As a small business owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your customers feel safe in your space. Whether you’re a retail store, office, restaurant, or even online, you can take measures to ensure that your customers feel comfortable and safe while they’re on your premises. Here are five tips to get you started.
1. Keep Your Space Clean and Well-Maintained
One of the best ways to make your customers feel safe is to keep your space clean and well-maintained. A clean environment will help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria and make your business look more professional. Some business experts say that customers will think your products and services might not be worth buying if your space is unkempt and disorganized.
Especially amid the ongoing pandemic, be sure to regularly sanitize high-touch areas like doorknobs, countertops, and restrooms. These areas are breeding grounds for germs, and customers will be put off if they don’t see that you’re taking proper precautions. If you have carpets or rugs, vacuum them regularly to remove dirt, dust, and other allergens that can cause respiratory problems.
2. Have a Visible Security Presence
Visible security personnel will deter criminal activity and make customers feel safe in your space. However, it’s not enough to just have security guards present. You need to ensure that they’re properly trained and equipped to deal with any potential threats. You should also have a clear security protocol in place so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
On the other hand, if you don’t have security personnel, you can still install security cameras or have a designated employee who can act as a “security guard.” The security cameras will help you keep an eye on activities in and around your business, and the designated employee can help deter crime and provide assistance if needed. However, you have to be certain this person is calm, level-headed, and able to handle difficult situations.
3. Promote Social Distancing
In today’s climate, promoting social distancing is crucial for customer safety. If possible, rearrange your furniture so customers can maintain a safe distance from one another. If you run a retail store, consider installing plexiglass barriers at checkout counters. And be sure to post signage throughout your space reminding customers to practice social distancing and maintain a six-foot distance from others.
Apart from this, you can also add hand sanitizing stations near the entrance and exit and encourage customers to use them upon entering. Place signage throughout your space reminding customers to maintain a safe distance from one another and to wash their hands thoroughly.
4. Implement Contactless Payment Methods
Contactless payment methods are becoming increasingly popular as customers look for ways to minimize contact with others. If you haven’t already, consider implementing contactless payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or even good old-fashioned cash.
However, with cash, you need to be careful about how you handle it. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after counting it and avoid handling it unnecessarily. You should also encourage customers to use contactless payment methods whenever possible. This will help customers feel safe and minimize the risk of exposure to germs and bacteria.
5. What About Your Online Space?
Apart from your physical store, you can also make your customers feel like they’re in a safe space on your online channels. These channels often provide the first point of contact between you and your customers, so it’s important to make a good impression.
Start by ensuring that your website is secure and that all your customer data is protected. You should also have a clear privacy policy in place so that customers know how their data will be used. Additionally, ensure that your customer service team is properly trained to deal with any issues that may arise.
Next, keep your social media channels moderated for negative or abusive comments. These abusive comments might not necessarily be directed at you, but they can still damage your reputation. If you see any such comments, delete them immediately and take appropriate action against the person who posted them.
Finally, be sure to respond to any customer queries or complaints in a timely and professional manner. This will show that you’reYou should also have a plan in place for dealing with online complaints and reviews.
If everything else fails, you can create your own platform where customers can feel safe. This could be an online forum, a social media group, or even a private chat group. You can also work with professionals who can build your online community where you can post content, moderate discussions, and provide customer support.
Business owners today must make their customers feel safe in their space. By implementing some of these tips, you can help create a safer and more comfortable environment for your customers, whether in the physical or online world. Contactless payment methods, social distancing measures, and secure online channels are just a few ways you can make your customers feel at ease.
