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One thing you may run across, in fact inevitably you will, is making a mistake. We all do from time to time. You may find yourself thinking that a larger business never would have made this mistake. While certainly possible, and there are things at which a larger company is simply better at, and there are difficulties you'll face that a larger business owner would not encounter, you do have some advantages over those companies. As a smaller operation, you can recover from a mistake much quicker, meaning you have a much better chance of retaining your customers. Keep reading - we've laid out a few vital steps to recovering from a mistake.

1. Own up!

The only thing that can make you worse than denying or trying to sweep a mistake under the rug is doing those things poorly. If a mistake has been made which affects a customer, do not delay. Notify the customer immediately - tell them what has happened, and if necessary, why the mistake was made. They will be appreciative that you made the effort, especially if you do so in a timely manner. A mistake that comes out later will leave customers wondering why you never bothered to tell them. Do not make this mistake on top of the one that has already been made.

2. Fix it

This one is obvious, but bear with us here. A large business will likely just give customers a refund and consider the matter forgotten. As a small business, this is not how you want to handle things. the personal touch is something small businesses excel in, and unlike the larger companies, you can't afford to lose a customer. Treat your customers as the important people they are. Try to make things right and replace the product, or as close to as is practicable. They will appreciate this, and remember making a personal call to them will go a long way.

3. Give them options

When something goes wrong, a client can feel very helpless when things are taken out of their hands. One way that you can help them feel a little bit better is by offering them a little bit of agency. Ask them about timeframes and what they want and what you can deliver. Ask them about their preferences and make sure that you incorporate this into your solution. You'll find that the more in control they feel, the better disposed they will be to you.

4. Go above and beyond

After you have gotten their problem fixed, acknowledge that it has cost them, maybe not in money, but in time. Once the situation has been resolved, you will want to take some time and make sure that they continue to have a good opinion of you. Perhaps a coupon off their next purchase or a free gift could do this, or some other extra that you can throw in. Make sure that they like you, and you'll find that they will continue to recommend you to their friends.

When a mistake is made, as they sometimes will be, your status as a small business can enable to make the most of a less than ideal situation. Use this flexibility you have to make sure your customer knows how important they are to you, and how useful your company can be to them.

Did you know that 68% of people will quit doing business with companies that have poor customer service? Learn the keys to good customer service - get effective customer service tips at http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Give-Great-Customer-Service

- Kale McClelland