Get Real Customer Feedback
Most businesses could stand to improve in some way. If your company is not doing as well as you would like, it might be time to get some real customer feedback so you can change that. These four methods have worked for many businesses over the years, so you should try out at least one as you work toward improving the products or services you offer.
Surveys 
One of the most tried and true ways of getting customer feedback is to send a survey. You can send one to each customer by mail if you have their mailing address, or you can send it online if you have their email address. Of course, the latter option tends to be the most popular in recent years, and it usually leads to faster feedback. If you choose to offer the survey online, American Express OPEN Forum recommends that you use a simple tool, like SurveyMonkey, since it is an inexpensive way to let you see the opinions of numerous customers. Add some incentive to take the survey by entering customers into a drawing or offering a coupon once they take it.
Online Forums
Another great way to get real customer feedback is to set up a support forum for your customers. This way, as Forbes points out, customers can post their questions or comments, or even make suggestions that your company might want to implement. They can also read and reply to the comments of other people, creating an online community that your customers will want to check out whether they have a problem or an idea on how you can improve.
Social Media
One of the most basic ways to get real customer feedback is to use your social media accounts. You already use them to engage with your target market, so keep that rapport going by asking for feedback. Of course, you will probably get it whether you ask or not, since customers often post on business pages on Twitter or Facebook hoping to get fast answers to their questions. But when you ask for feedback on a particular product or service, you can keep some control of the conversation, ensuring you get some answers about how you can improve. According to American Express OPEN Forum, you can even post polls on social media to get real customer feedback on where you should build your next location or what kind of product you should debut next.
Reaching Out to Specific Customers
You don’t have to attempt to get feedback from all of your customers. Sometimes having some deep conversations with a select few customers will tell you all you need to know. KISSmetrics suggests that you find out which customers live near your business and then set up an in-person meeting with them. If this isn’t possible, you can always set up a phone call to talk.
Have you tried any of these ways of getting real customer feedback? Which one worked best?
