Key Differences Between Customer and Client

The important differences between customer and client are discussed as under:

1. A person who purchases goods and services, from the company is known as the Customer. Client refers to someone who seeks professional services from the company.
2. There exist an agency agreement between the client and the service provider. Conversely, there is no such agreement between the customer and the business entity.
3. The customer engages in a transaction with the company whereas the company and clients are in a fiduciary relationship with each other.
4. A company focuses on selling the product and services to the customer. On the other hand, the company focuses on serving the client.
5. The company offers goods and services to its customers. Talking about clients, who seek for professional services like advisory, legal, consultancy and may more.
6. The degree of personal attention required in case of the customer is less as compared to the client.
7. A relationship between customer and business exist for a short term only. However, a customer can have repeated transactions but only for a limited time. In the case of a client, the business engages in a long-term project with the client.

Conclusion

The main difference between the words customers and clients is in the terms selling and serving. There are many instances that can make you think that these two entities are different. As for example, a company has the client of United States, to whom the company serves its professional services and at the same time the company offers and sells its products to the customers of different parts of the world.

Both are very important part of the organisation as they help the organisation to grow and flourish in the long term. The business should make products as per the demands of the customer and provide services according to the client’s requirement. This will prove helpful for the company to retain old and existing or new customers and clients.

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Customer vs client