Why Customers Leave (And How to Make Them Stay)

January 11, 2026โ€ขJomClient Teamโ€ข3 min read
Why Customers Leave (And How to Make Them Stay)

Do you know the #1 reason customers leave?

Not price too high. Not product not good. Not competitor better.

They feel like you don't care about them.

According to the Rockefeller Corporation study, 68% of customers leave because they feel ignored.

Not angry. Not unhappy. Just... forgotten.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Imagine this scenario:

A customer buys from you for almost 2 years. Not a big spender, but consistent. Every month, same order. Never complains.

She mentioned once that her daughter got into university. You said "Congrats!" and then forgot.

Her birthday? You wrote it down somewhere, but forgot to check.

Her reorder timing? She always orders around the 25th. But last month you were too busy. Forgot to message her.

Then one day - she's gone. Later you find out she bought from someone else.

Not because you did something wrong. Because you did nothing.

What The Research Says

This is not just one case. The data proves it:

Rockefeller Corporation Study:

  • 68% of customers leave because they feel ignored
  • Only 14% leave because of product dissatisfaction
  • Only 9% leave because of competitors

Invesp Research:

  • 48% of salespeople never follow up at all
  • 44% give up after just one follow-up
  • But 80% of sales happen after the 5th follow-up

McKinsey Research:

  • 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions
  • 76% get frustrated when they don't get it
  • Keeping customers is 5-25x cheaper than finding new ones

The Simple Solution (3 Steps)

Good news: This problem is 100% within your control.

No complicated system needed. Just 3 things:

1. One Note Per Customer

After every conversation, write down one thing.

Not an essay. Just one detail.

  • "Mrs Lee - daughter starting uni this year"
  • "Mr Wong - running marathon in March"
  • "Mrs Tan - loves chocolate, birthday Nov 15"

Before you message anyone, check your notes first.

2. Follow-Up Dates

Every customer gets a follow-up date.

  • Vitamins customer = remind every 30 days
  • Skincare customer = remind every 60 days
  • One-time buyer = check in after 2 weeks

Don't rely on memory. Set the date, follow the date.

3. Birthday List

Simple list. Name + birthday + one personal detail.

Every morning check: anyone birthday today?

30 seconds to send a personal wish. But they remember forever.

The Hard Part

Honestly? The system is simple. But doing it every time is hard.

When you have 10 customers, easy.

When you have 30, 50, 100... not so easy.

Common methods:

  • Notebook - works but hard to search
  • Excel - works but easy to forget to check
  • Phone notes - messy, no reminders

That's why we built JomClient - your relationship memory. The CRM that remembers so you don't have to.

Every birthday. Every renewal. Every detail. Remembered. So you never lose a client to a forgotten follow-up.

But honestly, even a notebook works. The important thing is: start somewhere.


Sources:


Ready to Stop Losing Customers?

Try JomClient free. No credit card required.

  • Automatic follow-up reminders
  • Birthday and important date tracking
  • Notes for every customer conversation

Don't become part of that 68%.

Ready to never forget a follow-up again?

Request a demo and see how JomClient helps independent professionals build stronger client relationships.

Why Customers Leave (And How to Make The... | JomClient Blog