While often used interchangeably, "customer" and "client" have subtle yet important distinctions. A customer is someone who purchases goods or services from a company, while a client refers to a customer who develops a deeper, more ongoing relationship with the business.
Here's a breakdown of key differences:
- Nature of Relationship: A customer transaction is often one-time or infrequent, while a client relationship involves ongoing collaboration, trust, and communication.
- Level of Service: Clients often receive more personalized and tailored service than customers. They might have dedicated account managers or receive customized solutions.
- Focus: Businesses typically focus on building lasting relationships with clients, aiming for loyalty and repeat business. Customer service often focuses on individual transactions and resolving issues.
- Terminology: Businesses providing professional services, like legal or consulting firms, tend to use "client" to emphasize the personalized and collaborative nature of their offerings.
Examples:
- Customer: A person buying groceries at a supermarket is a customer.
- Client: A company hiring a marketing agency to develop a social media strategy is a client.
In short, a client is a more engaged and invested customer, representing a higher level of commitment to the relationship.
