1. Customer service

Owning a small business is an even bigger reason to make every customer happy.

2. Empower employees

b. Give your employees the authority to make decisions that can help your customers. Happy employees make for happy customers.

3. Say "thank you"

You'd be amazed at the long-lasting impact of a simple "thank you." Taking this extra step can make your business stand out.

4. Resolve problems

Look at complaints not as hurdles to overcome, but opportunities to earn trust and repeat business.

5. Reward loyalty

b. Your best customers deserve recognition and rewards. Discounts and loyalty programs are great ways to show repeat customers that you value their business.

6. Earn trust

Leverage your expertise to offer customers advice in your field. Helping a customer solve a problem, often pays off later.

7. Get social

Encourage customers to share their experiences using social media. Even negative feedback can have an upside. Replying gives you an additional chance to make your customers happy.

8. Identify with customers

Treat your customers as individuals. Get to know them on a personal level and invite them to events and gatherings.

9. Streamline pay

Find ways to streamline the billing process. Retaining billing and shipping information on a website makes it more likely a customer will complete a second purchase.

10. Just ask

Get feedback on what your business does well and what it could do better. Customers feel valued and are more likely to repeat business.

For more insight into how you can grow and protect your small business, check out the Small Business section of the Learning Center.