Best practices for customer greetings?
When greeting customers, always smile and be polite. Make sure you greet them when they first walk in the door, and if you’re too busy with another customer or task, let them know you’ll be right there to help. Avoid rushing to greet customers by shouting or clapping loudly in their direction- this can make things more awkward, rather than less.
1. Know your greetings
Before greeting customers, you should know what greetings you want to use. If your store is more casual and laid back, then greet everyone with a friendly “Hi” or “Hey.” If it has a more upscale vibe, greet every customer who walks in with a polite “Welcome to our store” or “How are you doing?”
2. Watch your tone
Just like greetings, your greeting style should match the kind of business you run. If you greet customers with a cheerful and enthusiastic voice when they walk in, it will help set a welcoming tone for their experience in your store. Using this technique is especially helpful if you greet customers individually.
3. Who do you greet?
When a customer walks into your store, who should greet them? For one thing, greet the customer who makes eye contact with you first. If your greeters are working in pairs or groups, welcome whichever person is closest to the door when it opens.
4. Practice makes perfect
Practice greetings with your employees until they’re perfect. Employees should greet customers as they walk in but must be careful not to be too overbearing or fake sounding with their greetings.
5. Keep it appropriate
When greeting customers, the store name and logo on your shirt/hat/jacket is already a form of branding, so avoid greetings that sound “too much” like your brand name. For example, a greeting of “Men’s Warehouse” or “Ladies’ Clothing” is appropriate for Men’s Warehouse and Ladies’ Clothing but not too suitable for a Gap or Nike store.
6. Eye Contact
Making eye contact is an essential part of greetings. It shows that you’re interested in the customer and that you’re paying attention to them. It also helps to build a connection with the person you’re greeting. When you are in client interaction, make sure to maintain eye contact and smile.
Greeting customers is an integral part of creating a great first impression, which can help you make or break a sale. Make sure greetings at your store are warm and welcoming, using greetings that match the tone of your store. A Friendly greeting consistently and individually will also help them feel more welcome whenever they arrive.
Consider small talk greetings.
There’s also the option of using small talk greetings, which aren’t specific to the store. For example, you could greet customers with “How are you today?” or “What brings you in today?”. This type of greeting is a great way to start a conversation with customers and learn more about them. It also helps create a more personal connection with your shoppers.
Distance is essential to the customer.
Especially now, due to COVID-19, personal space is more important than ever to the customer. When you greet customers, make sure to give them plenty of room and avoid getting too close. You should also avoid touching them or being within 6 feet.
