One of the cornerstones of running a successful business is cultivating a memorable customer service experience. Customers who feel connected to your business are more likely to stick around in the long run. In fact, according to a Microsoft report on the state of customer service, 69% of people think customer service is the most important factor for brand loyalty, and 59% of people have stopped doing business with a brand because of a poor customer service experience. As a small business looking to grow, your reputation is staked on how consumers feel when they communicate with you and your staff. So, what are some of the key qualities that turn customer service from mediocre to memorable?

• Knowing the product: When customers reach out for assistance from a business, they want to be met with a representative who knows what they’re talking about and can offer further insight into the product or service.
• Going the extra mile: Customer support teams that go above and beyond what is expected of them reinforce brand loyalty by creating relationships with customers that extend beyond just “doing business.”
• Providing omni-channel support: Offering support via phone, email and live chat allows you to stay connected with more customers and gives customers the opportunity to use the communication channel that works best for them.
• Giving back to the community: Companies that place importance on making an impact on their community show that they care about more than just filling quotas and making money.
• Asking for feedback: Customer feedback isn’t always delivered with rainbows and sunshine, but companies that put in an effort to ask for feedback and then take the steps needed to enhance their product or service are more likely to keep customers coming back for more. Additionally, 91% of consumers are more likely to use a business that has positive reviews.

Despite its seemingly simple concept, customer service is more involved than some business owners may even be aware. If you aren’t currently engaged in the essential attributes listed above, or if you’re always looking for ways to boost brand loyalty, then do we have a list for you! Check out these 30 companies with legendary customer service, and the lessons we can learn from their consistent approach.

1. Disney

Named the happiest place on earth for a reason, Disney is the unequivocal leader in creating an amazing and magical customer experience. Whether you’re visiting one of their theme parks, seeing a Disney film in theaters, or shopping at the Disney Store, you’re sure to be left with a sense of wonderment and awe. From looks to sounds and service, every aspect of the Disney empire has been carefully thought out and planned to ensure that visitors have the best experience possible.

Another thing that Disney excels at is making sure each and every visitor is treated like a VIP. It doesn’t matter if it’s your 1st or 100th visit; Disney employees take the Beauty and the Beast sentiment to heart, inviting you to “be their guest.” From character actors and vendors to ride operators and street sweepers, Disney emphasizes a “customer first” approach. In fact, the Disney brand is so successful in cultivating brilliance that they offer onsite courses on their approach to quality service. In their own words, “When an organization puts the customer at its core—empowering its people and unifying its processes—outstanding customer service becomes possible on a consistent basis, from the first greeting to the final meeting. When provided with exemplary experiences, a customer has a much greater incentive to return, as well as recommend us to others.”

2. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is so much more than their insanely addictive chicken and ultimate thirst-quenching lemonade. A big part ofChick-fil-A’s fame is their friendly and courteous staff, and their commitment to creating a positive customer experience, ending each interaction with the quintessential phrase, “My pleasure.” Chick-fil-A is often involved in local communities and charitable activities, like the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, which is an initiative to help restaurant operators fight hunger in their local communities. This community engagement helps create a positive image for the brand and promotes customer loyalty.

Boasting their “giving philosophy,” Chick-fil-A states that, “Everyone’s job at Chick-fil-A is to serve. No matter our title or job description, our reason for coming to work is to generously share our time and talents. Whether it’s treating customers like friends, or serving our communities like neighbors, we believe kindness is a higher calling.”

3. Amazon

Originally founded as an online marketplace to purchase books, Amazon has evolved into a multinational technology company and has become one of the world’s largest retailers. Amazon’s most notable asset is Amazon Prime, a paid subscription plan which has close to 200 million subscribers worldwide. Prime users reap the benefits of one and two-day shipping of goods, and have access to other features such as streaming, gaming and grocery shopping services.

Not only do customers of Amazon Prime love how quickly their orders are shipped and delivered, but most notably, how easy it is to work with customer service. Whether a product wasn’t shipped on time, was delivered damaged or was just not up to standards, Amazon’s return policy makes them a widely-trusted brand. Oftentimes if there’s an issue with an item, Amazon is quick to either refund the purchase, or send a completely new item in its place free of charge. Gone are the days where you have to call customer support and state your case. Users can simply log onto their app, click a few buttons, and the system handles the rest.

4. Chewy

Chewy is the #1 choice for pet parents everywhere. When I first adopted my dog, I of course turned to Chewy to order all of the necessary supplies. When one of my items came in damaged, I called Chewy’s customer service and had a genuinely fantastic experience. Not only was my rep friendly and helpful, she seemed actually interested to hear about my new family member. After our interaction, I immediately completed a survey to applaud my rep’s attention to detail and friendliness.

Chewy is known to go the extra mile for their customers in meaningful ways. Whether they’re sending free, hand-painted pictures of pets to customers at random, sending hand-written and addressed birthday cards for your faithful companion, or sending flowers and condolences after a beloved pet passes, Chewy is a name that stands out among pet owners.

5. Specialty Answering Service

Not to toot our own horn, but as the leading call center service provider in the industry, we prides ourselves on our excellent customer service. With over 500 5-star Google Reviews, customers are apt to agree, one such customer quoted as saying, “Exceptional team! A company’s essence lies in its people, and this group is outstanding, ensuring top-notch quality in every product they deliver.” While our Support staff is small, they are mighty in their abilities to assess customer issues and come up with effective solutions. Not only do we excel in solving problems, we take a proactive approach and reach out to customers periodically to check in, provide demos to show off new features, and ultimately provide an excellent customer experience.

In addition to providing top-tier support, our service comes with a state-of-the-art online portal that offers a ton of free features to sweeten the deal. Clients can securely text or call their customers right from their portal, configure numerous callback features to ensure we’re capturing every lead possible, and create completely customizable scripting solutions. In other words, toot toot.

6. Help Scout

As a help desk ticketing platform, helping customers is the name of the game for Help Scout. As a customer of Help Scout, I have never had a bad experience with their support team. Any time I have an issue or questions, their team has always been reliable, friendly, down to earth and most of all, helpful! Help Scout’s online knowledge base offers user-friendly tutorials, step-by-step instructions, and great tips and tricks when working with their software.

Help Scout is always improving their platform, keeping up with the latest technology to provide their customers with the tools they need to succeed. Recently, they’ve introduced different AI tools, like AI Summarize, which can be used to quickly summarize conversations in Help Scout, and AI Assist, which can be used to help enhance responses. Both of these features have been designed with the user in mind to ensure customers are getting the most out of their product.

7. Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is a supermarket chain that is known for its diverse and unique array of products, and many customers appreciate the high-quality and healthy selection of food. On top of that, the employees at Trader Joe’s are friendly and approachable. Often found wearing fun Hawaiian shirts, Trader Joe’s has succeeded in creating a casual and welcoming atmosphere for shoppers.

While the atmosphere and grocery options at Trader Joe’s are the main reasons that customers love to shop there, their employees steal the show. They excel at remembering frequent shoppers and creating relationships. And let’s not forget how superbly they handle unhappy guests, like when employees put on a whole song and dance for a toddler who was less than thrilled to be there. Where most other employees would turn the other way or even remark negatively, Trader Joe’s employees strive to make everyone’s experience a memorable one.

8. Duolingo

Duolingo is the leading language learning app that provides personalized bite-sized instructions based on users preferences. Users have total control over their own education, and not only can they choose which language they want to learn, but Duolingo offers multiple avenues to learn that language. For example, users can choose to focus on travel-based language, food-based language, or a mix of a little bit of everything! Duolingo also offers courses for different age ranges, so the whole family can get involved and learn at the level that best suits them.

Learning a new language can be daunting, so Duolingo makes it fun by incorporating gamification elements to keep users engaged. Users earn points, achievements, and virtual rewards as they progress through lessons, which helps motivate their interest in language learning.

9. Publix

Like Trader Joe’s, Publix is a grocery store chain that has perfected its approach to establishing a relationship with the community. They provide excellent customer service by taking input from shoppers and stocking items that they request. Publix also prides itself on selling quality products and offering Buy One Get One deals to help shoppers get the most bang for their buck.

In addition, some Publix locations extend services via their Aprons Cooking Schools, where customers can attend cooking classes and learn new recipes. This adds an educational and interactive element to the shopping experience, which sets Publix apart from other grocery chains.

10. Subaru

Growing up, my family always had Ford cars. When it was time for me to buy my own car, I knew I didn’t want to continue the Ford legacy because on more than one occasion, I felt unsafe driving in wet conditions. After a lot of research, I kept coming back to the Subaru brand, with countless reviews boasting about their safety and reliability. After purchasing my own Subaru, I was able to put the car to the test when I had to drive home from work in a snowstorm. My car did not fail me once, and soon after, my whole family converted from Ford to Subaru.

Not only do they offer a safe and reliable product, but every interaction I have had with their customer service team has been entirely uncomplicated. Any time I’ve needed to take my car in for service, they’ve always been warm, welcoming and efficient. Also, their dog commercials are super cute.

11. The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton is a luxury hotel that is known for providing elite service and an unforgettable experience for guests. No matter what location they choose, guests of the Ritz-Carlton can expect a luxurious stay with premium amenities. The brand consistently invests in upgrading its properties to meet the highest standards of luxury.

Additionally, the Ritz-Carlton offers a user-friendly mobile app that remembers guests’ preferences and allows users to chat with staff seamlessly. From the app, guests can call room service, view concierge tips, find local dining options, and track special offers.

12. Apple

The Apple brand is famous for producing products such as the iPhone, iMac, Apple Watch, and other widely-used services like iTunes and Apple TV. While the Apple brand is known around the world for its products, many people stick with Apple for their customer service. Whether users are chatting with a customer service rep in-store at the Apple Genius Bar or communicating online via Live Chat, they are sure to be met with reps who know the product they are servicing, inside and out.

Not only can customers seek help with servicing their products in need of repair or tune-ups, but they can also meet with Apple employees and attend special classes to learn how to get the most out of their products. The more customers can get out of the products they use, the more inclined they are to stick with a certain brand.

13. Zappos

Zappos is an online shoe and clothing retailer best known for their free shipping (always!) and their 365 return policy. Zappos prides itself on being a “customer obsessed” company and strives to maintain the “Four C’s: Commerce, Customer Service, Company Culture, Community.”

Another great aspect of Zappos and one that adheres to the community aspect of their “Four C’s” vision is their Zappos for Good program, which is a “collective effort to give back and protect the planet by providing prepaid shipping labels to support donation and recycling initiatives and donating everyday essentials to local schools.” From encouraging customers to donate unwanted shoes and apparel to hosting various giveback events, Zappos is a company that puts their customers and community first.

14. Warby Parker

Warby Parker is a predominantly online eyewear retailer that focuses on an effortless selection process. Most widely known for their Home Try-On program, users can choose up to 5 pairs of glasses to try on at home, for free. Not happy with the choices? Customers can continue to send pairs back and substitute other options until they settle on a pair (or two) that they love. For customers who don’t want to deal with the back and forth of sending and receiving packages, the retailer offers a virtual try on feature via their mobile app.

Since its inception, Warby Parker instituted a Buy a Pair, Give a Pair initiative in which the company donates a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair of glasses sold. To date, over 15 million pairs of glasses have been donated worldwide.

15. Starbucks

Starbucks is the world’s leading coffeehouse chain, with more than 36,000 locations worldwide. In addition to offering a wide variety of menu selections including seasonal, vegan and low-calorie options, Starbucks consumers continue to go back for the exceptional customer service they experience. For customers who are new to the coffee game, ordering at Starbucks can be overwhelming. One confused customer noted that a barista “made my day and finally helped me figure out the way to make my drink so I’d love it. She took time out to talk to me for 2 minutes to make my experience better than what I’m used to.” This is what we call distinguished customer service!

Another aspect that Starbucks excels at is the consistent quality of their products. Starbucks customers know that no matter what location they visit, their pistachio cream cold brew will always hit the spot.

16. Google

Google is a multinational technology company that has many claims to fame, including computer software, artificial intelligence, search engine technology, and consumer electronics. There’s no doubt about it – Google is a brand that everyone knows. Their search engine makes it a breeze to find answers to questions, tutorials, recommendations, and really anything else you’re  looking for information on. Their products are easy to use, streamlined, and offer comparative features to other similar name-brand products.

While Google may not have a singular customer service department, their search engine tool allows users to take matters into their own hands. The Google server can be accessed at any day or time, and with 40,000 searches happening every second, Google has made a name for itself in any household that has access to the internet. The ability to search pretty much any piece of information has led to a generation that has taken “DIY” to a whole new stratosphere fostering a sense of self sufficiency and empowerment.

17. CVS

When you think of CVS, you probably think of your standard convenience store where you can pick up prescriptions and buy household necessities. However, CVS is reimagining the health care experience with their Healthy 2030 Campaign, which is their initiative to increase the health of people, businesses, the community and ultimately the planet. With this program, CVS is striving to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to more communities. In 2021 over 159 million meals were provided to people who are food insecure and $185 million was invested in affordable housing.

CVS has also joined forces with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to help cut down on the plastic packaging used in their store brand products with the goal of reducing plastic products by 50% by 2030. Additionally, CVS has placed an importance on animal welfare by eliminating store brand products tested on animals and will plan to sell 100% cage free eggs by 2025. CVS’s initiative to better the lives of the community and environment as a whole makes them a commendable leader in corporate social responsibility and sustainability efforts.

18. IKEA

Ikea is the modern Swedish furniture store that thousands of customers across the world have come to know and love. Not only is Ikea famous for their vast selection of affordable and sustainable Swedish-style furniture, decor and housewares, but their unique in-store experience makes them stand out among other furniture retailers.

Customers can explore room displays, try out furniture, and find inspiration for their own homes. The layout of the store encourages a hands-on and interactive approach to shopping, which is unlike what other competitors currently offer. Ikea also welcomes shoppers to eat their famous Swedish meatballs right in the store and buy a bag for the family! Who doesn’t love a good meatball?

19. Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic is a British airline that has been in business since 1984. Known for its fun and charismatic approach to flying, its chairman, Richard Branson, took part in some wild stunts to garner attention – including hot air balloon rides and rappelling down Manhattan highrises, and advertised using somewhat off-color, humorous language to get noticed. The airline has always prided itself on exceptional service and ensuring passengers’ enjoyment. To that end, in 2009, a disgruntled passenger wrote a letter to co-founder Richard Branson over the quality of the food provided on his flight. Virgin Atlantic could have responded with a run of the mill apology and offered some travel credits; instead, Branson took measures into his own hands and invited the passenger to join Virgin Atlantic’s food advisory board to help improve their menu across different flight routes.

20. USAA

The United States Automobile Association, more widely known as USAA, is a company that provides insurance and banking products exclusively to members of the military, veterans, and their families. Consistently outranking competitors, customers love USAA for their empathetic and personalized customer support, affordable insurance options and their tailored services to meet the unique needs of military members. Users who bank with USAA tend to also combine other financial products offered by the company including credit cards, checking and savings accounts and auto and mortgage loans, making USAA a one-stop shop for a majority of customers.

Oftentimes, the needs of veterans can be overlooked, so companies that pay special attention to those needs help create and foster a loyal customer base.  In addition to providing unique services, USAA also offers discounts to military members which reinforces its support for the military community.

21. Nordstrom

Nordstrom is a luxury department store that has built and upheld a strong reputation among its customer base over its 123 years in business. Not only does Nordstrom offer high-quality products and a flexible return policy, but customers can rely on receiving five-star care from employees who offer personalized recommendations and display a core knowledge of the products they are selling.

Nordstrom’s customer-centric approach allows employees to understand and anticipate the unique preferences and needs of the individual. Helping customers “feel good and look their best” fortifies confidence in both the brand and the store-level team. In Nordstrom’s own words, “Fashion changes. Shopping changes. Our commitment to happy customers doesn’t.”

22. Costco

Costco is a wholesale retailer that sells everything from bulk groceries and clothing to car parts and home improvement items. Costco has become a “one stop shop” for thousands of consumers who are able to get most, if not all, of their shopping done without having to travel to multiple stores. The retailer is also famous for their free samples, which enhance the customer shopping experience.

In addition to their wide range of available products and top tier Kirkland Signature brand, Costco puts an emphasis on savings. Bulk purchasing models typically lead to lower per-unit pricing, which results in significant savings for customers. Consumers who subscribe to Costco memberships also gain access to exclusive deals, discounts, travel, and several in-store services.

23. Hilton

Like the Ritz-Carlton, Hilton hotels are known all over the world for their consistent quality, modern amenities, comfortable accommodations and excellent customer service. Hilton’s mix of 19 different hotel brands is always on target, providing a luxury experience at an affordable rate with transparent pricing. That means no hidden fees or surprise charges. This accessibility appeals to a wider customer base who may otherwise look for different accommodations when booking for personal travel or business related needs.

Another fabulous aspect of the Hilton collection is that 80% of their hotels are pet friendly, which means that guests can travel comfortably knowing their four-legged family members will receive the same great care they have come to know and love.

24. Lexus

When you think of luxury vehicles, over-the-top experiences are sure to come to mind, and Lexus drives home (pun intended) the importance of preserving said experiences. From their concierge services, where customers can schedule pick-ups and drop-offs for their service appointments, to the attention to detail customers receive at dealerships, Lexus maintains a level of quality assurance that other car companies can’t attest to.

Lexus believes that those who purchase their brand are intent on living life to the fullest. To help customers achieve that, Lexus created an avenue where owners can explore how the world looks outside of the driver’s seat. Lexus owners enjoy exclusive experience benefits under the umbrella LexusCare. In the company’s own words, “From discounts at luxury spas, hotels and resorts to premier culinary events and wine tastings, Lexus owners can indulge in a variety of experiential activities that are sure to delight and invigorate their senses.” These perks ensure that Lexus customers are well cared for, both on and off the road.

25. Target

Target is an American retail corporation with stores chock full of clothing, accessories, tech products, groceries, and everything in between. Target shoppers often agree that they don’t go into Target with a list or a plan. When they enter a Target, it’s almost as if the store instantly syncs with shoppers’ unspoken needs and magically guides them through a maze of aisles, uncovering all the things they never knew they always wanted. And just like their unforgettable logo, the store is remarkably good at hitting a bullseye.

As someone who loves Target, I can attest that going there is always an experience. Target has developed and partnered with several brands that offer quality products at prices that are affordable. Target also offers rewards programs and discounts, customer-friendly return policies, and let’s not forget that many stores partner with Starbucks! In-store shoppers can sip on their favorite beverages while browsing their favorite brands.

26. Freshworks

Freshworks is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform that specializes in providing software as a service (SaaS) to small and medium sized businesses around the world. Their robust software roster includes products such as Freshdesk, Freshchat, Freshservice, Freshsales, and more. It is truly an all-in-one answer to an assortment of needs.

The Freshworks development team is known for creating personalized solutions for based on the specific needs of their customers, and they adhere to a customer first approach where multiple team members may jump in and work together to resolve a customer’s issues. There are also a ton of customer stories detailing how Freshworks helped keep operations afloat via their software in a number of amazing ways.

27. Best Buy

Similar to Apple’s Genius Bar, Best Buy has a “Geek Squad” service that can assist customers with technical issues they may be having. Customers can meet with the Geek Squad in-store, or they can call their mobile unit to make house calls to help repair bigger items like TVs and major appliances.

Best Buy also offers trade-in programs and recycling services that make it easy for customers to get rid of old products like computers, cell phones, cameras, vacuums and more, and receive discounts on certain items just for recycling! At most Best Buy locations, customers can recycle up to three items per household per day. If a customer doesn’t have a Best Buy nearby, they can take advantage of their Mail-In Recycling Service and still reap the benefits.

28. Walmart

Like Target, Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation with stores that can be found all over the world. Walmart offers many types of products at discounted rates, which appeal to a wide audience of shoppers. Famous for their rollback discounts, which are temporary price reductions on a wide range of items, Walmart also has a price matching policy, which guarantees shoppers the chance to bring in competitor advertisements to receive the same price in-store.

Many Walmart stores are also open 24/7 which provides flexibility for customers to shop at various times, including late nights or early mornings.

29. T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a popular mobile telephone company and is the second largest wireless  network in the United States. People love T-Mobile for their features such as unlimited data plans, no contracts, and various incentives and promotions including their “T-Mobile Tuesday” promotion which offers T-Mobile customers freebies and discounts every Tuesday.

Alongside their innovative features, customers have grown accustomed to the reliable and efficient sales and support teams at T-Mobile. Whether setting up a new phone or looking for assistance with a tech issue, working with staff who are friendly, receptive and knowledgeable is an asset to any business, and the best way to solidify your reputation.

30. Kohl’s

Kohl’s is an American retail chain with over a thousand locations nationwide offering clothing and accessories at an affordable rate. Kohl’s is most widely known for their “Kohl’s Cash” – a loyalty program where customers earn cash back in the form of coupons for future purchases based on their spending.

Customers of Kohl’s can rely on the fact that no matter what store location they’re shopping at, they will be met with consistent inventory, great prices, friendly faces and employees that are always happy to assist shoppers with whatever they need.

Conclusion

Customer service plays a significant role in shaping the success and longevity of any sized business. It serves as the cornerstone of building strong relationships with customers, fostering brand loyalty, and ultimately driving revenue growth. By prioritizing exceptional customer service, businesses can stand out among competitors, enhance their reputation, and create positive experiences that extend beyond everyday transactions.

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