No matter what type of online business you run – an affiliate marketing blog, a web design agency, an article writing company or anything else – it’s fair to say that you work with people on a daily basis.  Now, most of these contacts are generally going to be via email if you work online and could be anyone from a customer to an employee to an employer.  No matter, who you are conversing with it is always a good idea to be polite in your communications and not burn bridges unless you truly have no other option.  Here’s why:

1. It’s All About Who You Know

It’s likely that you have heard this saying before, and in the online world it couldn’t be more true.  Due to the fact that there are so many businesses online today that offer the same service, it is your reputation that will in the end, put you a step above the rest.  If a customer liked your service they are likely to recommend you to a friend and that friend could then also go on to recommend you.  Word of mouth advertising is completely free on your part and all you have to do is be professional and polite with every customer you provide a product or service to.  This can also work on so many other levels too from suppliers to employers.

2. Remember that Disgruntled Customers will Talk

If you do manage to upset a customer and don’t do anything to change the situation you should be aware of the possible aftermath.  A disgruntled customer at best could just bad mouth you to their friends.  At worst they could set up a blog which talks about the service they received from you and encourage others to share their bad experiences too.  It doesn’t take much for a disgruntled customer to optimise their website for the search engines or for them to share their blog on social media websites.  If this goes viral, it could mean the end of your business – in the worst case scenario.

3. You May Need Help at a Later Date

If you make a point of ending a relationship with an individual or a business or let them down in any way, you should also be prepared for the future.  If you work for someone on a regular basis but then have a large, better paid order come in it may feel like a good idea to cancel the regular work.  However if you burn bridges with the regular customer in favour of the large order, and then find out that it was just a one-off job, you may regret your decision at a later date when you are struggling for money and have no work to do.

4. It’s Bad Karma

I never used to believe in karma until I started working online, and although I’m no Buddhist, I honestly do believe that what goes around comes around.  If you do your utmost to run a professional business and truly care about your customers and your business interactions, you will receive nothing but good in return.  Likewise if you do burn bridges without thinking of the bigger picture, you may end up with more problems than you ever dreamed possible.  The bottom line is: think before you act, unless you are willing to deal with the possible aftermath.