounts, priority access to premium products, rebates, loyalty programs, free samples, etc.

7.  Get Customer Feedback: 

Listen to your customers, they will give you honest feedback if you ask them.  All you have to do is ask.  What your perceptions are about your service and products can be vastly different from what your customers think.  Getting feedback enables you to be proactive and address the needs of your customers.  The more you understand your customers’ experience the better you’re able to align your service to live up to their expectations.    A happy customer is a repeat customer.

8.  Show That You Care: 

Show your customers you care by acknowledging the special moments in their lives and offer your products or services to help them celebrate those moments.  Birthdays and  special anniversaries are some of the special moments that people celebrate.  Help them to celebrate those moments.  You can team up with other small businesses to come up with the appropriate package to show that you care.  They will remember you for remembering them.

9.  Manage Reputation: 

We live in a bold new world in which the reputation of a store matters.  Bad news travels fast and faster on the Internet.  Social media has given customers an avenue to vent and get feedback from others about services that they’ve used.  Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Angie’s List, Groupon lets consumers provide feedback about the businesses that they’ve used.  A bad review can turn off customers and prevent them from coming back to your business.  You have to manage your reputation online to ensure that you’re getting reviews.  Satisfied customers not only return but encourages others to frequent your business.  You can manage your online reputation yourself you can hire someone else to do it for you.  Encourage your satisfied customers to get online and give reviews.  Respond to negative reviews quickly.

10. Location, Location, Location: 

If you want customers to return to your business you have to have a location that makes it easy for them to do so.  Where you’re located can be a deterrent if parking is difficult to find or the parking fee is too expensive.  If you’re located in a mall where customers have to park then navigate the store to find your location this could be a deterrent.  Some businesses are not suited for mall locations.  You would’t place a hardware store in a mall, but a clothing store is ok.