The Art of Customer Service

If you are an independent web designer or developer, you probably love what you do, but if you've been in the business for a while, you've likely felt at one time or another that the art of customer service can be one of your biggest challenges. Customers know what they want, sometimes, but how do you tell that client that perhaps blinking yellow text and strobe light graphics might not be the best way to represent their business? After all, their business is their baby and a direct reflection of them, right? Right...well sort of.

I've known many business owners who have not one bit of interest in the business they're conducting other than seeing it as a great way to make money, while others see their business as a part of who they are and as such their web site should reflect their ideas as closely as possible. As the web designer and developer for hire, your primary objective is not to make the 'client' happy - it's to make their CUSTOMERS happy. It is in your best interest and theirs to make sure they know that up front. Happy customers mean more sales mean happy client, so never be afraid to tell your clients up front that you're there to help their business succeed and that the best thing you can do for them is find out what their customers preferences are. By communicating your intentions, listening to the client, and reminding the client to listen to the customer's voice, you stand a better chance of building a very successful Web site.