Channels for Live Support
From the definition and nature of live support, it is quite the rational inference that it can be carried out in a variety of ways. These include;
1. Calls
This is one of the most popular forms of live chat system. It involves the creation of a hotline for a business, which is usually made available to customers by being branded on the product, manual, advertisement boards, websites, etc. Thus, customers have access to it easily, and can place a call through immediately if they realize a problem or have an enquiry.
There are usually customer service agents manning these lines, though it may be initially answered by an automated system. Hotlines may be available only during working hours, or 24/7; and it may be toll-free or service charge-attracting.
2. Mail
This is perhaps the most widespread form of live support. With the evolution of the electronic mail, it has become incredibly easy for businesses to create emailing addresses or text lines through which they can communicate with customers.
These customers can send in their requests via the mailing information provided, and a response would be delivered through any designated media. While emails are usually free, text lines may attract service provider charges as applicable.
Enhance your Customer Support Experience with Live Chat Software
3. Physical Care Centers
This is the traditional method of live support. It involves having to go to a physical office of the business to have complaints or enquiries get attended to by employees in person.
Considering the large-scale adoption of the commercial internet and how far businesses have reached in recent times, it is no longer a very popular method of live support. Regardless, it is still important as some issues are too technical to scale over long distances.
4. Social Media
Social media is a major driving force of the modern internet. Its power has been harnessed to fit into various fields, including business. In order to capitalize on the most active communities on the internet, businesses have become more active on social media, pushing their brands and engaging customers. Via this medium, customers can easily send in a report or complaint to the business’ official social media handle, and have it get attended to.
5. Chatbot:
This is a live support medium steadily growing in popularity. This medium involves deploying a live support software on a business’ website or application, and the software engages customers as a chatbot.
Customers can make requests or lodge complaints, and have it recorded and processed by the bot, all the while getting responses as and when due. The chatbot software process requests and complaints, gives the public a sense of security in the brand, gives answers to queries and information, and sends reports back to the employer.
The bot is just a tool to lift the burden on employees and be otherwise happy. They also report back or refer issues to the appropriate quarters to solve technical matters.
How to Improve Customer Retention with Live Support
1. 24/7 Support
Live support allows businesses to offer customers the 24-hour support experience. When customers are able to access the business at any time of the day, it becomes easier to build trust; and trust translates to continued patronage.
Customers would logically prefer a business that offers accessibility, especially if it is the first time the customer would be patronizing the business. Until they can easily vouch for the credibility of the business, they would prefer to patronize the business if they can timely access them in case of an issue.
2. Premium Support Experience
For most customers, having to contact Support means they have encountered a problem or two with the service rendered. Thus, it is not usually a very pleasant experience. What would make it even worse is having to contact Support and not receiving a response in time.
However, immediate responses from live chats offer customers that sense of security, and they are sure their complaints have been well and truly registered. That sense of security will make them trust the brand more, and the business gains a returning customer.
Customer retention comprises the efforts and strategies of a company to maintain the patronage of a customer beyond the first purchase.
It constitutes agents and technology, as well as the strategies through which they are able to interact with customers. This in such a way as to guarantee satisfactory responses to inquiries and resolutions to complaints.
Live support is the most peculiar kind of customer support there is. Unlike other forms of customer support that involve customers accessing instructive materials such as articles or manuals, live chat software prioritizes a hands-on approach that involves interactive communication. You can also try PlayStory, a brand new interactive video creation tool that boosts engagement.
