Are you a client or a customer at your local bank, store or restaurant? Is this related to what you buy? So, what is the clear difference between these two words? These are all very good questions. Let’s learn in what situation(s) you can use each word so that you get it right!
customer:
A person who buys a generic product or service: food, shoes, clothes, etc.
Examples:
– First-time customers get a 10% discount on their books!
– Welcome! Are you a regular customer at this store?
client:
A person who acquires a professional service: financial, legal, repair, etc.
Examples:
– The accounting firm has a prestigious client portfolio.
– The credit company has a payment plan for every client.
Don’t Say:
Lawyers and accountants can have many customers.
Say:
Lawyers and accountants can have many clients.
More examples:
customer
– Please contact our customer service for any questions.
– Many people believe the customer is always right.
client
– Our firm always looks to establish a long-term relationship with our clients.
– Successful companies have a very strong client base.
EXERCISE
DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blanks with customer(s) or client(s).
EXAMPLE: Retail stores have more and more online customers every day!
*Note: A misspelled word counts as incorrect.
ANSWER KEY
1) Banks have a large client population.
2) The supermarket receives thousands of customers every day.
3) Smartphones are usually for customers who love new technology.
4) This 5-year labor contract has client-privilege information.
5) Prestigious companies have few high profile clients.
KEY WORDS
– The word client is used in political terms such as, “Client state”. For example, “Africa is France’s client state.” and “Many client states depend on other nations for economic support.”
– You can use many words to describe customers such as, ‘cash,’ ‘regular,’ ‘loyal,’ ‘long-term,’ ‘paying’: For example, “Maggie never pays with credit cards or checks, she is a cash customer.” and “The store is giving out discount cards to their loyal customers.”
