Recently, Christy and I have been buying things to spruce up our house. We’ve been to certain stores like Lowe’s and others.

What has surprised us is something businesses have been dropping the ball on since 2019. Due to rising prices they seem to act like the number one thing customers want no longer matters.

Keep reading to find out the top reason customers stay with you. I’ll also share seven ways to give them what they want most.

Since inflation mysteriously rose in 2023, prices have conveniently went up for customers. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

• Prices went up but customer service went down because it’s believed people have to pay the prices no matter what.

• Most employees have lost the desire to serve customers. This is due to realizing they have other options.

• Business executives are happy with higher prices and low customer satisfaction as long as they see big profits.

So, what’s wrong with this focus? The number one thing customers want is higher value than what they paid for.

Think about it. When you pay a price for something it’s nice to get extra value out of the deal. It can be an incentive added, a two-for-one deal, and other examples.

Here are seven ways you can add value for your customers. The more you do this the more they will refer others to you!

1. Offer a Helping Hand

We bought a nice barbecue grill! The Lowe’s employee asked us something that shocked me. He wanted to know if we wanted help loading our grill. I couldn’t believe it!

Offering customers a helping hand is a value add they won’t forget. It shows that you care about them and are willing to go the extra mile to win and keep their business.

2. Offer Perks

When a new customer buys from you what perks do you give them? People love perks! They make you feel like a VIP. Check your products and services. What perks could you add to your top selling items?

A nice purse I bought for my wife one year ago came with a stylish wallet. I didn’t have to spend additional money to buy it separately. Yes, the wallet may have been included with the purse, but still!

3. Solve Another Problem

Customers buy solutions not products or services. When your customers buy something from you, offer to solve another one. People love to get offers to remove additional issues they are struggling with. Use this chance to be their White Knight!

4. Use Sneak Peaks

Everyone loves to know something others don’t. The same is true with sneak peaks of your upcoming products, services, giveaways, and so on.

What do you have coming up that your customers would love to know about? Which groundbreaking products do you have on the horizon that will make your competitors drool? Give your customers a sneak peak of them.

5. Free Trial Offer

Back in the door-to-door sales days, salesmen offered to let customers use their products for thirty days. They did it because once they got used to using the product and loving it, they wouldn’t want to part with it.

What kind of trial offer can you put together? Most online businesses give people two weeks to use their membership or other digital products. To some degree you can do the same with physical products. Try it!

6. Public Rewards

True confession. I don’t like casinos. But there’s something they do that keeps customers coming back. They publicly reward their winners. The belief is that “If they can do it, I can do it!”

When someone sees their name in lights it’s an experience they can’t stop telling others about. So, what can you do to publicly reward your customers?

7. Get Creative

If none of these examples strike you, no worries! Get creative and make a way to give your customers more value. Doing so will cause them to refer more people to you. Why does this work?

People are tired of being treated like another number. They don’t appreciate not being appreciated because prices are higher than ever. Set yourself apart and give them more than they buy.

Clyde McDade is the Cash Flow Workflow Copywriter at CMG Digital Marketing.

You can contact him at cmg@createmygraphicsva.com.