Death of A Salesman, Birth of a Customer Service Representative

November 13, 2023
a man and a woman are looking at a cell phone in a store with the help of a sales associate showing the importance of great customer service

Customer service is the direct connection between your customers and your business. It can make or break your reputation as a company, as it affects customer satisfaction, loyalty, retention, referrals, reviews, and revenue.


In this article, we will explore several reasons why customer service is so important for businesses, and how you can improve your customer service to stand out from the competition.

Customer service increases revenue


According to a study by Khoros, 83% of customers agree that great customer service is the key factor in transforming them into lifelong patrons. Customer service, in its excellence, serves as the linchpin for customer retention. When customers feel heard, valued, and supported, their loyalty solidifies, and the likelihood of them returning for future transactions significantly increases. Moreover, it acts as a catalyst for upselling and cross-selling opportunities, wherein a satisfied customer, already familiar with your brand's quality, is more inclined to explore and purchase additional products or services. In fact, Salesforce found that 74% of customers are likely to buy an additional product or service from a company that provided exceptional customer service.



Customer service reduces customer churn


Customer churn is the rate at which customers stop doing business with you. It can have a significant impact on your profitability, as acquiring new customers is more expensive than retaining existing ones. According to Bain & Company, customers are up to four times more likely to switch to a competitor when their dissatisfaction is rooted in a service-related problem. By investing in improving your service quality, actively seeking and acting on customer feedback, and offering incentives and loyalty programs to enhance customer retention and satisfaction you can help mitigate customer churn and foster long-term customer relationships.





Customer service reinforces company values and brand


Your customer service team communicates with your customers on a daily basis, which means that they are directly responsible for representing your brand’s mission and values. Great customer service can result in positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations for your business, which can boost your reputation and attract new customers. A positive public persona can also strengthen the way people see your products or services, and increase their perceived value.

Customer service boosts employee retention


While customer service may help maintain customers, it's crucial to recognize that when employees are treated fairly, they are more inclined to be motivated and inspired to provide excellent customer service. Employees want to work for companies that prioritize respect and fairness not only for them but also for the business's customers. When your employees see that your company is focused on delivering exceptional customer service, they are more likely to become advocates for the business and be fully engaged in their work. Studies have even shown that excellent customer service makes employees’ work easier, reducing stress, increasing job satisfaction, and increasing productivity.

a man wearing a name tag talks to a woman in a store - he's displaying great customer representative skills

Customer service is a competitive advantage


In today’s competitive marketplace, customer service can be a key differentiator that sets you apart from your competitors. Customers have more choices and higher expectations than ever before, and they are willing to switch to another company if they are not satisfied with the service they receive. While it may sound obvious to stress the importance of customer service, if you and a competitor are identical in every way, customer service is one of the few differentiating characteristics that can make or break your bottom line.



Customer service is another marketing channel


Customer service is not only a way to solve problems, but also a way to promote your products or services, and create brand awareness. By providing helpful and relevant information through avenues like live chat and informative blog posts, you can educate your customers about the benefits and features of your offerings, and persuade them to buy more or try something new. You can also use customer service as a way to collect feedback, testimonials, and reviews, which you can use to improve your products or services, and showcase them on your website or social media. 



Customer service creates customer advocates

a woman in a white shirt is shopping for a smart device, she wants to become a customer advocate because of the great customer service she's recieved

Customer advocates are customers who are so happy with your products or services, that they actively promote your business to others, without any incentives or rewards. They are your most loyal and enthusiastic fans, who can help you spread the word about your brand, and attract new customers. Customer advocates can also provide you with valuable feedback, suggestions, and insights, that can help you improve your products or services, and grow your business. 




Bottom Line


Customer service stands at the forefront of your business’ success, shaping your reputation, impacting customer satisfaction, loyalty, referrals, and driving revenue growth. Meaning, customer service is not just a ‘nice-to-have’, but a must-have for your business. For more insights into customer service excellence check out our show, Best in the Business, where we reveal the top businesses in your area and what it takes to be the best!

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