Relationships require effort on both parts. However, when that relationship takes place in a virtual world, building a solid union between company and client can become even more difficult. There’s no face to face contact, little if no verbal communication, and nowhere to walk in and talk shop. So how can you improve upon your internet business and build loyal relationships for your brand?

Social Engagement- If you are offering your customers value and quality they’ll likely be back. In a social sense, this means their encounters with you must offer an answer or a solution to their problem, pique his curiosity, or add a source of entertainment in her life. Your goal in social media and engagement should not be making a sale. It should be fostering a relationship.

Ask for Feedback- Once you’ve earned a customer, it’s time to request their feedback. Asking pertinent questions about your products or services not only makes your customer feel valued, it helps you gauge what you might be doing wrong so that you can hone in on your areas of opportunity.

Establish Trust- All successful relationships require trust. Your customer needs to know that he can trust you to address his concerns in a professional and timely manner. He also expects you to deliver more than you promised. No hiding behind that computer screen!

If you want to build better virtual relationships you have to invest both time and emotion and be intuitive to the needs of your audience. It’s a great big virtual world out there. If you aren’t embracing your customer and making her feel valued, someone else will.