If you want to get feedback from your clientele you must provide them with the means.  Be it a printed card, a web site form, an e-mail survey request, or a phone call.  But which is best?

The best feedback method depends on your business.  If you have a business where people linger or take something with them, like a restaurant, then comment cards are a great solution.

If you offer a service where someone visits the client’s house then a brief survey or comment card (postage paid) will encourage your client to respond.

If your service is an intangible (like web design) then you’re probably best to offer an online solution in addition to a mail option. You’ll have to choose which is best for the client.

If you’re a service where people come to you, like vacuum repair, mail a comment card after the fact as a follow-up to ensure everything is working, that leads them naturally into providing a testimonial.

Finally, if you’re a retail type store use your receipts and offer an incentive for people to respond – or better yet, contact your customers directly (best for higher end stores) and ask them about their specific recently purchased products.

The bottom line – ASK!