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Whether you are someone who has been in business for yourself for years, or you are someone who has only recently taken the plunge, you'll find that good customer service is something that you have to think about. Unlike larger business, small business owners don't have someone keeping an eye on the way that they treat their customers; you don't have quality control in place, and you don't have a supervisor keeping an eye on you. However, you'll find that this does not mean that you can treat your customers any way you want, so whenever you are dealing with a client, keep some of these questions in mind.

Have I treated my customer as I want to be treated?

You would be shocked at how often people forget to treat the customer like they want to be treated and this is the most important thing to remember in business. It is easy to forget that your customer is an intelligent person when you are a vendor. Vendors can not afford to lose their patience and begin to treat customers like idiots. There are too many vendors that forget and do this when pushed beyond their patience levels though. Treating the customer as an equal takes time and consideration on your part.

Was my customer happy when they left?

Consider whether or not your customer left happy after you finished your business. Where they satisfied with the service that they received or were they glad to be done with the transaction so they could leave? What created this response to your work? Remember the impression you give your customers is what they will tell others when they ask about you. A little hard work is all it takes to make the customer happy; you want to give them a good impression.

What can I do to go above and beyond the call of duty?

You may be surprised how easy it is to provide excellent customer service. For some people, it will involve giving them more options and making sure that they are aware of all the choices that they have in front of them. For other people, you'll find that you can take the time to make sure that they understand what you are doing and why. Remember that you can always give them more choices and they will be happy with you for doing so.

Was I rude or polite?

This may sound nearly childish but a little courtesy will go a long way. You should be nice even if there is no money in it for you. Whether it is just advice or a simple service provide it free of charge when you can. This will get people to suggest you to others repeatedly.