5 Best Ways to Build a Strong Client-Agency Relationship
The skill of building strong client-agency relationships is the mark of a highly successful WordPress agency. Building and nurturing strong relationships with your clients is crucial to long-term success.
Client relationships will bring you reliable income and a strong reputation in your field.
It is important to establish a good relationship with your client from the very beginning. This way, your business will thrive, the communication will be smooth, and your clients will be happy.
In today’s article, I’m going to talk about the 5 best ways you can build a strong client-agency relationship.
Let’s get started!
TL;DR
Building strong client-agency relationships is essential for the long-term success of a WordPress agency. From setting clear goals to prioritizing communication, these strategies can make or break your business relationships.
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It’s crucial to set goals for your project. There’s no way to know if your project is a success if you don’t figure out what you want and how you’re going to accomplish it.
When you’re working for a client, this is especially relevant. It’s important that both parties are involved in this process, so each knows what to expect.
2. Make a complete break down of the project
Generally, it’s best to keep surprises to a minimum. It is not necessary for clients to hire an agency that can adapt quickly. What they need is a project that is well-oiled and well-organized.
You should describe your general working methods and how you will work specifically for this client. Describe your process and explain why it is applicable to this project.
Sharing case studies and examples from past clients is also a good idea. They will gain a greater understanding of what you specialize in, and they will be assured they’ve hired the right people.
The client also needs to know what’s expected of them. At what point do you expect their input and feedback? And why do you need their help.
You need to clearly define touchpoints with your clients. A touchpoint is how you and when communicate with the client. You might do this via weekly email updates, face-to-face meetings, etc.
Create these touchpoints from the beginning as a clear way to let clients be aware of when to expect your communication and what you will need from them.
This is the most effective way to avoid toxic spam from a client.
3. Prioritize Communication Above Every Thing
It takes time to deliver quality results. That’s why communication is a crucial part of building strong client relations. A client should never ask for project status updates. It’s better to be proactive in communicating issues and successes.
It’s critical to keep a client informed when plans or schedules change. You should always consider possible roadblocks and build in a buffer so you can deliver your work on time or early-but sometimes delays cannot be avoided. When a delay is expected, you should inform the client as soon as possible. That way, they can adjust their plans accordingly.
As well as keeping the client updated on your progress, you must also be familiar with the company’s culture. Consider ways to provide support from a reporting perspective, as an example, if a company-wide meeting is approaching. Anticipating needs can help you demonstrate your agency’s value to your clients and make their lives easier.
4. Under Promise and Over Deliver
It was the most important lesson I learned during my first traineeship in Agency. You have probably heard this concept before, and it is certainly not new. The problem is that few agencies acutally adhere to these guidelines.
Quite often, the opposite is true – clients find that their agency promises the earth on results and timelines in order to secure their business, but they can’t keep their word in the end.
Don’t overestimate your abilities. It’s best to remain cautious if you are uncertain. The client will be delighted if you are able to complete a project ahead of schedule. In contrast, if you deliver a week late, you risk losing their business.
Clients always appreciate getting a little extra in addition to what they expect. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money on these little extras, but they show the client that you value their business.
5. Ask and Give Feedback
The client-agency relationship requires honest and regular feedback, just as any trusted relationship does. It is impossible to gain insights and innovate without feedback.
In order to facilitate the conversation, agencies can send clients monthly maintenance reports so that the two parties can start the conversation and exchange feedback.
Hence, no one is left in the dark.
Final Thoughts: Building Business Relationships That Last
In the WordPress agency world, don’t make client relations an afterthought.
Although you strive to provide the highest quality work, if there is another company that offers the same services, the client may be tempted to look elsewhere.
When you have a strong relationship with a client, you can grow your business through referrals and word-of-mouth.
WordPress businesses are similar to restaurants: if the food is great but the service is bad, it is unlikely that you will keep many customers.
If you like this article you might also be interested about my article about how to manage multiple WordPress sites from a single place.