Getting to know your customers is really important if you want to be able to sell to them and come up with a marketing campaign that will actually work, but it can be pretty challenging, not to say expensive, to do that, right?

Wrong!

Well, it can be an expensive business, but it really doesn’t have to be, as you will see if you take a look at the following affordable ways to get to know your customers that are tried, tested, and work really well as part of any wider marketing strategy.

5 Ways to Discover What Your Customers Really Want (Without Breaking the Bank)

1. Just Ask Them (The Old-Fashioned Questionnaire)

The humble questionnaire might sound about as exciting as watching paint dry, but hear me out. They’re cheap, easy to create, and can give you a goldmine of info. Keep it short and sweet (no one has time for a 50-question survey), throw in a cheeky incentive like a discount code, and you’re good to go.

Bonus tip: ask open-ended questions to get those juicy insights, not just yes/no answers. Think: “What do you love about us?” rather than “Do you like our stuff?” Who doesn’t enjoy a little ego boost?

2. Social Media Stalking (The Legal Kind, Promise)

Your customers are already oversharing on social media, so why not take advantage of it for your marketing? Check out what they’re saying about your products, your competitors, and even what they’re having for brunch (you might spot a trend or two). Use polls, quizzes, and those nifty Instagram question stickers to gather opinions. It’s engagement AND research—two birds, one stone.

Just don’t go full detective mode. No one wants to find out their favorite brand knows about their 3 a.m. cat meme addiction.

3. Tap Into Reviews (The Good, The Bad, and The Hilariously Ugly)

Whether it’s your reviews or your competitor’s, there’s a wealth of info hiding in that feedback. Customers are brutally honest when they’re thrilled—or fuming—and that’s great news for you.

Read between the lines: “Fast delivery, but the packaging was a mess” translates to “I love your product, but step up your unboxing game.”

Pro tip: screenshot the funniest reviews for your next team meeting. Laughter is good for morale.

4. Track Their Moves (In a Non-Creepy Way)

Website analytics tools like Google Analytics are your best friend when you’re on a budget (or swimming in cash). They’ll show you what pages your customers love, where they’re bouncing off, and even what they’re searching for. It’s like being a fly on the wall, but without the risk of getting swatted.

Look for patterns—do they spend more time on your blog or your “About Us” page? Use that intel to beef up the content they’re clearly loving.

5. Listen in on Customer Support Chats

Your support team is sitting on a treasure trove of insights. Customers are calling, emailing, or chatting to share their pain points (and occasionally their life stories). Gather that info, spot recurring issues, and fix them before they become a trend.

Bonus tip: customers love brands that actually listen AND take action on feedback.

Knowledge is power—and it’s affordable!

Ciao,
Miss Kemya