Regardless of how delicious your treats are, their tasty flavors alone aren’t enough to inspire customer loyalty. There is much more that goes into creating an incredible, well-loved local business. If you are looking for ways to offer your customers a more intimate experience, Empire Bakery Equipment has a few recommendations for you to try.

Put Your Customer’s Needs First

Form your niche in the neighborhood by offering your customers exactly what they need. As your business grows, think about the types of individuals that frequent your shop and what they are looking for. Do you cater to businesspeople grabbing coffee and a snack on their way to work, retirees who like to get together with friends in the mid-morning hours, or parents stopping by with their little ones for an after school snack?

Depending on your typical clientele, you can alter your menu or offer special discounts during different times of the day. For example, you can do 50 cent coffee refills before noon and buy two, get one free cookies during the evening hours.

Create a Comfortable Environment

Whether you offer free WiFi or have a couple comfy couches and a stack of newspapers and magazines available for customers to read, creating a comfortable and friendly environment is a key component to inspiring customer loyalty. Most individuals prefer to stick to a regular routine, and forming an environment where they can relax, read the daily newspaper and sip on a cup of coffee while enjoying one of your baked goods is a wonderful way to keep customers coming back.

Offer Classic and Trendy Options

In every industry it is important to keep up with trends, but as a bakery it is also important to provide customers with staple treats as well. Baked goods like muffins, cookies and pies will always be sought after, while specialty treats like French macaroons and cake pops will only be a favorite for a certain amount of time. Instead of only focusing on the baked goods that are trending now, continue to create the staples, so customers know you will always have the treats they need – whether they are picking up a pie on the way to a dinner party or stopping by to snag a breakfast treat before work.

Get Engaged with Social Media

If you aren’t already active on social media, sites like Facebook and Twitter are great for keeping in touch with your customers. Get engaged online, sharing information about sales and specials, as well as pictures of your most delicious snacks. Listen to what your customers are saying online, respond to their questions and make changes to your business as you learn more about what they are looking for.

Reward Customer Loyalty

Don’t forget to express your appreciation to your loyal customers to keep them coming back! Whether you create a customer loyalty card, offering a free coffee or baked good after a certain number of purchases, or send out a monthly newsletter with a coupon included, it is important to show your customers that you are grateful for their business.

Get to know your regulars, fostering the positive, personal relationships that foster customer loyalty in a small business.

One of the biggest benefits of being a locally owned shop is the ability to make changes that will improve your client’s experience, so don’t forget to listen to what your customers need to make your bakery the best place in town to visit!

Besides offering an incredible customer experience, it is also important to offer delicious and well-baked treats, which is where Empire Bakery Equipment comes into play. The right equipment can help to ensure the proper baking of your specialty treats and can make the baking process much easier for you, giving you more time to focus on the customer!

If you are looking to update your bakery equipment, visit Empire Bakery Equipment online or give us a call at 1-800-878-4070 to find the right supplies for your needs.