How to Get Repeat Business from Existing Clients?

We do tremendous hard work to get a new client. However, how to make the client keep working with us, so we keep on getting the repeat business from them.

As a developer, I always believe it is easier for writers or SEO niche to have much easier repeat clients. The client looking to develop a site or functionality is a one time process. But, the content for the website or doing SEO for the same site may be a long-term everlasting process.

So when we aren’t getting repeat business from existing clients, it can create a lot of doubts and questions in mind.

1. Do I lack something than others?
2. Has the competition got superior?

But the actual reason for clients not staying longer with us has nothing to do with how we are doing things but what we do.

The case for designers is even worse. A logo designer created an awesome logo for a client. So each time a client needs a logo, they will end up with the same designer, but then how often do a single client will need a logo? Or How often a client will redesign the site?

So even if you aren’t getting a lot of repeat business from clients, it doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. Still, it means you need to provide a lot of additional services or partner with complementary services providers that are more long-term in nature.

5 Ways to Get Repeat Business from Clients

A person who has already worked with you and if you can make them want to work more with you can instantly grow your revenue exponentially.

So let me share how I manage to increase repeat business from my existing clients and even managed to reach 10k USD from a single client on Upwork.

1. Build a Good Business Relationship

Building a good business relationship with clients helps in creating a comfort zone for both to work together.

A good business relationship with clients is the best way to get repeat business from clients for an elongated period. A good relationship with clients can even overshadow your inabilities.

As an example, I am not an expert in the Phalcon Framework. Still, because of a good relationship with my client, he was ready to consider me for the work. He knew, even if I don’t know it, it won’t be long enough for me to get going on it and start fixing things as soon as humanly possible.

2. Build Niche-Expertise to Create STRONG First Impression

The first impression is a lasting impression. So it must be a strong one. As a developer, if I can create a strong first impression, clients are more likely to consider me as the first choice of a developer.

To create a meaningful first impression, one has to build niche freelancing expertise.

Taking the same example of the Phalcon framework, I wasn’t an expert in it. I wasn’t even a newbie. It was the first time I was about to look at a Phalcon framework code. Still, the client had the feeling, with my expertise, I can pull it off in less time than the time he will need to find an expert in it using Upwork.

So building a great first impression with expertise will help you garner a lot of repeat business from clients.

3. Never Make False Commitments or the ones you Can’t Keep

Under promise, over-deliver. If you can’t, never make a commitment you can’t keep. Be it with delivery dates, creating a plugin, designing a theme, or anything else.

It is better to say no to clients in case you are short on deadlines.

As an example, if a client wants a functionality developed in a couple of days but you know it will take at least four days no matter how hard you try. For the sake of getting a client, if you make a false commitment and yet work hard to deliver in 3 days, it will still leave a negative impression. The better choice is to let the client know beforehand you can try, but it can take a little longer.

Always avoid making false commitments. Even if it has short-term benefits, there isn’t beneficial in the long run.

4. Build a Problem-Solving Attitude

When you focus on solutions for clients, it creates goodwill and trust. Trust is one of the main reasons for my clients to give me a lot of repeat business.

A recent example, a client recently redesigned his WordPress Blog and had a severe page speed issues with it. His designer installed all the available caching plugins for WordPress. The site became even slower.

I managed to make the site in working condition and suggested his current design included a lot of custom fonts. If he is ready to move over to system fonts like Arial or only load one single font, I can get the speed index in the green. He agreed on it. Eventually, he paid me more money than he paid collectively to the designer and the WordPress developer who converted the PSD into a WordPress theme.

The reason being, I was ready to solve his problem at hand. Now, for any design, he instructs the designer not to use any custom fonts, or if they are using, keep the number of the custom font to a maximum of one.

5. Show you’re the Better Than Others

As a developer, I am not a marketing person. So when I started freelancing, I had to learn it. Freelancers have to wear many hats.

Being an expert in a niche is essential, but it also means you have to be able to showcase your talent to attract more clients even if it is as simple as writing a good proposal on Upwok.

Blogging is one aspect that has helped me showcase my talent in many ways.

As an example, being a developer, many clients want to consult with me on SEO. When I showcase them my WordPress SEO checklist article, they almost instantly consider me for the consultation. Blogging not only helps me get repeat business from my existing clients but also allows me to get direct clients.

Showcasing samples can help clients to hire you more often.