How do you collect data on your customers?

[LeadMaster]

What are your preferred methods of collecting data on your customers to ensure you are providing them the products/services they desire so they will continue to return?

[ryantc]

Here are some ways to collect data from your customers that can benefit your company.
- Track Clicks That Lead To A Purchase and Clicks That Don't Lead To A Purchase.
- Allow Your Customers To “Forward” or “Tell A Friend”.
- Provide A Way To Annotate.
- Mine Search Data.

[billbenson]

What kind of business? Is it all internet or do you actually talk to people?

[Wozcreative]

I use PDF forms that I design and setup. Clients can fill them out and give me details about what they need designed, their contact info, questions on their brand, company service etc. When I set it up, they can easily fill it out inside the PDF and click "send" and it would email a copy directly to me through that PDF.

[Calcul8or]

Has anyone thought about using databases? They are amazingly powerful and can help you analyse all sorts of datasets to provide amazing insights into your own business. We specialise in Analytics and Database design and construction (desktop and online), and would be happy to discuss possibilities. You will be amazed how much more business they can generate for you by strengthening your relationship with your customers, and how cost effective they are.

[Harold Mansfield]

My system is pretty simple. I start taking notes from the first phone call and put relevant info in their file. I save all email communications, and I also have a Client Management System where they create their own profiles to track their account or activity with me.

As far as Analytics, I use just that. Google Analytics to see how people are finding me online, what people are looking for, and I also listen to existing clients. Online I double down on things that are working, and track new ideas to see if they are worth continuing.

I do follow ups periodically with previous clients to let them know about other services I can provide, and reward referrals.

It's not fancy, but it works. Next year I'm hoping to take it to the next level with a little more organization, a client newsletter and some targeted advertising.

[Core List]

As we are primarily online, our website records our customers details and the have the option to sign up to our Newsletter if the want to receive emails. Also I have setup Google analytics to get our traffic sources and actually see which avenues they come from (online) and which avenues bring the most customers, versus just visitors to our site. This forum is actually very good to us for bringing customers as small business owners are the majority of our customers that get use out of our products.

I assume you operate some sort of CRM Leadmaster?
Are you looking for advice or actual user experience and feedback for you system?

Regards
John

[Wozcreative]

My system is pretty simple. I start taking notes from the first phone call and put relevant info in their file. I save all email communications, and I also have a Client Management System where they create their own profiles to track their account or activity with me.


Which software do you use? Basecamp? Just curious as I've never been really happy with the ones I've heard of (BC included).