4 Current Customer Pain Points and How to Fix Them

Companies that are most successful understand their customer’s pain points through and through.

Pain points are essentially problems your customers are facing. Figuring out what they are and positioning your business’s products or services as the solution to them is a recipe for success. 

Customer pain points are ever-evolving. However, these four are the most current. Work to ease them for your customers with the advice below. 

Inflation Is Taking Its Toll 

Inflation is the measurement of how much prices for goods and services increase over a specific period. It’s taking its toll on consumers and changing the way they shop. 

For example, the recent increase in prices has made it difficult for customers to afford basic necessities. Their disposable income has decreased significantly. As a result, they’ve cut non-essential spending and non-essential activities like dining out. 

Businesses can ease this pain point for customers by first acknowledging inflation’s impact on their customers. After that, you should determine what exactly “essential” spending and activities are to your customers. 

Asking them directly through polls and surveys is a great place to start. Focus groups and one-on-one conversations can provide additional insights. So can the customer data you collect via your marketing channels. 

Once you understand what essential spending and essential activities are for your customers, you can begin positioning your products and services as vital for their daily living. 

It’s Taking Longer To Get Products 

2021 data from Gallup revealed that 60% of U.S. adults were unable to get a product they wanted because of supply chain shortages, while 57% experienced significant delays in receiving a product they already ordered. 

We’re still navigating the effects of supply chain issues to this day. Ordering products and getting them is improving for many consumers. But some are still experiencing delays and inconsistencies that will ultimately sever their relationship with a business.  

The supply chain may still be spotty. However, you can strengthen your supply chain to better serve your customers. It starts with building good relationships with each of your suppliers. Communicate with them often and ensure it’s clear and transparent. 

You should also do the following to ensure your supply chain is as resilient as possible: 

• Lean on employee training, data, and automation to improve processes 

• Adopt new technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence to remain competitive

• Reduce risks by diversifying your suppliers and developing a contingency plan that accounts for supply chain disruptions 

• Measure key performance indicators (KPIs) like lead times and inventory levels to ensure your supply chain is functioning properly 

A strong supply chain will ensure your customers get the products they need fast and efficiently. 

Customer Service Is Lagging 

According to Talint International, “50% of the business leaders surveyed have been understaffed for 5-6 months, while 36% have been understaffed for 3-4 months, and 78% are currently understaffed.” Of these businesses that report staff shortages, 48% say they’ve lost customers because of it. 

A severely understaffed business can’t serve customers effectively. Workloads are so overwhelming that it’s hard to give each customer the care and attention they deserve. And when customers feel neglected by one company, they simply go to another. 

Labor shortages may not be your fault. But you still have to field the negative impact of what’s happening. Securing your workforce is incredibly important. You can do so by first recruiting and hiring the right candidates. 

You want to make sure you’re hiring people who fit your workforce needs and company. You’ll also want to ensure you’re offering them meaningful work, flexibility, and generous compensation and benefits packages. These among other perks are critical in keeping talented employees long-term, especially in the great resignation. 

Hire and keep quality employees to ensure your customer service never lacks. 

People Aren’t Being Paid Enough 

According to Zippia, 1.1 million Americans earn less than or equal to minimum wage. Even those earning over $100,000 annually are struggling financially, with 48% living paycheck to paycheck, as reported by Lending Club. 

Many of your customers aren’t being paid enough. Even those that you think are fairly well-off don’t have as much to spend as they used to. When people are struggling to stay afloat on the pay they’re getting, they’re hardly thinking about spending frivolously on a product or service, even if it’s from their favorite business. 

To help ease this customer pain point, you must first prove the value of your products and services. Going back to the “essential” spending we mentioned above, why are your products and services an essential purchase? How do they make your customers’ lives easier? How can you justify your pricing through the value your products and services bring?

It’s also important to establish genuine relationships with your customers. When a person has an emotional connection with a brand, they’re more likely to purchase from it than any other. In addition, you can better understand their lifestyle and find ways your products and services fit into it. 

Finally, you must review your pricing. This doesn’t mean dropping your prices to the point you don’t make a profit. But if you can find ways to make your products and services more affordable, do it. 

For instance, set up a loyalty program that provides discounts and coupons to repeat customers. Launch an ongoing clearance sale. Or reduce production costs so you can lower prices and maintain profit. 

If your customers are struggling financially, make their purchase and engagement with your business worth it. 

Conclusion

The pain points your customers face will be unique to them. But these four are current and most notable across a broad consumer base. Account for them among your customers and help solve them with the advice above.