Even if sales are coming through, you may not be fully pleased with the profits your business is experiencing. A smart way to raise income is to build strong, solid relationships with your customers. You might be fulfilling orders, but what else are you doing for the people who purchase your services or products? Try these relationship-building ideas.

Start a Consumer Financing Program

If you're selling some high-ticket items, you may know that some customers can't afford to part with so much money at one time. Other customers may be unsure whether the product or service is worth what you're charging. The items can sit untold for some time unless you do something to motivate them. Consumer financing programs could be your solution.

With a consumer financing program, you'll be offering your customers the chance to pay in installments. This will allow cash-strapped customers to enjoy the item, and when uncertain people get the item after paying one installment, they'll be eager to buy more. Providing financing for certain products can raise profits and make people prefer you to competitors who don't offer such financing.

Have a Customer Loyalty Program

Rewarding the people who keep buying from you will only inspire them to keep purchasing your offerings. Creating a loyalty program that offers special discounts, products, and other incentives will excite people. You might have a points program where they'll get a free, unique gift once they hit a particular threshold, for instance. 

Ask Their Opinion

Most of the actions you take as a business owner are driven by your own mind and the number of sales you receive. You might even get some feedback about the services or products you sell.

However, this can still leave you without much insight into what customers would like to see going forward. That's why you should ask them.

Using surveys and asking directly what people what and how you can better serve them is key. You might even get ideas that weren't even on your radar. You don't have to come up with all the ideas on your own. Your customer base can spark product ideas and give you guidance. Then you can sell to an even more enthusiastic audience.

Getting closer to customers will benefit businesses in today's world of high competition. Set yourself apart, and try these recommendations. Your customers will be happier, and your company can do better, too.