Importance of Marketing of Services
Given the intangibility of services, marketing them becomes a particularly challenging and yet extremely important task. A key differentiator: Due to the increasing homogeneity in product offerings, the attendant services provided are emerging as a key differentiator in the mind of the consumers. E.g.: In case of two fast food chains serving a similar product (Pizza Hut and Domino’s), more than the product it is the service quality that distinguishes the two brands from each other. Hence, marketers can leverage on the service offering to differentiate themselves from the competition and attract consumers. Importance of relationships: Relationships are a key factor when it comes to the marketing of services. Since the product is intangible, a large part of the customers’ buying decision will depend on the degree to which he trusts the seller. Hence, the need to listen to the needs of the customer and fulfill them through the appropriate service offering and build a long lasting relationship which would lead to repeat sales and positive word of mouth. Customer Retention: Given today’s highly competitive scenario where multiple providers are vying for a limited pool of customers, retaining customers is even more important than attracting new ones. Since services are usually generated and consumed at the same time, they actually involve the customer in service delivery process by taking into consideration his requirements and feedback. Thus they offer greater scope for customization according to customer requirements thus offering increased satisfaction leading to higher customer retention.
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