Repeat Customers

As a seller of primarily baby items, it can be tough to have repeat customers.  Mostly because as babies grow older they need bibs and blankets less and less.  Therefore, I try to get those customers who are always on the look out for baby gifts.  I worked on a blanket this morning for one such customer.

This is the 6th blanket I've done for her.  The first two she ordered, back in 2009, were for her boys and now she comes back whenever she needs another baby gift.  How cool is that?!

{is it just me or does that pacifier clip look like a dog's tongue?  How appropriate considering the fabric is a dog print. ;)}

Repeats

Pete and Repeat went down to the lake, Pete fell in....

No, I'm kidding. I'll spare you the rest of the joke.

In the past few months, (or I should say when I started paying closer attention) I have had quite a few repeat customers.

I've noticed a little trend, for lack of a better word, among them. The customer will purchase one small item from my shop, a $5 key fob or $7 bib. Then a week or so later, they'll come back and place a larger order.

It just goes to show how important customer service is no matter how large or small the order, especially when selling online. When a customer can't physically handle an item before they purchase, you have to be even more on top of answering emails, questions and the like. It's easy to get lazy and think "it's just a small item, this customer isn't as important as someone spending $50."

As a seller, I have no idea what type of social networks my customers have. One buyer purchasing a $5 dollar item could be sending a lot of other customers my way via word of mouth. Word of mouth and referrals is also huge when selling online.

Want me to finish that joke? ;)