It’s that time of the year again, and everything is so…. well… pink. And hearts. And overpriced chocolates.
Cynical much?
A bit (but hopefully, in a graceful manner).
I feel that appreciating someone, whether a client or a loved one, should be a long-term investment—a rather big one for that matter, not an attempt to score some points on an over-commercialized holiday.
However, there is something about Valentine’s Day gestures that got me thinking.
What is it about those small things that we do that can do wonders for our relationships?
God is in the details, right?
What if we could treat clients as we do our loved ones?
Yes, digital
agency professionals know that meeting deadlines, creating detailed plans, communicating and providing reports regularly are important pillars of every
strong client relationship—but what about those little things that can make a client feel valued and appreciated?
Unsurprisingly, when people see that you went the extra mile to make them feel loved, they are more likely to trust and remain loyal to you.
So, buckle up and grab a box of overpriced chocolates (just kidding! 😅), because we’re diving into the little things you can do without investing unreasonable budgets or spending too much time.
1. Onboard clients with a small welcome gift
Speaking of feelings, one of the most powerful things you can do in the business world is to express emotion, showing that you care and asking how your clients are feeling.
Why? Because nobody expects you to. It’s much easier to be formal and a bit detached.
In the business world, it can be easy to get caught up in deadlines, tasks, and numbers, but it’s important to remember you are dealing with humans, and humans open up to other humans when feelings are involved.
Being personal doesn’t mean you are unprofessional; it just means that you understand people.
Just make sure to not get too personal or overstep any boundaries. Feel the room, or in your case, the client. You can try loosening them up with some casual conversation and some personal details, but if they don’t play along, don’t push it.
2. Express emotions, but keep it professional
Speaking of feelings, one of the most powerful things you can do in the business world is to express emotion, showing that you care and asking how your clients are feeling.
Why? Because nobody expects you to. It’s much easier to be formal and a bit detached.
In the business world, it can be easy to get caught up in deadlines, tasks, and numbers, but it’s important to remember you are dealing with humans, and humans open up to other humans when feelings are involved.
Being personal doesn’t mean you are unprofessional; it just means that you understand people.
Just make sure to not get too personal or overstep any boundaries. Feel the room, or in your case, the client. You can try loosening them up with some casual conversation and some personal details, but if they don’t play along, don’t push it.
3. Check in once in a while
Yes, you have your routine meetings with clients and not much time to spare.
But relationships are not recipes, where you add the exact ingredients to produce the perfect dish.
They are messy at times.
And so should you be.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should form an unpredictable relationship with clients; I’m just saying that in addition to your communication routine, you should just call to say ‘hi’ from time to time, to let your clients know they are always on your mind.
Here are some tips to get you going:
Take the time to personalize your check-in conversation—Mention specific things you remember from your previous conversation or ask about something you know is important to your client. This shows that you are paying attention and that you value their time.- Ask open-ended questions—Encourage your clients to share their thoughts and feelings about their business, personal life, and even their current challenges.
- Provide value—Offer resources or suggestions that could help your client improve their business or resolve any challenges they may be facing.
- Follow up on previous check-ins—If your client shared a concern or a goal during a previous check-in, follow up on it during your next one. This shows that you are committed to supporting them and that their concerns are important to you.
4. Show clients some social love
Spotlighting your clients on social media is a great way to make them feel recognized and appreciated. Highlighting their achievements and successes, or even just mentioning them in a post, shows that you are paying attention and that you are proud to be associated with them.
You can also share their content or blog posts, or simply like and comment on their social media posts to show your support.
5. Celebrate milestones and anniversaries
We love celebrating special occasions. We’re wired that way. Why not take advantage of that?
Milestones and anniversaries can include everything from the date your client first became a client, to the day you both accomplished a significant project or achieved a business goal.
Celebrating these dates is a great way to show your appreciation for your clients and strengthen the bond between you.
It can be as simple as sending a card, a bouquet of flowers, or a small gift to acknowledge the occasion.
6. Offer value-added services
Going the extra mile to offer value-added services to your clients can show them how much you value their business and care about their needs. These services don't need to be complicated or expensive, but they should be relevant and useful to your clients.
As a web design agency, there’s much you can offer, from a free yearly review of your client's site to optimize it, to SEO audit (check out the
WooRank App), to training sessions to help clients better use the tools they already have.
The goal is to provide value that goes beyond the scope of your initial agreement, making your clients feel like they are getting more bang for their buck and building trust in your partnership.
7. Be Independent: Do as Much as Possible Without Your Clients' Help
In order to build your client a website, you need their help with providing you the necessary materials to get the ball rolling.
Some clients secretly fantasize that they won't need to lift a finger in order to get the service they want.
Others just don’t have the time to deal with it.
While you and your clients are both accountable for the project's success and need to work together to get there, try to be as proactive as possible in getting things done.
What do I mean?
Do as much as possible without your clients and present them the results for additional revisions. That way they’ll have something to look at they can comment on or finalize to perfection.
For example, one of the things clients struggle with most is providing your agency with the copy needed to populate their websites. Instead of constantly reaching out to them asking for the copy, you can use generative AI tools (I’m sure you are aware of the buzz surrounding them) to generate copy for your clients’ web pages. Of course, this will not be the finalized copy, but your clients would really appreciate your independence and ability to use whatever resources you have available to save them time.
8. Offboard Clients Like You Onboard Them
Saying goodbye to a client can be tough.
As much as we would like to hold on to our clients forever, the reality is that some of them will eventually move on. It could be for a variety of reasons—budget constraints, changes in the company, or they’ve simply outgrown your services.
The way you treat a client when you part ways will shape their perception of your agency for years to come and can determine if they'll ever come back or recommend your services to others.
Like with onboarding, consider sending a small gift or a heartfelt note to show your appreciation for their time working with you.
And who knows, maybe someday they'll return to you with open arms, ready to reignite the love.
Every day should be Valentine’s Day
OK, maybe not every day, but you see what I’m saying, right?
Whether it’s a romantic relationship and a business one, the trick to making someone feel loved is not to take them for granted.
The little things that you do for your clients can have a huge impact on the success of your relationship.
From the moment you onboard them, to the way you communicate and celebrate special occasions, every little action can help build trust, foster loyalty and create a lasting bond between you and your clients.
So go ahead and make the most of this Valentine’s season, and put some love into your client relationships.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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