In today's business world small businesses need to provide a quality customer service/follow-up program to their customers. 

A few reasons why customer service is important:
-  Growth of businesses providing services
-  Better understanding of our customers
-  Competition
-  Repeat business

When providing service to your customers cover the needs they have such as: Being understood and feeling comfortable when working with your service department or individual.  Nothing is more important to your company than the customer.  Without your customers, your company could not exist.

Providing customer service is a skill that is learned over time.  The more you do customer service, the more you learn to communicate with people.  Customer service is not for everyone.  A willingness to solve your customers concerns, good listening skills and patience are few of the qualities the provider should have in their personalities.

Other tips:

- Telephone skills should be very good
- Provide a fast response to customers
- Be dependable
Just remember, all of us are consumers.  We should treat our customers as we like to be treated as consumers.