What are the most important questions to ask a potential client?
The following answers are the results of our company's research together with many UN researches worldwide.
1. What should and what should not?
Clients may not always know what's best for them, but your job is to ask what they need. Instead of making assumptions, ask your prospects to share their pain points. What do they want and expect from you? Just as important, what don't they need? Use this feedback to adjust your offer accordingly – or drop that customer. Every potential client is not necessarily a good client for you.
2. What problems do you face?
As a design firm, we are often approached by clients with a specific goal in mind. "I need a website" or "I need a new logo" are common phrases we hear. However, the first thing we always ask our clients is, “What problems are you facing?” Only then will we know if they really need a website or a logo, because those are just two options out of a million more successful routes.
3. Who are the decision makers and what is the approval procedure?
Entrepreneurs often hit the sales pitch before they've even properly qualified the prospect. It's important to determine if you're talking and collaborating with the right decision makers and to understand the entire job or project approval process. If you forget to ask those critical questions early on, you may have to start over with a new stakeholder.
4. What are your expectations?
Be sure to follow the client's expectations during the project. As scope and expectations change, so should the contract or agreement. Discuss openly at the start of the project any risks of failure, budget overruns or consequences if things go wrong. Going through these "what if" scenarios will set the tone for honest discussions down the road.
5. What is your budget and when do you want to start?
For someone who makes furniture or cabinetry for kitchens and bathrooms across the country, the most important information they can get from customers is the total budget and estimated start date of the project. Knowing the client's budgets allows us to determine exactly which line of products or services to offer, and knowing the project start date allows you to accurately prioritize projects.
6. What would you consider success?
What would you see as success in working with us and how can we exceed expectations so that you want to recommend us to people you know? Asking these two questions helps us better serve our clients and ensure they are satisfied with our work.
7. What is the next step and when?
With a potential client, always be close with "What's the next step and by when?" The next step you're interested in may be setting up a phone call or maybe just asking for an answer or paying a pro-invoice. Either way, determine what you expect. Never leave it hanging in the air, but keep in mind the action you would like them to take and commit to the next action.
8. Is there a need and does it suit you?
Before working with a potential client, you need to know two things: Is there a need for your product/service and, if so, is it a good fit for your company? Without both, it is difficult to achieve a long-term relationship.
9. How can I help you do your job better?
“How can I help you?” and “What else can I do?” are two questions you should always ask your customer. They want to work with you because they need your services / support and we hope you like them to share their business ideas and vision with you. Your goal is to help them do their jobs better.
With all these questions, we give business beginners the creation of a website for up to 60 rate. See more on our website https://turmalin.rs/pocetnici/
