• Mystery Shopping your Customer Experience

  • What Should You Look For In Mystery Shopper Specialists? 

     

    When you own a business, no matter what industry sector you fall under, it is highly likely that a mystery shopping service would be incredibly advantageous to you. There are a number of business benefits to working alongside mystery shopper specialists and it is becoming increasingly common for people to use the unique services they provide to get under the skin of their business and improve their customer’s experience. 

     

    Of course, as you may expect, the amount you get out of a mystery shopping service will directly correlate with the quality of the company you choose to assist you. For this reason, it is incredibly important to ensure that you’re choosing the best team of mystery shopper specialists to provide you with the services you require. To help anyone who is trying to make sure they turn to the best company in this regard, below is a list of important things to look for.  

     

    A wealth of experience  

     

    This is undoubtedly one of the first things you should look for whenever you want to start working with a new company. With a wealth of experience comes a multitude of benefits and ideally, you should find mystery shopper specialists who have been working successfully in the industry for a few years now. Often, experience can provide you with peace of mind too.  

     

    Capable mystery shoppers 

     

    A company is only as good as the mystery shoppers that they send to carry out the mystery shop. So, it is essential that you look out for a company that provides exemplary ongoing training and support to their team. The mystery shoppers they send out should have impressive attention to detail too, enabling them to provide helpful, well-rounded and honest feedback.  

    Mystery Shopper TrainingUnique tailor-made programmes  

     

    No two businesses are the same and, for this reason, it is essential to check the way that a company works. Never turn to a company that has a ‘one size fits all’ approach, this simply won’t be effective. Ideally, they should build unique programmes that are specific to each business that they work with. This is one of the most important things to look out for.  

     

    Knowledge of your market  

     

    Looking at the different industry sectors mystery shopper specialists work in and who their current clients are is always beneficial. Choosing someone who has expertise in your sector is incredibly helpful and it means that they will have real-life experience and knowledge, which is invaluable. You can take a look at their case studies to find out more too.  

     

    Numerous different services  

     

    It is always beneficial to look into all of the services offered by mystery shopper specialists. Whilst you may think that you only require face-to-face mystery shopping, for example, it may actually be helpful to make use of other services such as; online and telephone mystery shopping too. So, ensure you find a company with a comprehensive range of services.  

     

    Impressive core values  

     

    You will be placing a lot of trust in the mystery shopper company you choose. For this reason, it is essential that they have good core values and that they actually abide/live by these. The last thing you want to do is take advice from a company with poor values, no vision and who doesn’t live up to the high standards that they have set for themselves.  

    Finding mystery shopper specialists you can rely on 

     

    Nowadays, as the demand increases and many businesses begin to use mystery shopper services, it is becoming harder to navigate the many different companies offering these services. Hopefully, this list of important things to look for will help you to ensure that you choose the very best team of mystery shopper specialists to assist you. When a company has everything mentioned above, you should be able to confidently choose them knowing that you will be in safe and experienced hands.  

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    When searching for mystery shopper specialists, be sure to visit the Proinsight website. We pride ourselves on providing nothing but exemplary services and we have the team, the skills and the experience to help businesses of all shapes and sizes understand their unique customer journey and improve their position in the marketplace. Should you have any questions at all about the services we provide or us as a company, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will gladly provide you with any additional information that you may require in this regard.  


      David Hopkins

      David Hopkins

      Managing Director at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

      David has a long history in the business of doing good business. In 2008, he co-founded Proleisure, a leisure consulting company, where he identified a growing need for deeper customer insights across the industry. This led to the launch of Proinsight Mystery Shopping in 2014, with a vision to provide businesses with the valuable data needed to enhance customer experience.

      Now, as we approach our 10th year, Proinsight has become a leading provider of specialist mystery shopping, auditing, and research programs, serving a diverse range of sectors across the UK including real estate, fitness, retail, hospitality, and so many more. We remain committed to helping our clients achieve excellence and drive meaningful improvements in their businesses.

      David is deeply committed to enhancing customer service across all industries. His passion lies in providing valuable mystery shopping insights that empower clients to take actionable steps towards improvement. By delivering these insights directly, David helps businesses create effective strategies to elevate their customer experience and drive meaningful change.


      Chloe Kinch

      Chloe Kinch

      Director of Client Success at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

      Chloe joined Proinsight Mystery Shopping as an Account Manager in 2017. Prior to her role at Proinsight, she served as National Sales Manager at Parkwood Leisure, where she gained extensive experience in exceeding customer expectations and developed a deep understanding of the leisure industry.

      Chloe quickly advanced within Proinsight, progressing from Account Manager in 2017 to Head of Client Success in 2020, and ultimately to Director of Client Success and shareholder in 2022. In her current role, she leads client relationships with prestigious brands such as David Lloyd, Dyson, and Apple. Chloe is responsible for designing bespoke mystery shopping programs tailored to each client's specific needs, aimed at enhancing customer service and optimising sales processes across various industries, including real estate, hospitality, retail, leisure, and more.


      Lucy Winn

      Lucy Winn

      Brand and Communications Manager at Proinsight Mystery Shopping

      After graduating with a degree in Marketing from the University of Westminster, Lucy successfully grew and scaled her own e-commerce womenswear clothing business over a span of four years, expanding into international retail markets including Japan, the US, and France. With extensive expertise in brand development and digital communications, Lucy has driven commercial growth through strategic initiatives like influencer marketing, digital campaign management, and both online and offline retail expansion.

      In July 2024, she joined Proinsight Mystery Shopping as Brand and Communications Manager, where she leads the strategy and management of all digital platforms, including the website and social media, with a focus on driving shopper sign-ups and generating client leads. Additionally, she oversees event management for both internal company days and major external summits like Connect CX. At these events, we emphasise the critical importance of exceptional customer service across various industries, positioning it as a cornerstone of a brand’s overall UX strategy.