Boost Customer Service with SMS Chatand Messaging Apps
More than 85% of the global population owns a smartphone, and 45% use it at least once a dayto shop online, which means businesses need to develop fast and “on-the-go” communicationwith E-commerce users. The rise of SMS and text-based messaging apps such as Facebook,Instagram, Whatsapp, and Telegram in recent decades has enabled customers to connect withbusinesses quickly for enhanced customer service.SMS chat and messaging apps are highly effective and cost-efficient for businesses tocommunicate with customers, resolve support issues, answer queries on the spot, and generatemore sales and conversions.Let’s explore some of the best practices and benefits of using text Message-based customerservices and how they can help boost your business. What is a Text or Message-based Customer service? Text or message-based customer service refers to the support provided by a company tocustomers through SMS chat or third-party messaging apps. It is entirely virtual and requires noverbal interaction.As a popular and preferred mode of communication, 61% of E-commerce customers prefertwo-way texting for customer service and support. It stands out in digital marketing because itallows agents or support representatives to deal with multiple clients simultaneously withoutdelay, hence providing an easy, one-stop solution to customers without switching to differentplatforms Best Practices For Boosting Customer Service With SMSChat and Messaging Apps As you start offering text-based customer support in your business, use some of the followingbest practices to maximize the effectiveness of your workflow and achieve better results. 1. Establish a Text-First Customer Service Customers do not need to get on long, frustrating calls or wait for email responses for generalqueries and issues that can be resolved quickly. Establishing a simple and speedy text-basedcustomer support system provides accurate information in a streamlined way, leading to happierand more satisfied customers.A great way to do this is to set your “Contact Us” or “Info” page in a way that SMS chat andmessaging apps become your first line of communication. You can always move to email orphone conversations if the customer needs more in-depth information or technical assistance.Pro Tip: Always remember speed is an essential factor in sending instant messages. FirstResponse Time (FRT) is a crucial aspect of customer service. Keep track of your response timeto the customer for a consistent performance evaluation. 2. Create A System To Prioritize Queries Once the customer service messages start coming in, consider how you will handle them. It’sbetter to get a system to tackle a high volume of messages efficiently.You can start by prioritizing:● Customers with an urgent or serious query: A customer reporting a fraudulentpurchase with their debit card or someone reporting a stolen or misplaced order needsimmediate attention on a priority basis.● Customers with long waiting times: These customers may grow impatient, givenegative feedback, or not work with your business. Segmenting customers based onurgency is a sensible approach.● Loyal and VIP Customer: Old and loyal customers who have been doing business for along time should be provided with the utmost support and satisfaction. 3. Train Your Customer Service Agents Your customer support agents must have a good grasp of SMS and messaging apps as aregular everyday mode of interaction. Train them on using these channels professionally fordigital marketing and business development. Here are some simple steps to effectively trainyour staff:● Every message your staff sends must create a positive impression of your brand.Business communication should be clear and concise in a friendly tone, avoiding jargonand emoticons.● Even in written communication, active listening is essential. Agents should thoroughlyread a customer’s message and understand their needs before responding.● Customer support staff should be well-equipped with a comprehensive list of FAQs andtheir responses. 4. Integrate Automation With Human Support One thing that makes text-based customer support more cost-efficient than other serviceoptions is automation. There is a huge scope of AI-driven chatbots and automation services tostreamline your workflow. Set automated replies to repetitive queries instead of manuallyresponding to every customer to save time. Creating auto-responses and ready-to-send texttemplates provides prompt customer services without getting agents involved in everything.Try to create a balance of human and AI workforce. Text-based customer service is ameaningful and personalized form of interaction, and sometimes, customers may want todiscuss certain queries with one of your support staff. 5. Choose A Reliable Platform It’s essential to work with a professional and reliable service platform to create an effectivecustomer support system. With numerous options available, choose the SMS customer serviceprovider that has the right features, which makes it easy for you to promote your business andcollaborate with other platforms such as:● Two-way SMS chat● Scheduled text messages● Send text online● Automation and AI support● Integration with other messaging apps such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Line,etc. 6. Use It For Reminders, Feedbacks and Follow Ups Use SMS and messaging support to boost customer interactions into meaningful relationshipsby showing that you genuinely care about them. Let’s say:● A bakeshop and cafe cares about their customers by reaching out when they haven’tvisited in a while. They offer a discount to show that they miss their regular clients.Customers love to respond to these types of messages.● Send reminder messages to your busy customers for a doctor, salon, or other importantappointments they may forget.● Collect quick feedback reviews with the help of SMS to know about the customer’soverall experience with your brand. This will help you identify your areas of improvement. Benefits of SMS and Text-Based Customer Services SMS chat and messaging apps are easily accessible and convenient communication channels,best for customer service: 1. Cost Effective An average customer service call lasts for about six to seven minutes, whereas a service agentcould respond to multiple messages during this time. This is a cost-effective method for neworganizations struggling with labor and equipment costs. 2. Flexibility Text messaging and app-based communication is highly flexible. Unlike phone conversations,the support staff can share relevant links, photos and PDFs to speed up the service. 3. Team Productivity Customer services through messaging considerably reduce the call volume, and support staffcan handle multiple queries simultaneously, reducing work stress and increasing productivity. Conclusion If you are looking for a reliable Text-based services provider …
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