established customer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "established customer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a customer who has been doing business with a company for a significant period of time, indicating loyalty or a long-standing relationship. Example: "As an established customer, you are eligible for exclusive discounts and offers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Thus the other key asset for any company is its established customer base.

Harvard Business Review

Walking the line between clothes that both appeal to an established customer base, and move things on, isn't always easy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lehman, which already operates a dark pool network, will bring its trading technology and an established customer to the project.

The New York Times

Print reps were used to selling in long cycles, to an established customer base, with a generic, nontargeted advertising product.

Harvard Business Review

He admitted he could do a better job of building the list, but he thinks he's already getting good word of mouth from his established customer base.

The New York Times

Spring's collection, by contrast, felt more cautious and pitched to an established customer, who is more interested in twists on classics from their favoured brand rather than a new aesthetic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

You can use technology like Facebook Custom Audiences to target users similar to your established customers, allowing you to generate higher quality leads and boost your ROI.

Forbes

I have established customers".

The New York Times

"You're not going to get funding unless you can show established customers and revenues".

The New York Times

In most cases the cuts take effect immediately for new borrowers and on February 1 for established customers.

The Guardian - Business

Finally, having established customers' need and ability to buy, the team must ask, Will the customer buy the product?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an "established customer", consider quantifying the length of their relationship (e.g., "an established customer of five years") to add credibility and specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "established customer" for customers with very short purchasing histories. Reserve it for clients with a significant and consistent relationship to accurately reflect their value and history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "established customer" primarily functions as an adjective-noun construction modifying the noun "customer". It denotes a customer who has a history of transactions or a long-standing relationship with a business, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "established customer" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a customer with a significant history of transactions or a long-term relationship with a business. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it functions primarily as an adjective-noun construction, serving to identify and categorize customers. The phrase is most frequently used in news, media, and formal business contexts, indicating a professional register. While the examples of Ludwig show consistent use, it's important to quantify the duration of the relationship when possible and avoid overstating the "established" status for customers with limited history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-established customer

Adds emphasis to the established nature of the customer relationship.

existing customer

Focuses on the customer's current status rather than the length of their relationship.

long-term client

Emphasizes the duration of the business relationship.

loyal patron

Highlights the customer's faithfulness and repeat business.

returning customer

Focuses on the act of the customer coming back for more business.

regular client

Indicates the customer's consistent and habitual engagement.

valued customer

Emphasizes the importance and worth of the customer to the business.

repeat buyer

Focuses specifically on the customer's purchasing behavior.

dedicated customer

Highlights the customer's commitment and allegiance to the brand.

seasoned client

Implies experience and familiarity with the business's offerings.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "established customer"?

Alternatives include "existing customer", "long-term client", or "loyal patron", depending on the specific context.

How can I effectively use the term "established customer" in marketing materials?

Highlight benefits exclusive to "established customers", such as loyalty rewards, special discounts, or personalized services, to reinforce their value and encourage continued engagement.

What is the difference between an "established customer" and a "potential customer"?

An "established customer" has a transaction history and ongoing relationship with your business, while a "potential customer" is someone who has not yet made a purchase but is considered a prospect.

Why is it important for businesses to focus on retaining "established customers"?

Retaining "established customers" is often more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. They are also more likely to make repeat purchases and provide valuable feedback, contributing to sustainable business growth.